The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1878-08-01
THEMYSTERIOUS PORTRAIT,

In 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 footstep on the
staircase outside, it was evident that she
expected a visitor.
At last the door opened and tall, ais
tocratlc-looking young man entered the
room.
''Harry, what long time YOU have
been!' she exclaimed, sprnging up from
her seat "What news have you brought?
What does your father say about our
our marriage?' hcsitating with the shy.
ness Of bride at the last word
"Rea l for yourself, Helen," replied her
husband, handing her an open letter, and
standing opposite her, leaning against the
marble mantleriece, watching intently
the expression of her fair face as she
read
I'm marrying as you heve 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 foreverr'
"Harry, why did you not tell me of
this before?" exclaimed Helen, as she
read the hard. cruel words, looking up
through the tears into her husbands face.
My darling, what was there to tcll:"
How could know that my father would
act in this hard hearted manner? I
knew that he wished INC to marry the
daughter CT nobleman living near Mar
ston Hall, and so unite the two estates
bat l had no idea he would cast me off
tor disobeying his wish. And even if
had known it, he added, fondly clasping
his young bride to his heart, and k1ssin: ,
| 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 its fair acres. But.
my love" he continued more seriously.
"there is an end to your promised 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 e15,0O0 year,
"Hush, Harry! Please don't talk like
that" she said, hurt at his bitter tone.
"Yon know that it was not of diamonds
and dress I was thinking. But what are
you going to do, Harry?" she continued,
laying her hand upon his erm, and look.
ng up sadly into his pale, set face.
You cannot work for living"
"And why not work tor living?" he
reclaimed, in a determined voice. "Be-
ausc l happen to be the son of baro-
net, brought up and educated without
any ideas or knowledge of business2 But
will work for my living, and how INV
little wife that I am 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 linsiy
upon his arm.
TWAS while pursuing his favor1tc study
Of oil paintings among the famous gale
ries Of Rome that Harry Marston wooed
and won Helen Tracy, governess in an
English family residing in Italy, and the
orphan daughterof an officer in the army.
Before be had known her month. Harry.
who had been in leve-or .fancied himself
in love--with At least half dozen differ