The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1877-12-11

| ~ was Il siieittld 'lldi tuSnt. ia
plate glass windows were shaded by or.
ange and white curtains that Law piled i.
cleaning, golden beauty upon the carpe
the deep pile of which received Maud,
Campbell's light football and gave bach
no returning echo.
With an impatient gesture she threw
herself in the embrace of II capacious
arm chair, and her eyes lighted with an
ger, her checks flushed, her lips dainiil,
apart, disclosing the pearls within, she
gazed at the luxury arounl.
Flowing laces, rustling satins, droop
ing silks, clinsing velvets, diamonds, car
ridges, servants. plate, dinners, admra
ton, envy-all these were the pictures
that crowded through Maude Compbell's
restless brain as she lag, half in dreams
A sudden spasm of intense pain throb
bed over her face; then she sprang to hel
feet, holding her hands tightly over hel
heart.
"Lncy is right I am bartering al
! that is dear to me--all | hold sacred
all that ! love--for money! .
! She went to tue mirror--a tall, gold
framed glass, whose apex, surrounded by
winged serpent, with eyes of satanic
allurement, reached the ceiling; whose
base rested on a marble stand, which two
cupids held on their dimpled shoulders.
A flush OF pardonable pride met her gaze
as she viewed her reflection, and a glori
Gus reflection it was. Peerless lel
lovers called her, and truly it was the
truth.
Suddenly frown, first OF thoughtful
ness, then of sorrow, afterward OF anger
crept over her brows and with ges
ture of impotence, she turned away from
her review of herself.
81 know | am beautiful. People tel
me so, and can see it myself. And o.
| what avail is it, unless can make my for
tune by it? | may be pretty, but an
certainly poor; yes, indebted to gene
Gus charity for The very shoes on my fee
aud the very food | daily eat! !"
Her teeth closed with very hiss, ant
she murmurcd to herself:
True, Mr. Mordaunt and little May
have been father and sister to me, yet
am dependent; they are simply almo
ncrs of their own bounty. l must erich
| should die were | deprived Of the luxu
ries, the elegance that have surrounded
me since | was tiny little girl
sho arose, and from little invalt
drawer drew forth q miniature portrait
and her eyes full of that eager, passion
ate light, pressed it to her lips,
Justin, my darling, my darling, thl:
is my last caress; it is my farewell . Oh
Justin, you never will know how my
heart aches with love for you; how
long to have you fold me to your heart
and tell me how you love me. Justin
nv dazzling. cannot marry you. 1o'
are poor; and-and Mr.. Jameson is
worth half Million
With q trembling, icy hand, Maud'
closed the drawer; she paced the floor
second, clutching her own hands in ago
nv of that unnatural sacrifice. Her hear
cave many superhuman struggle
AGAINST the bond Of slavery she unreen
Timely cast about it; and the emotionles
bewilderngly fair and heartless, Maud
Campbell went forth to light her wa
from love and content to riches and am
bition.
Above them the clear, blue sky, aroun'
them the leahesn chestnuts, their brow
| arms all aglow with the glory Of the set
ting autumn day; beneath them the leaf
strewn forest path, where. n perfec