The Benton record. [volume] (Benton, M.T. [Mont.]) 1875-1879, 1877-01-05
Selected Story.
PENDELTON.

ietty "hy' man, 1t is simply
most exquisite face I ever saw in my Ii
Eleanor Stanley. did you say her nar
was ?"
Maurice Mort;mor's own face. as han
some as a gods, with its blue eyes, its dar
gold-brown beard, cut pointed, and flowia
away from his perfect chm, with its heav
dropping moustache, its gold brown hai
half curling over his splendid head-thi
fair faultless face of Maurice Mortimo
was all alight with enthusiasm as he turne,
for a second to look at the slender youn
girl who had passed his vision for On
second, with veil uplifed, as she stoppe,
for an ardent, admiring glance at groul
OF statuary in the elegant shew window o
the shop, just inside of which Maurice Nor
timor had been having chance chat with
one ofthe proprietors.
Old Mr.. Hard5nott smiled at the young
mans unusual interest.
"She il as pretty little bit Of flesh and
blood as one would wish to see, and as no.
bic girl as lives," he said. I've only
known her short time-known her bv
sight and reputation, mean-but all / see
and all I hear tends to heighten both ad-
miration and respect. Her story is like a
leaf from romance"
Mr. Aortimor'e handsome eyes were all
eager attention.
"4ou can see at a glance she is d young
lady Of refinement, and culture, and breed
ing-her very walk indicates it; and yet
she is very poor, so poor she was obliged
to open small lodging house few months
ago to obtain means Of support for herself
and young brother, an unfortunate little
kad-lama bl;4ad I sIs;.,l- :, le..#.rso-
en- or so, with a face like one of Guidos
angels"
Maurice suddenly Strengthened from his
attitude of lazy, graceful enjoyment Of Mr.
Hardknott's story.
"a boy, lame or blind, with face like
an angelo"
He repeated the words almc st mechanic
ally; then an expression ofsudden, bewil
dered surprise dawned on his face.
"Yes," answered Mr.. Hardknott "But
that is not the creme Of the story. II seems
that Miss Stanley was born and reared in
luxury. and all her life had been led to ex-
pect she and little Herbert would be her
grandfather's heirs"
Maurice interrupted him.
"Herbert The boys name is Herbert,
theu?"
Mr.. Hardknott looked little surprised
at the grave interest that had suddenly
taken the place ofMorimor's first curios-
ity.
"Herbert-and he and Eleanor-she was
always called Lenore-would have been
the heirs of the magnificent Pendleton es-
tate. Mortimer, you're smitten with her.
You actually gave nervous start then !!
But, as / was saying, the old gentleman,
in fiji of anger because the young lady re-
fused to marry somebody he had set his
heart on, revoked his will, and died very
suddenly before he had time to come tohis
senses, as everybody believes he would
have done. But Miss Lenore and little
Herbert are beggars, while some far.off re
Iativc of old Mr.. Pendleton's in the cour-
try became heir in consequence Of an IN
fortunate fit of wrath-fortunate enough
for him, but certainly unlucky enough for
pretty Miss Lenore. But see I've made
too long yarn; I've bored you, Mortimer.
After all, il was only pretty face that mo-
mentarly charmed you"
Maurice rose leisurely.
'No, you have not bored me at all. Very
romantic little story-yery romantic, Hard
knott. | suppose that yop will send the
things have ordered to-day. Iwon't keep
you any longer"
He strolled leisurely into Regent street,
50 handsome, 50 graceful, 50 completely a
man to WOO women's hearts-whom no
woman had ever yet been able to quicken
a heart beat. "
Eleanor Stanley So that's old Mr.
Pendletons granddaughter's name. Ive
heard of Herbert before but nobody evei
told me when the Pendleton estate came
so mysteriously and suddenly to me that
had beggared a girl with the pprest, no
blest, sweetest face ] ever looisd at
Wouldn't marry man she didn't love fol
the immense fortune | feel / have actually
stolen from her, and know she'd marry
the man she did love if 10 hadn't the sec
ond coat 70 his back. Eleanor Stanley
sweet Lenore what d sweet name-ano
Keeps lodging house! I'll know where
before I'm day older.''