The Osceola times., 1879-01-25
MAUD HESKETH,


this, would not have believed word
of it," So said Percy Herbert to his
friend Harry Liston, as they smoked
their cigars outside the library win
o. the house they were staying at. at
seems perfectly incredible that a girl
like Maud Hesketh could be what you
describe her."
at is a fact, nevertheless, Percy; she
is a complete fortune-hunter, and, far
from Disgusting the fact, rather boasts of
IL than otherwise 1t is not much more
than month since saw her, and then
she did not hesitate to speak her senti>
ment. on the subject. AN glad have
arrived in time, old fellow, as I verify
believe you are on the eve OF falling in
love with her,"
"I do love her." said his friend slowly,
p nd with a sigh; "and was vain and
foolish enough to think she cared some
thing for me. However, the charm IL
now broken for II there is one thing /
have contempt for more than another
It is a mercepsry woman. The woman |
marry must love me for myself alone,
and net for what possess
The above conversation was overheard
by Maud Hesketh herself, who had res
tired to the library for an hour or two's
quiet reading; and hearing her name
uttered by Percy Herbert, curiosity to
hear what he had TO say about her made
her creep to the open window, where,
screened from observation bv the heavy
curtains. she listened 10 all that was
said. Never was the old adsge, "List.
eners hear no good of themselves" 40
thoroughly verified "a in this instance I;
and, overwhelmed with shame and dis.
NAV, she fed to her own room, where,
locking her door, she gave way to pas
sionate burst Of tears, none the less Bit
ter for knowing that the accusation
brought against her was true one, for
in a thoughtless moment she bad uttered
the words which were now to part her
from the man she loved better than life.
Maud Hesketh was the eldest Of q
large family, as poor as they were proud ;
for until the last two or three years their
father had been a man of large landed
property, but owing to the loss OF a
chancery suit was completely ruined
nothing remaining of his great wealth
but a few thousands. The crash had
been sudden and most unexpected, for
not only themselves but all their friends
had regarded the winning of the suit as
certain and great indeed had been the
CONSERVATION when their loss became
known. The old home was given up,
and they retired to q secluded country
town, where, unknown and unsought,
except by a few. they could live quietly
and cheaply. 1t was a great and sad
change for all, but for Maud especially,
who, not having been long introduced,
and always being made much Of, not only
for her beauty and brightness, but also
for her supposed wealth, the sudden
reverse OF fortune was almost more than
she could bear--and she was often heard
to saw that never could she marry any
man who could not restore to her all the
luxuries and pleasures she had lost. But
unfortunately she had made that remark
to Mr.. Liston, an utter stranger to her
who, staying with lady friend in the
neighborhood, had come with her TO call
upon the Heskeths; and who, hearing
young girl make, such remark, and not
knowing the circumstances of the case,
had very naturally drawn his own con-
clusions
One of Maud's greatest friends was an
old school companion. who was now mar
ried, and it was at her house that she
met Percy Herbert, favorite cousin Of
Mrs. Carlyon's. who was very anxious
to bring about match between the two
Mr.. Herbert was possessed of consider
able wealth. and was considered a great
catch, so that when :faud first arrived
she congratulated herself upon her good
luck, and laid herself out to be as fasci
mating a. possible. But before many
weeks had passed over her head, she made
two discoveries-first, that her heart was
irretrievsbly gone; and. secondly, that
money had nothing to do with II; for it
was the man himself she was in love
with, no that 1t was doubly CALLING to her
to hear her former mercenary views
brought to light, and to feel that not only
had she lost Percy Herbert's love, but
also his respect.
ooh! what must he think of me I?
How he must despise me ~ said the
wretched girl; and burying her face in
her hands she thought long and earnest
ly as TO the best way OF proving the
fslsity Of Harry Liston's opinion. "I
know what I will do" che exclaimed !;
"I will play Mr.. Liston of AGAINST him,
and let him see thst / can fiirt with q
poor man o. well o. 4 rich onc."
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