Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-10-16
Gales arto Skeiekes.
LIKE MAN, LIKE HUSBAND.

Office with dainty little perfumed note
between his fingers and a puzzled frown
upon his brow. The note. directed in a
graceful feminine hand, was brief:
DEAR GUARDIAN: will be at the Of
flee at 10 in the morning to consult upon
matter of importance. MILE.
"A matter of importance. muttered
Mr.. Wilkinson, twisting the note nervous
". "Can my fears be true9 Has Cyril
Ormsby proposed to my Pearl? ! am
afraid he has, And what can say !? What
can urge against the man if Miles own
instincts have played her false I? Ten
o'clock -
The last silver stroke of the mantle
clock had not died away when the door of
the office was opened by a clerk. and
Mile Bentley entered the room.
Just few words to describe the ward of
whom Marcus Wilkinson always thought
az a pearl. lily, everything pure and
fair. She was of medium height. slender
and graceful, with thoughtful face of
exquisite beauty.
Verv Young, only Is, Miliie Bentley
had borne early the sorrows of life. Her
father, having been wealthy, had failed
in business and committed suicide. Her
mother. delicate and helpless, had fought
poverty ieebly Tor two years, and sinking
under privaton and toll. had contracted
a fatal disease. When all hopes OF life
was over. news came that Miles uncle,
diving abroad, had lett large fortune to
his only sister A will was made by the
dying woman, leaving her own too lately
won independence to Millie. and appoint
ing their old friend, Marcus Wilkinson,
guardian to the heiress.
Sorrowing, and womanly beyond her
years, Mile had turned from her own
grief to a noble endeavor To sOlace some OF
the trials of those with whom her own
poverty had made her familiar. A cousin
had come at Mr.. WilkinsOn's request to
make home for his ward, and she resum-
ed many long-interrupted studies. But
large portion of her time was spent in the
humble homes of those who had been her
mothers friends in the dark days OF
widowhood, and her gentle charities soon
extended far beyond this small circle.
She had been an orphan for two years
on the day when she came to seek ME-
Wilkinson, as already described, and the
sorrows of her life had lost some of their
bitter sting, leaving only gentle sadness
behind.
We'll. Millie," the old gentleman said,
"what brings to me the pleasure OF seeing
you to-day"
at is about myself" Mile said the
softest rose tnts flushing her cheeks.
dear me- didn't know you ever
took such an insignificant person into con-
sideration at all"
Now, Uncle Mare please don't tease"
''She wants something enormous" said
the old gentleman, mentally addressing
walls. Whenever | am Uncle Mare
know what to expect next"
But just then the kindly man detected
signs of trouble in Miles face, and the
testing voice was turned at once to one of
tender gravity.
What is it, my child"
Cyril Ormsby came to see me last
evening. and he will come here to-day,
but | wanted to see you first. He wants
me to be his wife, Uncle Mare, and''-
she hesitated here-''vou do not like him.
WHO told you that?"
mo one. but see for myself
well, you are right do not like him
but my like or dislike has no control over
you"
mo CONTROL" Miles voice was pit
eous. please don't talk SO. come to
you as l would have come to my father
There dear, was wrong. Tell me
then, as you would your father, do you
love DIR, OrmsbyP"
IL think he's the noblest man ever
knew If YOU could see him with some
of my people, how gentle and courteous
he is you would like him too. He has
given me much sympathy in my work.
Uncle Mare, feeling. as do that the poss-
ession of great wealth is but steward
ship"
"And so won your love-"
MY respect and admiration, uncle.
cannot yet realize that a man so noble and
so good can really desire compahlonsaip
and help in his life. But. since he does.
| am glad and proud to have won his con-
iidence.n
''iIem-yes Enthusiastic but heart
WHOLE" was Mr.. Wilkinson's mental
comment. Suppose you and 90 tor a
walk ~ he added aloud
"A walk ?" Mile said in tone of sur
prise.
Yes, have friend or two | should
like to have you to see. When we come
back | will tell you why dislike Cyril
Ormsby, it," he added mentally, you
have not already found out"
IL was NV VAuetiS SuNh a VAIN ho ohC
would have mapped ovt for "a gentleman s
invitation to young. beautiful girl. but
Mile followed its course. leaning upon
her guardians arm, wondering a little.
but never hesitating, past the respectable
portion of the city to a quarter known as
the Factory Row." plade where Mr..
Wilkinson had never before allowed his
ward to 60, for there were apt to be fe-
vers and contagious diseases lurking
there. 1t lay low and was unhealthy,
and the houses were of the meanest de-
scription.
For noble philanthropist, partly own
ing these factories and this quarter. Mr..
Ormsby seems neglectful." said Mr. Will
kinson dryly. Il have an interest in the
factories. as you are aware, but do not
own one of those wretched houses. They
are all Cyril Ormsby's."
But" Mile said eagerly, "these peo-
pie will not let him benefit them. They
use his charity for drink; they abuse any
| privilege he gives them. till he is discour-
aged in his efforts to do them any good. =
"Oh. step in here"
1t was a poor place, scantily furnished
and cheerless. Upon cot bed lay wo-
man in the last stages of consumption.
u