Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1878-08-01
THEMYSTERIOUS PORTRAIT.

In a small but handsomely furnished
sitting room in London hotel young
lady was sitting in an easy chair, before a
blazing fire, one dreary November after
noon. Her hat and cloak lay upon the
. table beside her, and from the eager, I'M
patient glance she turned toward the
door at every sound of a footstep on the
staircase outside, it was evident that she
expected a visitor.
At last the door opened and a tall, alis-
tocratlc-looking young man entered the
room.
Harry, what long time you have
been" she exclaimed, springing up from
her seat. "What news have you brought?
What does your father say ato our
our marriagc?' hcsitating with the shy
ness Of bride at the last word
"Rca for yourself, Hclcn," replied her
husband, handing her an open letter, and
standing opposite her, leaning against the
marble mantlcriecc, watching intcntly
the expression of her fair face as she
read
! I'm marrying as you have done, you have
acted in direct opposition to my wishes.
From this day you are NO longer my son,
and wash my hands of you forever -
Harry, why did you not tell me Of
this bcforc?' exclaimed Helen, as she
read the hard. cruel words, looking up
through the tears into her husbands face.
My darling, what was there to tell!"
How could know that my father would
act in this hard hearted manner? l
Knew that he wished me to marry the
daughter CT nobleman living near Mar
ston Hall, and so unite the two: estates ::
bat had no idea he would cast me off
tor disobcying his wish. And even if I
had known it, he added, fondly clasping
his young bride to his heart, and kissing
away the tears from her eyes, II should
not have acted differently. My Helen is
worth fifty estates, and as long as she
loves me shall never regret the loss Of
Marston Hall and it's fair acres. But,
my love-" he continued more seriously,
''there is al END to- vouEpremised shop.
ping expedition into Bond street. You
will have to do without diamonds, now
that your husband is penniless outcast.
instead Of the heir to e15, 900 a year.
"Hush, Harry! Please don't talk like
that" she said, hurt at his bitter tone
lyon know that it was not of diamonds
and dress l was thinking. But what. are
you going to do, Harry?'' she continued,
laying her hand upon his arm, and look
ny up sadly into his pale, set face.
You cannot work fora living"
sand why not work for a living?' he
reclaimed, ina determined voice. ,"Be:
ause happen to be the son of baro-
net, brought up and educated without
any ideas or knowledge of business? But
Twill work for my living, and how my
little wife tl,at1 ain not quite unWorthy
OF the trust and confidence she reposed
in me when she placed this little hand in
mine," he added, STOPPING to kiss the
small white hand that rested conf lingly
j! upon his arm. -. ...:4.!.>.n.......
twas while pursuing his favorlte study
Of oil paintings among the famous gale:
ries of Rome that Harry Marston wooed
and won Helen Tracy, governess in al
English family residing in Italy, and the
orphan daughterof an otficerin the army
Before be had known her a month, Harry
who had been in love--or Iancicd himself
in lOye--With at least half q dozen differ.