Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1882-12-01

who was known to favor the intention.
Amongst all the clerks and workmen
in the great factory there was no one
so handsome as Walter Rodman. none
so quietly refined in manner, none so
great favorite with all. But he had
gone through thirty years of lie fancy
free. until Ellen Churchill came to the
factory.
! There was something in the noble,
refined face of the young girl that at
tracted Walter Rodman from the first.
That there was some heavy trouble
brooding in the sadness of her great
dark eyes he never doubted; but if ever
purity and goodness were pictured in
human countenance, they were in FL
len s. From his father he learned much
of the newcomer, of the quick adapta-
bility she showed for work evidently
new to her. of the almost masculine
brain that fitted her so soon to take con-
troll of the loom-room where over a hun
dred girls were at work.
OF her antecedents he knew only that
she brought lette- from the clergyman
of her parish, in a small town in New
York State. That she was a woman of
culture and refinement they could see
for themselves.
But Walter ROdman, by nature frank
and true, as his heart more and more
acknowledged Ellen for its queen,
grieved over the evident mystery in her
life. While in her conversation she adj
vanced noble and generous views, her
whole STYLE OF living was penurious to an
extent rarely seen in women of her age,
when living upon a much smaller salary
than she commanded. 1t was not mere
ly economy, but saving pushed to ex-
tremity.
There was struggle constantly in
the mind OF the young clerk--a strug-
gle between his love and his fear of re-
pentance if he urged his suit. 1t was
revolving to him TO think of his wife
conducting his household upon parsimo-
NOUS principles, refusing to bestow of
his abundance in charity. dressing mean
ly. and perhaps influencing him in the
same miserable habits. And yet one
hour with Ellen drove away all such
thoughts.
The low, soft voice, always tinged by
her habitual sadness. conveyed such q
mirror OF pure, tender heart, a Guilt
waited mind, a noble soul, that Walter
forgot the course, mean dress, the many
stories rife in the factory of Ellen S
stinginess. and knew he loved her as he
had never before loved any woman.
But when the silver tanKard was pre-
sented to Mr.. Rodman, and Ellen S
name was not upon the list of con ribu-
tors to the gift, Walter experienced a
sharp pang of disappointment He
knew that his fathers recommendation
had gained Ellen her first place in the
factory, that she had found firm friend
in him. and owed her rapid advance
ment to his interest and influence. And
yet she had refused her mite to the gift
that testified the good feeling of her
fellow-workers in the factory
Father and son had long been con-
fidential friends. and on the evening fol-
lowing the presentation the latter
opened his heart and told all his doubts
and fears. Mr.. Rodman listened quiet
ly.
"Yet you love Ellen" he said.
, Il love her." replied Walter. "but
l could never be happy with a misery
wife"
Poor Ellen. how little she deserves
! that reproachr' said Mr.. Rodman II
, shall violate a confidence reposed in me,
Walter. when tell you how YOU mis-
judge her. but l think can trust you. -
HAS she told you her secret?''
, ''No. / heard the story from the
Clergyman of Lenwood. her native vii.
lage, who wrote 10 me before she came
here. He is an old friend of mine. and
knew he could confide in me. | will
: tell you what he wrote to me. SIX
years ago Ellen mother died, leaving
/: in her care a sickly step-brother, theT
: eleven years old. Her own father had
! left Ellen pretty cottage. and she had
: n small income from the fruit and
| poultry on the place, while she made 8
sufficient living teaching music and
playing the organ in the church
, When her mother died. leaving Stephen
Grady, her step-brother. an orphan and
pennilesS (for her step-father before hi:
death squandered all her mothers little
/. fortune). Ellen promised to care for the
boy. Remember. she was but sixteer
: herself, though early care had maturec
: her ar beyond her actual years.
1.-The boy grew up like his father
: reckless of expenditure. loose in princi
? pie, yet tender to his sister-mother, and
one of those loving scapegraces who al
ways win some good WON ms devotion
He won Ellen's. She thought hersel
bound by her promise to her mother t.
a make every sacrifice for Stephen, anC
she faithfully tried to lead him ava,
from the companions and evil influence
that were running his life. Three year.
i ago friend of Mrs. Grady took Stepher
: into his counting house. Here he wa
= to learn the bookkeeping. and for
time he worked steadily. Then the baC
company which had ruined his boyhooC
; again exerted an evil influence, and h,
. had learned to gamble. Remember
Walter, he was but fourteen, and Eller
J but five years older.
y lone Of his accomplishments was tn,
power of initiating handwriting, and b,
the persuasion of some older heads h,
$ forged a check for two thousand dollar
4 on the firm he was with. The checl
passed the bank undetected, for tn,
n Cashier was in the habit OF paying ovel
n large sums to Grady. But when it wa
!. returned TO the firm the forgery wa
: discovered and traced to Stephen
when the truth came out that he hat
!, gambled away the entire amount. an,
: the two men who had urged the Grim,