The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1877-05-19
WON AT LAST.

Aplain woman and pink cotton handkerchief
arc not the most promising materials for pic
ture. But Mary Cromford, though plain, had
graceful 6gure, and the pink handkerchief I
which sha was hcnming formed pretty cUli-
trast 10 her white dress as shO' sat on tho
edge Of a little chaMh In Swiss valley. ShO
was healthy, sweet, graceful English girl, and
she aud her bit Of pink cotton formed no Mn-
worthy center to the Sccno Of hill aud dale.
FraulCin Muller her former goycrneSs, sat
beside her. The stiff, tight dress, tho hair
Primly laid over the EARS, tho broad hat tied
with a big bow under the chin, bespoke her
nationality.
Mary'S position was difficult one. Adopted
when she was child by distant relative, a
rich bachelor. she had been recognized as Ills
daughter, and though tho fine old house where
they dwclt, with It's park and surrounding land,
wtre entailctl OF male heir. It was known that
that heir had offended ul4 old man, and noone
was surprised when, on his sudden death, tho
only will dated many years back, was found to
leave Mary CroMforl tho whole Of her benefac-
tors personal property. which by every means,
hC had taken caro- TO Increase at tho expense Of
tho estate. No one waA surprised except tho
heir, 3Ir. Santon, Il handsome, stern, proud
man Of over forty years, whose grave dignity
sat well upon him. and whose very agony was
uEIllllGN 10 ug bkulSA llH hlIOLH VI
tie. lie was poor man and hO found him.
self suddenly master OF handsome estate, re-
uuIring instant outlay and handsome income
to keep II from absolute deterioration. II his
unclo had folt no regard or consideration for
him. at least he might have respected the land
itaelf. Tho lawyers shook their heads. 1t
might not seem equitable There was no
holp for It.. No help for Il? Nlr. MAntOn
thought otherwise. Having made Slary's &C.
qInintRncc In the necessary course Of business,
hO one day demanded private interview, aud
with the utmost candur told her that she alone
could remedy the owl and save the estate by
marrying him that he had high esteem for
lcr qualities, that bis affections wCro entirely at
her disposal, AMI that he would make her
good husband. Mary doubted mono Of these
propositions Mr.. SlhntonS somewhat nsif
caudor had its attractions for hor, and, like all
noblO women, sho was infinitely attracted ly
the idea Of a srlf-Bacriico for tho sake OF JUS
tice. But this selt-sAcriAcO was trihe too hard,
for was there not Tom Derby, whom she had
loved for years. and who loved her well?
Sho thought lie loved hCr, but there was tie
pinch, for her uncle, with al old mans wisdom,
had Impressed upon hOr, with tho continual
dropplngS which wear away tho stone, that men
seek money, that II was known AEe would have
money, aud that therefore II beloved her TO
look 10 It, lest those who sought hcr hand
should bc rather seeking her purse. And when
Tom Derby had come'toO often, or fingered
too long, hc had thrown out hints that Derby
waB poor, that lIB expected, that hO hoped, and
80 on, till the poison had eaten into her soul.
aud yot hGt nature was 80 frank, 40 anthgonis-
tic 10 suspicion; but she was blindfoldCd by
that bllnd guide, the worldly wisdom OF old
age. Therefore, when she stood alone, when
Mr. Manson candidly asked her to sacrifice hCr-
self for him, his very fra kness and coolness
tempted her to yield, for, aho said, was II not
better to take cold esteem, honestly offered,
eo STS So E1sS isS SS' TS SS On b.-: NJ
When she ought to have given an answer, her
whole inner being rose up against tho fAlSO-