The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1879-01-24
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The Mysterious Portrait.

In small but handsomely furnished sit
ting room in London hotel young lady
was sitting in an easy chair, before a blaz-
ing fire, one dreary November afternoon
Her hat and cloak lay upon the table be-
side her, and from the eager, impatient
chances she turned toward the door at
every sound Of footstep on the staircase
outside, it was evident that she expected
visitor.
At last the door opened and tall, aris-
tocratic-lcoking young man entered the
room.
Harry, what long time you have
been !" she exclaimed, springng up from
her seat. "What news have you brought 2
What does you, lther say about our-our
marriage 2" hesitating with the shyness of
bride at the last word.
Read for yourself, Helen," replied her
husband, handing her an open letter, and
standing opposite her, leaning against the
marble mantelpiece, watching intently 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
before9" exclaimed Helen, as she read the
hard, cruel words, looking up through her
tears into her husbands face.
my darling, what was there to tell p
How could know that my father would
act in this hard-hearted manner2 knew
that he wished me to marry the daughter
of nobleman living near Marston Hall,
aud 80 unite the two estates; but 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 kissing away the tears
from her eyes, l should not have acted
differently. My Helen is worth fifty es-
tates, 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 an end of your
promised shopping expedition into Bona
street. You will have to do without dia-
monds. now that your husband is PENN
| less outcast, instead of the heir of ELS 900
year.
Hush, Harry Please don't talk like
that" she said, hurt at his hitter tone.-
You know that it Was not of diamonds and
dress was thinking. But what are you
going to do. Harry 2" she continued, LAYING
sadly into his pale, set face. you cannot
work for living"
"And why not work for living 2" he
exclaimed, in determined voice. Be
cause happened to be the son Of baronet,
brought up and educated without any ideas
or knowledge of business But will work
for my living, and show my little wife that
l 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 confdingly upon his arm.
1t was while pursuing his favorite study
of oil paintings among the famous galleries
of Rome that Harry Marston wooed and
won Helen Tracy, governess in an English
family residing in Italy, and the orphan
daughter of an officer in the army. Before
he had known her month, Harry, who had
been in love-or fancied himself in love-
with at least half dozen different young
ladies in as many months, felt that lie had
at last met his fate.
Delighted at the idea of being loved for
himself alone, he had not told her of his
real position, and it was not until after the
marriage ceremony was over that Helen
discovered that she had married the eldest
son of baronet, and the heir to an estate
producing $4,000 year.
1t was not without some inward misgiv
ings that Harry wrote to his father telling
him of his marriage, which were more thar
realized, as we shall see by the letter from
Sir Philip Marston, which awaited him al
his club on his return to England with hi
bride.
But, full of confidence in his ability t.
maintain himself and his young wife by
his own exertions, and thinking that surely
his father would relent and be reconciled t.
him after time, Harry troubled himsel
very little about his lost inheritance; ane
though their new home--consisting of thre
small poorly-furnished rooms in bacl
street-was very different from the CRANE
.. old mansion to which he had hoped to TAX
his bride, he set to work cheerfully at hi
favorite art, and tried hard to earn q Twin,
by painting pictures and portraits. But b.
soon found that 1t was not so easy as b.
thought.
If was all very well when he was feir I,
karston Hall, and studied painting mersl,