Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-05-19
1R. WHITMARTHS CRIME.

! d. w Ill Mhhla D Uni III L.
Young DR.. Whitmarth, although equally
devoid OF impotence and money, was
greatly liked by all the ladies in his native
town OF Purview. Scarcely any of his fair
acquaintarcas had ever thought of him as
a possible husband, for great many city
families lived at Purview during part of
the year and they had set the tone of the
place with the effect that all the young
women, including, Of course, their own,
were fully convinced that to marry poor
man was about as reprehensible an indis
erection az a girl could commit Occasion
ally one of the Doctors young admirers
would venture the opinion that Mr.. Whit
msrth would make very stfec.ionste and
careful husband, but on such occasions the
oamsels mother, or come girls mother,
might be depended upon to explain that
affection and care were not all that women
needed of their husbands. and that physi-
clans never could find time TO give their
wives full advantages of society, without
which, of course, lie woald not be worth
the living.
But most Of the warnings of which the
Doctor was the subject were entirely un.
necessary, for the young man had lot the
slgntes5 intention or thought Of marrying,
or even making love, within few years.
He had mother and sister dependent on
his income for support, and as his patients
came TO him mostly by the accident OF
older and more experienced physicians
being otherwise engaged when wanted, DIR.
Whitmarth could not think of adding a
wife to he financial responsibilities. His
charming manner and many courtesies 30
women we're not prompted by the thoughts
OF love to which all mems hearts are sup.
posed to turn constantly, but by the
knowledge Of womaniy traits which he &C.
quired under the influence of his mother
and sister, who were pronounced by all
their acquaintance to be quite as delight
ful as the Doctor himself. Astute Young
women at Purview were sometimes heard
to remark that men brought their business
Wsys into society, and that, no matter how
gracefully they masked them, there were
generally purposes of personal gain behind
their attentions if a pretty girl received
~ expensive bouquet or quite too lovely
box Of bons.bons from gentleman, she
might expect the giver to monopolizs her,
il. spite of herself, at the next dance or
garden party at which they both appeared,
the results often being more provoking
than the presents justified. But Dr. Whit.
marth seemed to offer cour tesies solely that
the ladies &emselves might be pleased !;
whatever he received in return was the re-
suit of the principle that it is more blessed
to give than to receive. Although it meant
nothing TO men, "Dr. Whitmsrth's way"
came to be an expression that all women at
!
accuracy.
But the Doctors fate, in feminine form,
finally appeared and he recognized it at
first sight. The Marvells, a delightful
couple of middle aged people, who had
lived in the town only few months, were
known to have daughter who had been
for several years at famous school for
young women. When Miss Alice gradu-
ated and came home, her parents gave a
party in honor of the event, and every one
who was any one at Parview admitted, at
least to themselves, that Alice MARVEL
would be the belle Of Purview unless she
herself forbade it. A few stupid people
who thought woman's attractiveness con-
sisted only of face and figure, attempted to
combat the general impression, but their
efforts were fruitless, for although there
were maidens in Purview whose features
were more regular than Alice MarvelPs,
and who were somewhat more shapeiy
when dressed to advantage, nons Of them
could match the air of refinement that their
new rival had inherited from long line Of
honorable ancestors and had made more
charming by a carefully trained mind.
The Doctor, like every other young man
at Purview, lost his heart at once and Miss
Maxwell seemed fonder of him than of sny
other of her numerous admirers. Bat the
Doctor dared not to propose while earning
only little more than thousand dollars a
year, and while he was wildly wondering how
he might suddenly increase his income, an.
other man won Miss Marvelfs hand. Ralph
Frasher, although young, was a successful
man. He had keen eye for whatever was
worth having whether for purposes of
sport or profit; he drove fast horses, sailed
handsome yacht, knew how to order and
eat good dinner and to buy bits of prop
erty that were sure to increase in value.
When he sew Alice MARVEL he realize
that she was one of the rarest of her kind,
so he went promptly to work, in HIS bust
ness.hke way, to secure her He was not
entirely to the young lady's taste, for al
acquired by careful imitation of other men,
he was never at that ease in conversation
which most pleased Miss Alice. ard his
tastes and habits had stamped his face
with something that the young lady could
neither understand nor admire. Mr.. Mar
veil was equally slow to admire Ralph
Frasher, for the old gentleman knew men
and their ways, but his wife to whom ne
- h. - A.ff eli hi l
believed about the ways of the world, said,
when Frasher proposed, that their daugh.
ter could never hope TO make a safer or
more fortunate match, so Alice acted on
her mothers advice and became Mrs.
Frasher.
The Doctors heart did not break it be.
came very sore, but its owner told himself
that if the union proved happy one nc
enc wand rsi5ise- more than he. But the
time for the Doctor to rejeics never came.
When the couple returned from their bridal
tour Alice's habitual composure seemed &C
the Doctor 10 have touch of resignation
IN If, and Frasber seemed little more hurly
than usual. The Doctor heard people say,
as they have OF millions Of other young
wives, " How marrisge does sober bright
girl = and he ragged inwardly, for he was
sure that to q nature like Alice Marvelr:
marriage should have brought the summer
Of life instead of q suggestion OF autumn.
He observed the couple closely whenever
he saw them, and became more and NOR.
convinced that Frasher never regarded hi
wife as more than property-very valuable
certainly, and deserving Of as much care
as a promising colt. new grapery OF ;
villa site on a favorite street, but still
property. The Doctor was sure, too, tina
life with Ralph Frasher was 5 living deatl
to Alice MARVEL; that Frasher's tastsl
were rot TO her liking bis friends, ik'
himself, entirely of the earth earthly, auC
hi, attempts at affection were repulsive
Vixen the Doctor saw Frasher driving t
the station with his wife by his side h
could think only of master and slave