Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1881-12-29
A CRISIS.

Mr.. Jonathan I. Ward, or, as his card
more modernly expressed it, 81. Tenn
pleton Ward, Jr," looked like man
supremacy satisfied With his fortune and
himself.
He had Just received particularly
gratifying letter from his sister in New
York, calling him to the city on a fat
tering errand, and, as he entered the
ears this pleasant October morning, the
universe seemed irradiated with his own
private sense OF happiness. He dropped
his handbag, cane and light overcoat
careIessly in the vacant corners, and,
thus comfortably extended, he found
himself able to contemplate his plebeian
and more crowded neighbors with ur-
bane condescension.
After few moments his fingers in
stmctlvely sought an inner pocket, and
he re-read the letter which had so con-
tributed to his self-gratulation. 1t was
from his favorite ster Rose, who had
married Henry Molineux, a wealthy
broker, and whose happy married life
had caused no diminution in her home
affection. The Mollneax were, in their
tho Wards, for they counted larger store
Of shekels and lands and antique heir
looms, and Roses alliance had been
fully approved by her brother. Rose
herself was a bit of a matchmaker, and
had long cherished a dream of double
connection between the two families by
the marriage of her brother with hen
husbands sister, Miss Winifred Moli
neux. Unfortunately for her plans,
shortly after he r own wedding her hus-
bands family had sailed for Europe, re-
naming abroad four years, and the OBJ
lects of her romantic schemes had never
met. Very deity, however, Miss Rose
Molineux had managed her cards, keep
ing up Miss Winifred's interest in the
unknown paragon by means of shrewd
illusions and items of interest, but new
CT waxing sufficiently enthusiastic to
alarm the shy girl with apprehensions
OF matrimonial pitfall arranged for
her unsuspecting feet. With Der brother
Mrs. Mollneux's maneuvers had been
less strategic and delicate. The matter
had been frankly discussed between
them, and Mr.. J. Templeton Ward ac-
kno Sledged h mself prepared to become
Miss Winifred's willing slave at first
sight Indeed, he nearly persuaded
himself that he was already in love with
her, and he brooded over his sisters let
ter with all the benign serenity of az
accepted lover.
Dear Templeton," wrote Mrs. Moli-
neux-" Henrys father and mother
have at length returned FROM Europe.
and have agreed to let me have Winifred
for the winter. ] want you to drop
everything else and devote Yourself to
us, to escort Winifred to all the exhibi
tons, symphony rehearsais, receptions,
etc, OF the season. She is looking re-
markahly well, and, what is better, has
returned heart free. | was afraid some
French Marquis would be attracted by
her dot, and snatch her up. / know
that you are very sensitive on such
matters, and viii not thank me for tell
ing you, but by the death of her Uncle
Robert III Pernambuco she has come i'll
to possession of thirty thousand dollars.
which, III addition to her expectations
from Papa MolineuX, makes hef very
pretty heiress As What s-hs-namt
says, "A crisis comes once in the life ol
every man. "
There is trite old saying in regard to
cup aud lip which for6ear quoting, re
marking only that it is mistake to con
fide delicate porcelain t. baby fingers.
Mr.. Wards cup would probably never
have slipped had it not been for baby
OF whose influence upon his fate he wa,
as yet blissfully unconscious. 1t was
sorry day for him when the three weird
sisters converted Mr.. Templeton Ward.
cup of happiness which had hithert
been as carefully guarded as though il
mad been verltable bit of blossomed
Dresden or fragile specimen of Sevres il
Pompadour rose-into plaything for a
ruthless ard irresponsible baby.
Mr.. Ward had drifted into day.
dream, when he was recalled Suddenly
to the actuahtias Of the present by
sweet voice at his elbow inquiring diff
IDENTIFY, "Is this aeat engaged?"
Turning SHARPLY, he saw a dignifed
but youthful lady, with face like that
OF one of uaphael's Madopnas His i'm
pressible heart paid her homage at once,
and he was about to spring to his feet
with spontaneous politeness, when the
pleasurable emotion was checked by one
of dismay. She held in her arms baby
-NIat NASHStttt uCdt, Cuubufs hflSuL,
ani, to parental eye, a cherub of a
child to Mr.. J. Templeton Ward, his
pet aversion and peculiar horror.
He looked at the child with au express
sion of intense disapprobation. 81
think YOU will be more comfortable at
the other eul of the car" he remarked,
slowly raising ms Eyeglasses and SIR
veylng the perspective of crowded
seats.
T" l will try another car" replied the
lady. with quiet dignity.
Mr.. Templeton Wards good breeding
asserted itself Indeed, madam, l had
not observed that there were no vacant
seats. Pray do not imagine me so eyre
| giously selfish /" and the little lady was
| quickly seated at his uis-a-vis. For
some time the baby conducted itself in
an exemplary manner, drumming on the
wndow-pane and watching the rapidly
wnriing landscape, aud Mr. Templeton
Ward had time TO observe that the lady
WAS dressed in that alleviated mourning
winch allows certain concessions to
fashion and becomingness in tn toler-
alton OF white at the throat and wrists,
aud solitaire pearls in either ear.
" You have fine little boy. madam. :"
The lady smiled. "She is a very good
baby"
SIR. Ward was momentarily confused.
"Yor little daughter resembles you
strikingly" hJremarked
Again the ravely sweet smile flickered
across the lady's hips.
. You could not compliment me in a
more gratifying manner. she replied.
lie tuln,d 10 the baby aud endesv-
orei to interest it in an exhibition OF his
watch and seals.
"What is her name ?" he asked, hop
ing that the reply might involve that of
the mother.
We eau her Dimple. Don't you
( think a baby the most delicious thing in
! tbs whole world 2"
I Well, no, it had never occurred to
( ne in that light before. but you know
/ have not had the advantage of an &C.
/ quaintance wiia Miss Dimple."
! You could not help liking her. She
never cries; she is absolutely angelic. .
Mr.. Ward was on the point of re-
marking, - said she ressmbled Won. y
but he checked himself; they were not
sufficiently intimate yet for hatterv.
The conversation became irpersonal.