Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1879-03-05
LOSS OR GAIN.

An old gentleman, leaning forward
Nth his hands clasped over gold-head-
'; cane. was seated in summer house
mated upon the grounds of a hotel at
fashionable waterlng-place. He was
!, corner hidden by dropping vines,
and his face expressed deep and appar-
sntly painful thought. The refrain of
M sad musing was, "Only one person
n the whole warld to love me, and |
hall lose even that love now."
On the other side of the summer
lonse divided from the side the old
gsntleman occupied by rustic parti
ian, two ladies, young and fair, rustled
m and taking out some fancy work, set
led down for q chat
One was tall and dressed in pretty
r9s.ume that was at once youthful and
natronly; the other was petite, blonde,
md not more than eighteen. Mrs.
CORTLAND spoke first.
Embroidery, AliceY' she said. " A
handkerchief corner. For your trous-
eau?'
Yes" and the sweet voice faltered,
while burning blush crimsoned the
air cheek. SIS it not pretty"
Very. l want to talk 10 you about
your prospects, child. Your aunt Mary
Tells me you are making splendid
match.
Did she? think so, Blanche. NAL
om is so noble and goodI'
But your aunt tells me he Is the IA
yerite nephew of the great merchant,
Hubert Bates, whose wealth is some
hing enormous. You have only to
help him play his cards well and he will
s.obably be heir to magnificent for
time. But what ails you? You look as
was telling you piece of news"
Il think aunt Mary has been misin-
iTmed; that is all"
Then he is not Mr.. Bates nephew?'
Il never heard him speak of a rich
uncle, and | am quite sure he has no
hope Of lnherltlng money. He has a
god salary, and my little fortune will
amish a small house; so we can make
comfortable, and, l hope, a happy
home
Did he never speak to you of his
uncle"
"N0t Of rich uncle. He has told
ned la lame uncle, his mothers broth
En- Who has been very kind to him, Civ
ag him his education and a start in
LeWOrld. He always talks of him with
ledeepest love and pity"
Piy?'
lie suffers tortures from the effects of
ahl that has famed him for life and
often causes him weeks of agonizing
pain, Malcolm tells me with tears in
bis eyes of his fear of losing this friend"
Il wonder if it is the same !" MUIR
nured Mrs. CORTLAND
Tell me, Blanche, some of the best
places to go for furniture and carpets.
twill be new work for me to buy
-oasehold goods, and aunt Sophyis not
we'll enough to help me much"
Oh, | will go with you. But | declare,
ilwere you, would wait and seeif your
aunt Mary is right. Your fortune will
never buy or furnish such a house as a
2ture millionaire should live in"
My fortune" said Alice Hunter,
WITH ring in her clear voice, twill fur
lsh house suitable for bank clerk
WIN 5000 year salary, which is what
my husband will have. If Malcolm has
amen uncle be is not the man to live IL
Tpectatlon of money to come to MIN
over grave. If this Uncle Hubert is
You say, very rich, Malcolm would
~@e money Won by the death of the
nearest relative and dearest friend he
s-' But don't believe in the money
'' ne never spoke of it to me-"
ihen the talk drifted into discussion
y tFda hnery, of furniture, and storie;
'ne young wife's content in her owr
married life.
But the old man leaning upon tn,
Esne was thinking: Can it be true
D'eS Malcolm think 50 little of my
money that will be his, that he ha;
-g'er even mentioned it to his promis
. Vile? Can it be that shall gain {
ing tender niece, instead of losinG
y. nephew when Malcolm marries %
b. LOVING his nephew 50 deeply, Huber
Dates had felt a keen pain at the new.
M, 'S netrotha!. He had never seer
'"ee Hunter, but he knew she haC
. g3 brought up in a circle Of fashion
WIS the orphan niece of one of so
H., gayest votaries, Mrs. Mary Hay
~. "al'e he unused upon the ccnversa
-- ne had overheard, the silvery
.-' '.e5 OF ms young neighbors still
.."''ing beside him, there was a sud
zr-. crash, Something struck hin
- .,' 'oe head, an he lost conscious
- -..es rom the summer house, from
.Ls Of people collected in tn,
..las, brought a party of men speed
., ~ t4e spot. The rotten posts sup
s. ~ :, me roof upon one side had giveI
M. I Ila the side and roof had fallen in
- --lrL-AAl and Ms Hunter 1yor.