The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1879-11-13
MAUD'S LOVE STORY.


A long, pleasing July day was come
TO its sunsetting, and the fervent heat
that crowned the sunshiny hours since
early morning was giving way to a soft
westerly breeze that stirred through the
trees, and lifted the short waves of hair
off Maud Templeton's sweet, upturned
face as she turned and looked wistfully,
thoughtfully in Neal Howard's eyes,
that were holding an expression of
half-frowning, half-appealing displeas-
uTe.
al would not have believed it of you,
Maud. / have been so happy, so per-
fectly content and rested in your love for
mel / have been 80 impatient for the
time when our engagement should termi-
nate in marriage; and here now, you
coolly, camly tell me that, unless | have
better prospects you think it prudent to
indefinitely prolong our engagement"
He spoke sternly, eagerly, and he bent
his handsome head toward her in way
he had of doing whenever he was es-
pecially in earnest.
She listened, her sweet, grave eyes
looking at him patiently.
"You would see am right, if you
only would see, Neal. As it is, you only
make enough to take care yourself; then
how would it be ii you were saddled with
the extra expense of a wife? Aswe are,
i am well enough cared for, and we can
be very happy as lovers-only until 1
can see my way clear to come to you,
dear. Do you understand
Such loving, appealing look as she
gave him! But he curled his lips
haughtily.
"Do 1 understand? Perfectly Poor
people have no right to be happy, and
you don't care much for poor husband"
"Oh, Neal! don't be so harsh! You
know-you know love you; and no
other one in all this world, rich or poor,
will ever hear me tell him SOP
He was sufficiently convinced by her
argument to be angry at its correctness;
so he shrugged his shoulders, as if in
sarcastic unbelief.
You prove your words accurately.
Women who love generally desire not to
prolong their engagement. Or perhaps
you have some practical suggestion to
offer"
A little faint, deprecating blush
bloomed on Mauds checks.
II did mean to tell you of a chance
for you, Neal; but you are so sarcastic
and-cross"
"Not at ALL Cannot fellow ever be
in earnest? What is it, MaudT'
She sent a shy, anxious glance at his
face.
"It is the foremanship in the Man
haitian mills, Neal, and the salary"
Mr.. Neal Howard's eyes flashed out
his disdain, and he compressed his hand
some lips second, then interrupted her.
You seem to forget that l at least
lay claim to the position of gentleman,
Maud! A.foreman in factory? Thank
you! prefer my present position as a
tutor, even at the risk of your displeas-
ure."
She colored deeply; and yet the look
she gave him was eloquentw love and
womanly sweetness.
al want you to do just as you think
best, Neal. / only mean that think a
man is bound to do the very best he car
for himself"
so he is; but not at the sacrifice oi
his self-respect. A foreman in factory
Maud, Pm astonishedp
Every well, then, dear; consider
have said nothing to annoy to you. Al
] said at the beginning, / will patiently
cheerfully wait until"
He interrupted her hotly.
There shall be no waitingi You d.
not love me; you mean to rid yourself o
me as gracefully as only woman cal
do. You are free-you will not be an
noyed by having TO wait for meW
nd ha ,11unoaI au-o.y into he 1;tt1
woody dell near where they stood, ant
his quick, angry footsteps went crash
ing through underbrush and over twigs
as Maud stood where he had left her, he
face pale and dazed, then pitifull
flushing as the hot tears rushed to he
eyes.
He is angry with me, and meant S
WE'LL He will come back-I know h
will come back, when his anger cool'
and admit that / was right, or at leas
innocent Of offense."
And she went slowly back to the farm
house, the scarlet stain fading from he
face.
"Mr. Courtenayi"
Neal Howard uttered the name in
surprised sort OF way, as, leaping over
thick, low hedge, he came upon Ere
Courtenay and his sketching paraphe
MALTA under the shade of tree.
The handsome young artist lifted
pair of black eyes, that were Just lit
deprecating in their smiling expression
"Pm sorry to have been so stupid
near at hand, Howard; but what cou
i do? Pm sorry, pom my word, that
was an eavesdropper, and yet, Ho'
ard"
Mr.. Courtenay hesitated and look
thoughtful.
Neal frowned. He wasn't pleased
know that this stylish city gentlemi
was perforce confident of his al
Maud's little lovers tiff.
al tell you what was thinking-wh
struck me when / heard you speak. l.
me do you favor, to atone, if i can,
being q third party to your little conft
ence."
Howard's face was not cleared even
he intimated his willingness to knc
what the "favor" was that Ferdinal
Courtenay could do him.
From what heard, Howard, ta
1t that you would not refuse chance
fair good chance-to make a nice lit
pile of money. / can give you a chanc
would be glad TO give you a positi
that has been offered to me, and M
open, waiting my answer, which, no
ever, must be at once"
He was evidently in simple earne
and Howard was suddenly interested.
"Give me a chance, Courtenayl ]
20 to Nova Zembla il / could col
home rich"
Courtenay smiled as he took lett
from his pocket.
cts almost as bad as going to No
Zembla; in fact, is quite as far in an {
posite direction-further possibly. r
there's good chance to make money,
the firm who have written this. let
specifically say. They offer position
South Africa, at Port Elizabeth gu
civilized place-to look after their
terests there-dealers and importers