The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1878-07-31
Gold or DroSS Z?

"Why, yes, sir; yes, Mr.. Maxwell, near
ly everything is gone. 70 be sure there
is that five hundred year, and that place
in Vermont that you settled on your wife;
you may save that out of the wreck. A
trife-a mere nothing, am aware, out of
such noble Inheritance as yours, Mr..
Maxwell; but still it is something. Half a
loaf you know, sir, is"
He stopped suddenly at a motion of
Roger Maxwells hand. He was q lawyer
and used to this sort of thing and was not
much affected by the story he had come
out from New York to tell Mr.. Maxwell;
his rich client had speculated raBhly, and
had lost-a common case enough. A
week ago he was worth half million, to-
night he was not worth dollar--that was
all. There were his wifes settlements, of
course; but they were his wife's-and Mr..
and Mrs. Maxwell were two.
II thought I had better let you know at
once, Mr.. Maxwell" the lawyer said, ''its
sure to be in everybody smouth tomorrow.
And now, if Pm to catch that nine-ffty
up train, had better be starting. Good
night, sir"
"Good-night, sir" Roger Maxwell said
mechanically.
He was leaning against the low iron
gateway, his folded arms resting on its
carved top, and the black shadows of the
beeches shutting him in like pail. Up
the avenue lamps cleaned through the
trees, turning the dark November night
into kind of fairyland. The wide front of
the stately mansion was all aglow with
illuminations, music, flowers and lovely
women; and loveliest, where all was
lovely, its proud young mistress, Edith
Maxwell.
'"Two men, stragglers from the ball
room, with their cigars lighted, came down
through the gloom, close to the notion
less figure against the iron gate-only
another shadow among the shadows
so close that he heard every word they
uttered.
''Rather superb style of things, all this, "
one said. "When Roger Maxwell does
this sort of thing he does it well, Wonder.
full luck he's had five years ago he hadn't
q rap and that wife of his-magni6cent
Edith-is the most beautiful creature the
sun shine on"
"Too beautiful, my friend, for-she's
ice !"
"Ah! to her husband? Married him fol
his fortune, didn't Bhe2 The old story
very poor, very proud, and sold to the
highest bidder. Seton stood to win he,
there once, didn't he ?'
"It was desperate hing
more, the knowing ones say; but Seftor
knew better than to indulge in the luxury
of penniless wife. So Maxwell appeared
made rich suddenly and-shes Mrs. Max.
we'll tonight, and more queenly than ever
l watched her dancing with Seton half al
hour ago, and Well, / didn't envy
Maxwell, if he is worth half million
Let's go back to the house; it's going te
rain"
Suppose Maxwell was to lose his for
tune-what then"
"My good fellow, he would lose his wife
in the same hour. Some women there arr
who would 60 with their husbands int
beggary-but not the lovely Edith; ant
! he's a splendid fellow, too, is Maxwell
: There, the rain begins"
The shadows among the trees stood per
fectly still. A long, low wind moved tn,
trees, and the rain beat its melanchol,
drip, drip. Half an hour, an hour, twt
passed, but the figure leaning against tn
gate remained still as the iron itself. Blu
he stirred at last, became conscious he wa
wet through and passed slowly out of th
gloom and up the lamplit avenue and int
the stately home that, after tonight, woul'
be his no longer. Another half hour an
he was back in the glitter, dazzle and mu
sic of the brilliant drawing-room, his we
garments were changed, himself white
than marble, and almost as still. He ha
not been missed; his beautiful thre
months brids shone there in diamonds
silk and roses replendent-and who wa
there to think of the rich Maxwell? "Onl
clod," whom she had honored by marry
ing. The fascinating Gerald Seton wa
, by her side. How could she find time
= think of anything SO plebeian as mo
mari while in his enhancing company?
But it was all over at last. The eight
l we're fed, the garland dead" and Mr.
i Maxwell was in her drawing room in til
, = pale morning light, under the hands of he
maid. She lay back among the rose-velv'