The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1875-07-28

should be discharged 10y man of your
high position and unblemished character;
but will own that sometimes, with a
woman's folly, /. have wished that, for
the memory of my dead father, who
loved and trusted you, for the memory OF
the departed childhood, in which we were
companions and friends, some feeling a
little warmer, a little kinder, little more
aflectionate, something of the tenderness
of an elder brother, might have mingled
with your punctillious fuliillment of the
duties of guardian. would not for the
world reproach you-still less reproach
you for an act for which L only am re-
sponsible-yet | cannot but remember
that, if it had been so, this marriage
might never have taken place"
at is not happy marriage, them"
at is most unhappy one!'
Horace Margrave is silent for a few
moments. and then says, gravely, almost
sadly
my dear Mrs Henry Dalton'-he is
especially scrupulous in calling her Mrs.
Dalton, as if he were anxious to remind
her every moment how much their rela-
tions have changed-"when you accuse
me of want of tenderness in my conduct
towards yourself, Of an absence Of warm
regard for the memory of your dead faith
er, my kind and excellent friend, you ac-
cuse me of that for which | am no more
responsible than for the color Of my hair,
or the outline of my face. You accuse
me of that when is, perhaps, the curse
of my existence: heart incapable of
cheerishing a strong affection, or a sim
eere friendship, for any living being.
Behold me at five-and-thirty years Of age
unloved and unloving, without one tie
which | cannot as easily break as / can
pay hotel bill or pack my portmanteau.
Ny life, at its brightest, is dreary one
A dreary present, which can neither look
back to fairer past, nor forward to a
happier future"
His deep, musical voice falls into sad
der cadence as he says these last words,
and he looks down gloomily at the point
of the cane he carries, with which he abb
sently traces a pattern upon the carpet.
After ashort silence he looks up, and
says
But YOU wish to make some inquiries
of me?"
81 did. ] do. When | married Mr..
Dalton, what settlements were made?
You told me nothing at the time; and /,
SO utterly unused to business matters,
asked you no questions. Besides, / had
then reason to think him the most hon
orable OF men,"
"What settlements were nader he re-
peats her question, as if it were the las
OF all others which he expected TO hear
"Yes, my fortune! How much of il
was settled on myself"
Not one penny" She gives a star
of surprise, which he answers in his mos
nonchalant manner. Not one penny o
it, There was no mention whatever o
any thing like a settlement, in YOU
uncle's will. He left his money to you
but he left it to you only on condition
that you shared it with his adopted anC
beloved son, Henry Dalton. This i'm
plies not only strong affection for, bu
an implicit faith in, the young man. Tc
tie up your money, or to settle it on your
self, would be to nullify youruncle's will
The man that would be trusted by him
could be trusted by you. This is why
never suggested a settlement. l ma.
have, perhaps, acted in rather an unlaw
yer-like manner. but | do believe, IN.
dear Ellinor, that | acted in the onl
manner consonant with your late uncle
ahectionate provisions for the two per
sons nearest and dearest to him?'
'Then Henry Dalton is sole master G
my-of the fortune?'
"As your husband, decidedly, yes"
"And he may, if he pleases, sell tn
Arden Estate?'
"The Arden Estate is not entaile
Certainly he may sell it, if he wishes"
4, "Then, Mr.. Margrave, | must inforr
you that he does wish to sell it, that Ii
does intend to sell It,"
''To sell Arden HALF"
Yes"
An angry flush lights up her face, q
she looks eagerly into the lawyers eye
for one flash of surprise or indignation
She looks in vain.
swell, my dear Mrs Dalton, in m
opinion he shows himself very sensib
fellow, 10y determining on such a procee,
ing. Arden is one Of the drearies
coolest, and most tumbcdown old pile
J of buildings in all England. 1t possess
all the leading features of a country mar
S sion; magnificent oak panelling, col
( temptible servants offices; three seer
II staircases, and not one register stove: 81
e tapestried chambers, and:no bathroom
II a dozen Leonardo da Vanci's, and II,
3e one door that does not let in assassination
: in the shape of northeast wind; De-
lie park, and no deer; three gamekeeper
d lodges, and not game enough 10 tenn
| ha moot fo+ritouS pf 1papbarc'