The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1878-02-28


Quick clutched at. No." she said, because
You married such a cross old thingr'
Earl Marble.
SAVED In TINE.
Mr.. Marcus Wilkinson sat alone in
his Office, with dainty little perfumed
note between his fingers and puzzled
frown upon his brow. The note, d.
rected in a graceful, feminine hand, was
brief:
DEAR GUARDIAN: will be at the Office at ten
in the morning, to consult You upon matter of
Importance. MILE.
"a matter of Importance, !" muttered
Mr.. Wilkinson, twisting the note ner-
yously. "Can my fears be truep has
Cyril Ormsby proposed to my pearlp /
am afraid he has! And what can Isay?
What can urge against the man, if
Miles own instincts have played her
falsep Ten o'clockr'
The last silvery stroke of the mantle
clock had not died away when the door
of the office was opened by clerk,
and Mile Bentley entered the room.
just a few words to describe the ward
of whom Marcus Wilkinson always
thought a pearl, lily, everything pure
and fair. She was Of medium height,
slender and graceful, with thoughtful
face of exquisite beauty.
Very young, only eighteen, Mile
Bentley had borne early the sorrows of
life. Her father, having been wealthy,
had failed in business and committed
suicide. Her mother, delicate and help
less, had fought poverty feebly for two
years, and sinking under privation and
toll, had contracted fatal disease.
When all hope of life was over, the news
came that Miles uncle, dying abroad,
had left a large fortune to his only sis
ter. A will was made by the dying
woman, leaving her own tOo-lately won
independence to Mile, and appointing
their old friend, Marcus Wilkinson,
guardian to the heiress.
Sorrowing, and womanly beyond her
years, Mile had turned from her own
grief to a noble endeavor to solace
some of the trials of those with whom
her own poverty had made her famil-
lar. A cousin had come at Mr.. Will
kinsOn's request to make home for his
ward, and she resumed many long in
terrupted studies. But large por-
ton of her time was spent in the
humble homes of those who had
been her mothers friends in the dark
days of widowhood; and her gentle char
tiles soon extended far beyond this small
circle.
She had been an orphan two years on
the day when she came to seek Mr.. Will
kinson: as already described, and the
sorrows of her life had lost some of
their bitter sting, leaving only gentle
sadness behind.
"Well, Millie," said the old gentle
man, "what brings to me the pleasure
of seeing you to-dayP'
1T was about myself" Mile said,
the softest rose tints flushing her
cheeks.
"Dear me! l didn't think you ever
took such an insignificant person into
consideration at ALL
Now, Uncle Marc, please don't
tease"
''She wants something enormous
said the old gentleman, addressing the
walls. Whenever l am Uncle Marc,
l know what to expect next"
But just then the kindly man detect
ed signs of trouble in Miles face, and
the testing voice was turned at once to
one of tender gravity.
What is it, my childp''
cyril Ormsby came to see me last
evening, and he will come here to-day;
but l wanted to see you first. He wants
me to be his wife, Uncle Marc, and"-
she hesitated here" do not like
him!'
"Who told you thatp''
mo one; but see it myself
"Well, you are right. I do not like
him. But my like or dislike has no
control over you.''
"No controlr' Miles voice was
piteous. PLEASE don't talk SO. l
come to you as / would have gone to
my father
There, dear, l was wrong. Tell
me, then, as you would have told your
father, do you love Mr.. Ormsby?"
81 think he is the noblest man ever
knew. Ifyou should see him with some
OF my poor people, how gentle and
courteous he is, you would like him,
too. He has given me SO much SYM
pathy in my work, Uncle Marc, feeling,
as do, that the possession of great
wealth is but stewardship
And SO won your loveP'
My respect and admiration, uncle.
I cannot yet realize that man so noble
and SO good can really desire my COM
partnership and help in his life. But,
since he does, am glad and proud to
have won his cOnfidence -
Hem-yes! Enthusiastic, but heart
wholer' was Mr.. Wilkinson's mental
comment. Suppose you and l go for
a walkp' he added, aloud.
"A walkP' Mile said, in tone of
surprise.
Eyes. l have a friend or two l
should like to have you see. When we
come back will tell you why l dislike
Cyril Ormsby, if,' he added mentally,
"you have not already found OUT
1t was not exactly such a walk as one
would have mapped out for gentle
mans invitation to young, beautiful
girl; but Millie followed its course,
leaning upon her guardians arm, won
dering little, but never hesitating.
past the respectable portion of the city,
to quarter known as the FACTORY
Row. place where Mr.. Wilkinson
had never before allowed his ward to
60. For there were apt to be fevers
4nd contagious diseases lurking there.
1t lay low, and was unhealthy, and the
houses were of the meanest descrip-
ton.
.For noble philanthropist, partly
owning these factories and this quarter,
Mr.. Ormsby seems neglectful," said
Mr.. Wilkinson, dryly. II have an
interest in the factories, as you are
aware, but do not own one Of these
wretched houses. They are all Cyril
Ormsby's."
But" Mile said eagerly ..these
people will not let him benefit them.
They use his charity for drink; they
abuse any privileges he gives them.
till he is discouraged in his efforts to do
them any good.
:. Obi step in herer'
It WAS . poor place, scantily fur
nisbed. and cherries. Upon . cot-bed
= woman lay, in the last stages Of con-
sumption. She looked up eagerly to
Mr.. Wilkinson.
II hope you are BETTER he said,
kindly
No; shall never be better. II +
may only die in peace; it Is all ask. "
Mr.. Ormsby will not disturb you
now7'
Jennie has gone to him. Yestsr-
day he sent word that il the rent Wns
not ready to-day at twelve, out Ne mast |
30 I've paid it regularly for hvs
years, but BE- don't think Of that All