Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1876-04-21

ham, said Mrs. Severn. Excuse me
for intruding in your study, but you
know we are such old friends, and"
mot at ALL" said Mr.. Moreham,
courteously. II am quite WE'LL but |
have been little annoyed by business
matters to-day"
Then it is true" said Mrs. Severn
quickly.
"What ?"
"The-the hints I have lately heard
about your business difficulties"
Her color changed as he spoke. Mr.
Moreham looked keenly at her.
My friend" said he, Suppose it
should be true p
Mrs. Severn grew paler than ever.
eve are very old friends" added he /.
''Our children are destined to be even
nearer and dearer to each other than we
have been. You remember my speaking
to your husband about those three West
Indian ships that | contemplated buying
last fall z They were freighted with ex-
| peusive cargoes, a few weeks since, and
u telegram arrived on Wall street this
morning saying that they were lost at
sea in the last gale. unfortunately
they were not insured. Three ships are
a fortune their loss is enough to ruin
any man"
Mrs. Severn sank down on sofa and
clutched at her smelling bottle.
81 don't care so much for myself"
added Mr.. Moreham, with his keen gilt
tering eyes still fixed on her face" but it
would break my heart to leave Leo un-
provided for. However, now that she
is engaged to your SON"
"Stop minute" interrupted Mrs
Severn. ''All of this takes me so COM
pletely by surprise And there is poor
dear Paul's future to be considered -
Though, of course, Leo. could never ex-
pcct him to marry a portionless girl when
SO much depends on his business matter.
''You think not" said Mr.. Moreham.
Certainly, said Mrs. Severn"
If Paul had lost limb or been scar
red by the smallpox, Leona would have
been as true as daylight to him." said
Mr.. Moreham slowly
That's quite different thing" said
Mrs. Severn.
"Perhaps But now" and Mr.. More
hams voice lost its confidential accents,
''we had better go into the ballroom
Our friends are beginning to arrive"
And Mrs. Severn, watching him as he
moved to and fro, welcoming his guests
with the calmly courteous mien of a
high-bred gentleman, thought to herself
what an old Spartan he was She con
trived, after while. to make her way to
Paul, when at the close Of Il waltz be
yielded up I,eona to the cavalier whose
name was inscribed for the next dance
upon her little pearl tablets.
Paul, she whispered, as, slipping
her arm through his, she led him towards
the cool hallway, "all this must come to
an end"
"What must come to an end ?" de =
handed the astonished young man.
"Your engagement! Moreham is
ruined p
p shouted Paul.
"lle told me so himself! And Leo.
with all her luxurious habits and fine
lady ways, will be no better off than a
dressmaker's apprentice"
Mother" said Paul, after moment
or two of silence, what DO you take
me for, villain Because upon my
word, you speak as if you did"
Paul p
81 love Leo. Moreham / didn't en-
gage myself to marry her money-but
her. If she were beggar, standing at
the crossings with her broom in hand, |
should marry her"
But, my son." pleaded his mother,
you will be ruined p
81 don't believe it, mother It takes
more to ruin a man than all that. At all
events, ruin or no ruin. love Leona,
and ! shall marry her !"
Bravo p cried voice from behind
the folds Of ancient silken tapestry that
concealed an oriel window beyond. and
old Mr.. Morcham himself parted the
curtains with one hand and confronted
them. Paul Severn, you speak like IA
man You shall marry Leo. And you
shall not marry beggar, neither Leo
is as much Of an heiress as she ever was r
"But, Mr. Morehsm," gaspcd Mrs.
Severn, who still chung to her sons arm
you told me-"
Il told you that the three West In
dian ships were wrecked. So they are.
But didn't add that | changed my mind,
and put my money into the Duddorsly
Coal Mines instead, where it has since
doubled itself Paul Severn, it is
great thing to trust ones ewc-lamb to
the keeping Of a stranger, but | believe
now that can trust fully and entirely
in you. You have been weighed in the
balance, and not found wanting As
for you, Madam" with Chcsteracldian
bow to Mrs Severn, have this night |
seen you in your true colors. Here
after | decline the pleasure of your ac-
quaintance.
And Mr.. Morcham adhered strictly |
to his word, obstinately refusing TO visit |
the Severn home, even afer Leona was
married 10 Paul
"Of all things" said Mr. Moreham,
Il detest a woman Of the world"