The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1882-10-14


think any one noticed it, yet | could not rid
myself OF the feeling thai Morton, who hap
Dened to be there, looked at me suspiciouslv
once or twice. Suppose he were to discover
everything and tell it to the club! 1t is too
hideous to be thought Of
At another house. where | had been obliped
TO sing comic songs and make a buffoon of
myself for two hours, my host-an enorm-
ously rich and ILL crate person-presented ma
with check for twenty-five dollars as left
the house. Ireturned it indignantly, but he
pressed it into my hand, saying, heartily;
81 amt gon' to take it back, so you may as
we'll keep it. You done tirst-rate this evening
-frst-rate 'Taint charity, but because
what YOU done is worth more than fifteen dol
lars bv a long shot; and when have pleas
ure expect 10 pay for it, like l do for every.
thing else"
TO avoid a scene, had to keep the money. I
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 account
for my board bill here, and settle some Of my
o her bills. The question that now troubles
me u.s. are they honest eXertions!
Since the evening at Mr.. Grddle's (the rich
manufacturer who gave me the check have
been to several places, at all of which, among
Others that | knew, | saw Morton. His man
neT Is utCOIhlllS luOSJ III pltdSduI' ne sdlu to
me the other night, with that satirical grin of
his:
" You're getting to be quite society man,
Valentine Never used to see you about so
much. It's always been my way but it's
something new for YOU"
felt sure he suspected something Another
time he said;
"By-the-way, thought you were going out
of town TO live! As YOU seem to have changed
your mind, suppose it is all right about the
Amsterdam!
! would not dare to join a club now. u
stammered out something about talking II
over another time, and left the room | begin
to hate him. He suspects the truth, and
knows that | am in his power, and enjoys it,.
FEBRUARY added to the notifications
| am exposed to- the feeling that | am sham
grows on me. | impose on every one wherever
| go. This thought has robbed me of my
peace of mind. However poor Twas before
had nothing to be ashamed of. Now am a
man with Secret.
FEBRUARY 81 have realized this too late
Last night was sent for to fill place at a
dinner table where four cen 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 with him ielt all the odium Of
my position. | was there as a convenience,
and nothing else. My relation to him was
l'AlCIN ii pGSllltSo OilCs NJ lOuSC hdo Oh
Washington Square, and was Od-fashioned
but magnificent. The dning-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 [ took into
dinner, and whom | had met before, but in
reality my attention was absorbed by a beau
tiful Young girl who sat opposite to me. She
had dark hair, brilliant COlOring, and deep-set
brown eyes, She wore an oddly old-laShioned
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 selfrespect. Miss
CORTLAND stood by the piano, and every one
was begging her to sing.
'My music has gone to be bound, +" she said,
land can not sing without it."
Her uncle would not accept this refusal,
and produced a portfolio OF old music,
His niece selected a duet for soprano and
tenor, and said that she would sing if any one
would take the tenor; she stood with the
music in her hand, looking obviously at the
circle Of men around her. Not one could sing.
Mrs. Delaney, my companion at the dinner
tab e, looked at me.
''ir, Valentine sings, Helen. I am sure he
will be happy to sing with you"
Miss CORTLAND turned to me with smile
SING this duet with me- Mr. Valentineln
Mr.. Courtland flashed n furious oIance at
me. which said: "Don't dare to sing with my
niece. y or All nv humiIiations this stuno ma
the most. Mr. CORTLAND however seemed IN
regret having shown so much feeling for his
ina49sy s9 yIf Viii ootge us by singing Mr..
Valentine" he said. stiffiy.
OF course | sang, although l was tempted
to refuse and leave the house instead. How
cot4Iu re4use MISS Courtlandf Her voice was
"a IulslIeTSynIPaIhelc &c; IL made me feel as
VhouSn l. couIu conilde In her. What if
9h0uia! es, ana be cut he next time we met
leiL paIniuliY the chasm thaf divided Us
SeH,Ie anu corulal as she was ana left as sooG
d" as ne song was over. l wonder whether
'',,il '> = 'o' "E am
'''n nave peeh out several Tunes
1 ,I "eeh' anu Twice nave met Miss CORTLAND
lier uncle never goes out, and Mrs. Delaney
chaperons her. She always seems glad to SEE
me "u1 certainty mas the most charming man
nG i. never NINA the Tact OF my being 6
WI Gu oePu'cure' Ley me ENJOY the goods the
SodS nave sent me: mat coniounded Morton
nc Is always AT MISS Courtland's elbow, anG
wnen ne succeeds IN engaging her to dance
uel3Ie no. lie looks at me with his insolent
s''Iile.
FEBK, AKf lo'-Morton malice is unspeak
aole' Feellng convinced as | do that he sus
pee my secret, it is positive torture to see him
Tux to Miss Courtland as he did last night
lie evidently spoke of me, and she listened tc
him. looking atm meanwhile with surprised
expression. That man has me in his power.
FEBRUARY u feel that it is unprincipled
to send Miss CORTLAND flowers. for two reason,
first, because | can not do it and paw nv bill,
as well; secondly, because it adds to nv decep
ton in making friend of her. and vet car
not resist the temptation to show her nv adj