The Republican journal., 1876-03-09
Mark Oakley's Mistake.

IuEk
The clear, sharp voice of the speaker
rather suddenly broke up handsome Mark
Oakley's reverie, and he gave an impa-
tient start AS he turned and scowled at the
tall, prim lady who stood in the walnut
framed doorway like some staid Quaker
in her modest gray robes.
wv hat do YOU want now, Hester?"
Il want YOU" placidly replied Hester,
who was an old maid, and the torment
and terror of her handsome brothers life
"Me? wish you would not bother me,
Hester | can't see what can do for you ,
Mark threw himself back on the lounge
and fixed his great brown eyes on paint
ing that hung above the mantel, a hitting
that could not fail to attract attention, toI
it was picture of Il young girl. with mild
blue eyes, and pale yellow hair that shone
as it lightly touched with sunshine. Her
small hands were filled with a cluster OF
roses, and the thin lips half parted in a
smile that seemed to gloriiy the whole
face.
81 think you have stared at that picture
long enough went on Hester, following
the direction OF Marks eyes. Come up
stairs and help Phillis and move the fur
M1lk knew OF old that to hear was to
obey and with IL lnuttered ''hang it." la
zily proceeded to follow Hester up stairs
You spinsters have Il knack Of making
work. believe You are eternally upset
ting something, and | am bored to death
with your work, work, work =
Hester paused on the upper landing, and
looked down into the pleasant, nonuhalant
face Of her Adonis-like brother; for the
greatest grief of practical Hester's heart
was that Mark was constitutionaly lazy,
and tlirt, as heartless rs he was hand
some
II have labored for you all my lite,
Mark" she said, Il little sorrowfully
"Where is the money to come from to
finish your studies, il don't take a board
er now and then ?"
"Oh, a boarder, is it ?" yawned Mark,
not the least disturbed by Hester's re-
marks. "N hat is it this time-man or
woman?'
"A lady" sharply replied Hester Mrs
Mile Gray, of New York"
"A widow Why that's the original OF
tie picture in the parlor, HESTER replied
Mark, startled out OF his carelessness at
the idea OF meeting q woman whose pic
ture had become the ideal Of all his vacfl-
ton dreams.
Hester smiled grimly, but said nothing
but llark who was never "Worth his salt,
Phillis said at any physical labor, worked
with will, and actually whistled when
the cumberous oak furniture was arrang-
ed, and Hester pronounced the room ready
for its occupant.
"What brings her to the country this
late in the season?' questioned Mark
who longed to hear something about the
expected boarder.
But Hester vouchsated no reply. and
Mark went over to the window and az
ranged the curtains to suit himself, there
by robbing the drapery of llcster's prim-
ness.
"Ill get bouquet he said to himself
rs he looked at the old-iashioned garden,
where some late blossoms had Survived
the September frosts.
lie went down and gathered one, AT
ranging the white chrysanthemums and
late pansies so tastefully together that
pretty Millie Gray cried out with delight
when it caught her eye.
"N ho made it, Aunt IIestcr?' she said
holding it carelessly to her white cheek
Its SO lovely" "
(" Mark; i Testers lips closed firmly
over the word. ''Iles at home from col
lege now and as foolish as ever
Mile smiled, for the grave maiden lady
before her had been her mothers friend,
and although she had never met Mark
Oakley, she knew his folibles as well as il
they had known each other for century
Then followed a long, sober convers;l-
ton. at the close of which AIllie shool,
her haxen head, and said gravely:
"Oh. Aunt Hester, can't; it would be
cruel"
1T would be the best thing that ever
happened to him. said Hester Oakley.
"But what would George say p
The little woman in such deep mourn
inc looked down at her black robes in a
perplexed way.
. Never mind what anybody says,
smiled Hester, ''let things take their own
course
Nlillie promised: but she repented OF
her promise when she entered Hester's
parlor and met Mark, whose face looked
SO frank and handsome, and whose man,
mers We're as gentle rs a Womans. lie
was vain and egotistcal, however, anC
Milie found, as they fingered over theil
dainty tea, that Hester's fears were moi
untounded.
Ills love of sell will ruin him." she
said to herself, quoting Hester's words
For he lacked manlness, and that honest
Difference Of manner that appeals to every
true wolnans heart, and the noble selt-rc
lance and unseliishness that was Hester
Oakley's greatest charm, found no coun
terpart in the mind OF Il man who glorieC
in his handsome lace, as a child might
glory in some rare and costly toy.
Mark had made beautiful women the
study Of his life Few men as young in
years could as readily detect a flaw in the
face others considered perfect.
Milie Gray's serene face, although i
lacked the roundness and delicate sea-shel
tints that had characterized it when the
portrait above the parlor mantel wa:
painted, was one that he could have feast
ed his eyes on forever. There was pure
ness, nobleness born of Il patient suffer
ing and patient sorrow about her that ap
pealed to his better nature, and almost
unconsciously led him into the paths tha
hitherto his feet had trod lightly He hac
found women-women in all ranks of life
| handsome or plain, who, carried away
by his matchless beauty and winning pow
ers, were ready to drop into his mouth like
cherries. But Millie Gray was ditferen
from other women; her cheeks never
flushed when he spoke tenderly to her, OF
her blue eyes droop beneath his glances
but the thoughts of her heart, like hel
past lie were us a sealed book to him
She was deaf 10 all his tender phrases
blind to all his tender glances, and as the
days drifted into weeks, Mark began to
think he had found woman who coulo
resist the witchely OF handsome face.
He was to leave home in day or two
and instead Of rejoicing at the prospect
as he had hitherto done, the thought o
leaving the old homestead gave him pain
indescribable. He could not leave Millit
-Millie who was probably his senior ii
years and widow! He smiled bitterly
when he thought of handsome Mark Oak
| ley losing his heart to widow. And to
be in doubt of her affections, too 1t ex
asperated him to think OF it.
He entered the parlor one evening ant
1 ~.