The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1882-11-18

shot; and when have pleasure, l expect 70
pay for it. like do for everything else"
am certainly richer than was have
been able by my honest exertions, to supply
myself with the Injuries without which can
not exist; and when my present income is
doubled, / shall be able to pay something on
accountfo my board bill here and settle some
OF my other bills The question that now
troubles me is, Are they honest exertions?
Since the evening at Mr.. Griddle's (he rich
manufacturer who gave me the check have
been to several places at all Of which, among
others that knew, saw Morton. His man
ner is becoming most unpleasant He said to
me the other night, with that satirical grin OF
| his:
you're getting 10 be quite society man,
Valentine Never used TO see you about 30
much It's always been my way, but it's
something new for you"
felt sure he suspected something. Another
| time he said:
aBy the way, thought you were going out
| Of town to live? As you seem to have changed
your mind, suppose 1t is all right about the
| Amsterdam" ~
would not dare to join club now. ! STAN
mered out something about talking it over
another time, and left the room | begin to
that am in his power, and enjoys it.
| Feb added to the notifications ] am
exposed to, the feeling that / am a sham grows
on mo- / impose on every one wherever go
| This thought has robbed me of my peace OF
mind. However poor was before, had no
thing to be ashamed Of Now am a man with
| Q secret
Feb. 81 have realized this too late Last
| night was sent for to fill place at dinner
| table where fourteen had been expected, and at
| the last minute one had failed Mr. CORTLAND,
| the gentleman at whose house the dinner was
| given treated me politely before his guests, yet
4 pnlt ill
| was there as q convenience, and nothing else.
| My relation to him was purely a business one.
| The house was on Washington square, and
| was old fashioned but magnificent The din
| ing-room was hung with tapestry, and we sat
around the dinner table in carved arm chairs,
| made pretense of talking to the old lady
whom l took in TO dinner, and whom had
| met before, but in reality my attention was
absorbed by beautiful young girl who sat
opposite to me- She had dark hair, brilliant
coloring, and deep-set brown eyes She wore
an oddly old fashioned gown Of yellow satin,
cut square in the neck. found that she was
Mr. Courtland's niece and heiress, and lived
with him He was a widower without any
children After dinner, when the men went
into the drawing room, determined to leave.
Mr. Courtland's manner WAS too much for my
self-respect Miss CORTLAND stood by the
piano, and every one was begging her to
sing. 49,,
and can not sing without It,
Her uncle would not accept this refusal,
and produced portfolio of old music. Hia
niece selected duet for soprano and tenor,
and said that she would sing if any one would
take the tenor; she stood with the music III
her hand looking obviously at the circle OF
men around her. Not one could sing. Mrs
Drancey, my companion al the dinner taD!e,
looked at me
Mr.. Valentine sings, Helen. am sure he
will he happy To sing with you.
Miss CourtAuG turned TO me with smile
hat was positively bowildorlnS. will you
ing this duet with me. Mr., Nalentine?"
Mr.. CORTLAND flashed Il furious glance at
-, vnicu -sid, Itf,t dare to sing with my
.ssc" Or all lry h..mlliltion5 this stUu5 ma
tue most Nj Cyurtiani, however, seemed -
o. 10. al, SHOWN 80 III ich ie9nho, lst -La
| aanner changed.
Il hope you will oblige Us by singing, Mr.
valentine" ne said, stiitly.
OF course sang, although was tempteh %
efuse, and leave the house instead, How roasd
refuse Miss Courtland? Her voice was ex-
uislte-sympathetc IL made mo feel rs
Tough | could contide in her What
/ should Yes, and be cut the
ext time We mot L felt painfully
70 chasm that divided US, gentle and cor
.iu as she was and left as soon ~ the song
VAS over. | wonder whether L shall see her
gan?
Feb. ID have been out several times tAis
week. and twice have met Miss CourtlaHd
Her uncle never goes out, aud Mrs Delaney
chsperons her She always seems glad to see
me, and certainly has the most charming man
rs Never mind the fact of my being
whited sepulchre. Let me enjoy The goods
ne gods h.ve sent me. That cOnfounded
-iortOn lie is always at Miss Courtlaud5
elbow and when he succeeds i'll ENGAGING nor
10 dance before | do, he looks at me with his
lusolent smile
Feb l5.-Morton's malice is unspeakable.
Feeling convinced rs do that he suspects my
secret, it il positive torture to sec him talk to
Miss CORTLAND AZ he did last night He evil
IDENTIFY spoke of me- and listened to him look
| ing at me meanwhile with surprised express
sion That man has me in his power,
Feb 2o..-I feel that it is unprinciplod
| to send Miss CORTLAND flowers, for two
reasons--frst, because l can not do, 1t
| and pay my bills as well; secondly, be-
cause it adds to my deception in making a
| friend OF her, and yet | can not resist the
| temptation TO show her my admiration.
Feb 2l.-Matters are coming to climax
| Last night Miss CORTLAND said, with digni-
| fed sweetness that was irresistible; "Mr. Val
entne, | have noticed that you have never
been to see me- l have not asked you,
because supposed you would feel at liberty
| to come after having dined with my uncle,
81 assure you, Miss CORTLAND" ] said, Il
should of course have done so, but the truth -
have had slight misunderstanding with
your uncle, and l do not feel that l can go to
| his house"
or course added lie to the rest of my
duplicity Her face was lighted with charm
| ing smile "That is no reason for not coming
| YOU owe my uncle call at all events. l will
| be at home to-morrow--no, Thursday after
noon. Come in about five O'clock, and | will
give YOU cup Of tea. My uncle is never at
home until six o'clock, and when he does come
| in, never sees visitors. Even il you do meet
him, it will be good opportunity to make
your peace with him.
In a kir of dream recklessly consented
Morton came pushing up at that moment.
| BY the way, Miss CORTLAND, he said,
will you be at home Thursday afternoon!
II so, with your permission, Will call upon
you"
or course he had overheard me, and wished
| to irritate me- Fortunately some one spoke
| to Miss CORTLAND at that moment and she
turned away without having heard Morton
| For once nv anger famed out l caught him
| by the arm, and held it like a wise.
| '@Be careful" l said, between my teeth
4This sort of thing may go too far"
He gave me a furious look, and shaking me
| of, left the room.
Feb. -, , a. m.--My brain is Keeling. My
world is upside down. There is no use II
| trying to sleep. will write down what ha'
| happened. II may calm me. This evening
| when entered the house, where l was to en-
| terrain others at the expense of my self-re
| .pect, found I was before the time. Tht
rooms were empty, with the exception of m!