The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-02-05
MAUD HESKETH.

MAUD HESKETH.
1'If any one but yourself had told m
this would not have believed word Q
st." So said Percy Herbert to his trien,
Harry Liston, as they smoked their CT
gars outside the library wineow of tn
house they were staying at. It seem
perfectly incredulous that a girl ik,
Maud Hesketh could be what you de
scribe her."
Ut is a fact nevertheless, Percy; she il
8 complete fortune hunter, and, far from
.sSisguisinS the fact, rather beasts of il
than otherwise; it is not much more than
- month since I saw her and then she did
not hesitate to speak her sentiments on
she subject. | am glad I have arrived in
sime. old fellow. as verify believe you
are on the eve Of falling in love with her
II do love her," said his friend slowly
and with sigh; and was vain and tool
ISL enough to think she cared something
for me- However, the charm is now
broken, for if there is one thing I have a
contempt tor more than any other, it is a
mercenary woman. The woman I marry
must love me for myself alone and not
for what I possess"
The above conversation was overhead
= 5bY Maud Hesketh herself, who had re-
fired to the library for an hour or two's
quiet reading; and hearing her name ut
tered by Percy Helbert, curiosity to hear
tsAat he had to say about her made
her creep to the open window, where,
screened from observation by the heavy
curtains, she listened eagerly to all that
was said. Never was the old adage
-"Listeners hear no good of themselves,
80 thoroughly verified as in this instance
and, overwhelmed with shame and dis
may, she fled to her own room
where, locking her door, she gave way tt
q passionate burst of tears, none the les
bitter for knowing that the accusation
brought against her was true one, 70
In thoughtless moment she had uttered
the words which were now to part he
from the man she loved better than life
Maud Hesketh was the eldest of larg
family, as poor as they We're proud; fc
antil the last two or three years thei
father had been a man Of large lande
property, but owing the loss OF CHANGER
suit was completely ruined-nothing re
manning of his great wealth but fe,
thousands. The crash had been sudde
and most unexpected, for not only them
selves but all their friends had regarde
the winning of the suit as certain; an
great indeed had been the consternatio
when their loss became known. The oil
home was given up, and the
retired to secluded countr
town, where. unknown and III
sought, except by few, they could liv
quietly and cheaply. 1t was a great an
8 sad change for all, but for Maud es
pecially, who, not having been long ii
PRODUCED. and always being made muc
of, not only for her beauty and brigh
ness, but also for her supposed wealth
the sudden reverse of fortune was almo
more than she could bear; and she W,
often heard to say that never would 81
marry any man who could not restore
her all the luxulies and pleasures 81
had lost. But unfortunately she ha
made that remark to Mr.. Liston, an utt
stranger to her, who, staying with lad
friend in the neighborhood, had con
with her to call upon the Heskeths; an
who, hearing a young girl make such
remark, and not knowing the circun
stances Of the case, had very natural
drawn his own conclusions.
One Of Mand's greatest friends was 8
old school companion, who was now ma
ried, and it was at her house that 81
met Percy Herbert, a favorite cousin
Mrs. Canyons, who was very anxious
bring about match between the two.
Mr. Herbert was possessed of conside
able wealth, and was considered gre
catch, 80 that when Maud first arrive
she congratulated herself upon her GOO
duck, and laid herself out to be as tasci1
.ating as possible. But before mar
weeks had passed over her head 81
made two discoveries--frst, that h
heart was irretrievably gone, and, secon
~, that money had nothing to do with
tor 1t was the man himself she was
love with, so that it was doubly gallir
to her to hear her former mercena
views brought to light, and to feel th
not only mad she forfeited Percy aerber
love, but also his respect.
ooh! what must he think of me? Hc
he must despise mel" said the wretch,
girl; and, burying her face in her hano
she thought long and earnestly as to t
best way Of proving the faIsity of Har
Listens opinion. II know what / W
do" she exclaimed: II will play n
Liston off against him, and let him 8
that can firt with poor man as w
AS a rich one.''
So, removing all traces of tears, s
dressed herself for dinner with unjust
care. Never we're tables so complete
turned on any one as they were on pc
Percy Herbert that evening; for e1
since his friend had opened his eyes
.Mauds apparent deceit, he had be