Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1883-12-21
REUBEN's BEGGAR.

"You were more kind than wise.
Charity ought To begin ut home," Eve
Walworih. said, with a very decided and
unamiablc pou,.
II hate maxims," Reuben Wright re-
torted, half in annoyance, half indig-
nantly. And really could not repulse
the old fellow, Eve: he seemed so sick
and miserable; his distress seemed SO
genuine.
"And because an ordinary beggar
happened to seem all that, you gave him
your last dollar and walked five miles
through the dreadful Storm" the girl
said contcmptuously, 81 do not Won
der Will Chadock was amused; Will
would do nothing so absured, am GER
tain.
The young mans dark eyes flashed
and his cheeks flushed sullen red.
II am equally certain that Willis
would never do anything of the kind"
he returned in ncttlcd tones. 81 admit
THAI he is quite incapable of any indis-
cretion in the score Of generosity"
ii hate sarcasm" the girl said lofti
ly and with roguish intent. at is even
more objectionable than quoting prov
cribs But dare say Will would not
mind; conscious of superiority, he can
afford Ia ignore or desPise any spiteful
animadversion."
Reuben turned toward her with a
hook Of unaffected surprise.
lyon seem fairly confident about the
mans perfcctions," he commented in Il
displcased and questioning voice.
"Of course should never presume
hat you could he jealous OF an inferior"
~ answered rashly and rudely.
And should never have presumed
lnat YOU could he 80 ungracious and
silly." he declared Grossly
cam ungracious because | choose
tu return satire for satirc?' she queried
dcfcnsivly.
Gam I silly because | approve the
good sense oi Il gentleman whO-whO
-" she suddenly hcstated with a bril-
liant blush that was rather enlightening
Ia her aroused lover.
With extreme irony and some exag-
peraiion he finished the incomplete sem
ience for her.
who desires perhaps to succeed in
your affections my most unlucky self,
he said.
The irony, the accusation implied,
stung the spirited and perverse girl to a
swift unrea-oning resentment.
"Ill luck is but synonym OF incoIn-
| petence, or of what is none the less de-
acknowledgements of thrift; injudi-
rinus liher"'''y, indiscrminate charity"
she saiu narsnly and slyly too.
lyon begrudgc my poor beggar his
aims, obviously" Reuben remarked,
laughing despite his vexation.
He loved her with mans best love
this slender girl with her bright face,
her dazzling eyes Of bonny blue, her
shining hair Of richest gold; and she
was Ia be his wife, sometime, when he
would have made home fitting for one
80 fair and proud and dainty.
He loved her unutterably-this hand
some, ungrateful girl, for whose sake he
had been unlucky; his prospect OF a
yoodly legacy had been spoiled by some
singular legal ,cchnicality; prodigal
md unscrupu,nus partner had bank
upted tolcra,ly prosperous business
md an insolvent bank had completed
HE ruinous category.
The home that was to - so dear and
delightful seemed sadly -. away; and
latterly the manner "i his betrothet
wife had leen nei.he comforting no.
i encouraging. Her moods perpleXed
and depressed him; her little sharl
speeches, her saury little affectatiOn'
that one he deemed SO witty and charm
ing, hc now fancicd were altogether too
; meaning; and he could only feel gIievet
and afrrontcd. And more CALLING THAI
all was the notion that Willie Chadocl
'ad in some way made "thc little riff
,ithin the lutte" that was silcnciny al
! ~ music, embittcring all the sweet
rss. oi his pleasant love dream.
viii Chadork was an undenahly fas
mating man; not SO young certainly
ut he had an aristocratic counteEance
high bred mcin, and great cxpressv
back eyes. and he was "A master OF Gun
g ing naitery lie was considered too !,
u :. personage Of wealth and some dis
" tinction; and altogether he WAS precise
!. ~ the sort Of gay, plausible, pretentiou
II individual whom an impulsive and sus
~ ceptible girl might exalt into Il prince {
e perfection.
But il Eve was faultily impulsive, 81,
was tempered by an inuate adherence {
r all that il insincere and ignoble. Sl
n was vexcd with her promised husband
re- she was momcntarly dissatisfied wit
,c him, perhaps; she had meant possibl
~ to tease and arouse him. But then ht
pretty little assumptions Of tyranny al