Daily Kennebec journal., 1884-02-05
Gales a,.o Skekbes.


Il was in a luxuriously furnished room
where glowing CRATE threw genial light
and warmth upon the occupants, that Ger
aid LanRton. lawyer and millionaire, lis
tened with bated breath and pallid cheeks
to low and melodious voice that told a
story Of life.
The speaker, beautiful woman of about
thirty, vet ten years younger than Sir.
Langton, reclined in low cushioned chair.
her dress, her attitude. both speaking Of
the ease wealth gives, but her face was
full of the deepest anguish, rs her lips re-
counted this story.
You love me-" she said gently. yet
sadly, land love you as never loved
anyone before. although | am widow.
That you knew. but you did not know my
husbands name BY my uncle's last re-
quest I dropped it and took his with the
property he left me-. Do not look at me
tenderly. Gerald. do not shake my voice
or my heart, for when you know who | an
you will not repeat the offer you made
me, and which, Heaven is my witness, |
tried to avert"
..Let YOU conscience be at rest there, ."
said her listener. in a grave vet tender
voice .'you have never given me one
hope, Maude By what instinct knew
that you loved me | can never tell, some
thing in your eyes-some tone OF Your
voice betrayed you. Ii. as YOU say, some
thing in your past life does separate US,
YOU have been no coquette to torment me
with false hopes. But. Maude. tell me
again, whatever stands between US, you
love me ?''
II love you," she said. gravely. land
it is because love you that | will not let
YOU link your honorable name with that
Of the wretch who was my husband.
was very young-not sixieen-when he
came to make a visit to some friends liv-
ing at Grassbank. Uncle Richard has
country seat near the village. first met
Alexander at picnic, where he was the
very life Of the party, everybodvs cav
aler, courteous to all, full of wit and an
imation and service to all. believe every
girl on the grounds thought she had cap
tivated him his attentions were so we'll di-
vided. and yet so impressive to each one.
He claimed to be no more than salesman
in large wholesale house with good
salary, but he had the manners of gen.
tenlan of good education. and the most
perfect beauty of face and form that
ever saw in a man. 1t was not long be-
fere it was evident he wished to win my
love, and he had an easy task. Such love
as child of sixteen can give him. He
was the impersonation of every hero OF
poetry and fiction with whom my limited
reading had made me familiar. School
girl like. had made an ideal hero. and
fitted this. my first admirer, with all his
imaginary perfections.
From the first Uncle Richard disliked
him, pronouncing him false and shallow,
and assuring me that my personal attrac-
tons had not won his heart; but the fact
Of my being an heiress to a large proper
" had gained me the projections in which
| so firmly believed.
ut is painful story to me now. Gerald.
Let it suffice that lived in a world of de-
licious dreams while Alexander remained
al Grassbank. When he left me he car
red my promise to be his wife at Christ
mas.
al think if my money had depended on
Uncle Richard. my marriage might have
been prevented by his threatening to dis
inherit me. but both from my father and
mother had inherited money that made
me independent in pecuniary sense, of
his control or consent.
Most grudgingly, however, uncle did
consent. after searching inquiry about AL
exander. resulting in no worse report than
that his employers thought him fast, idle.
and Just the man to be a fortune hunter.
Even then my dear uncle would have pro-
tected my fortune by settling it upon N.Y.
self; but with the reckless generosity of
extreme youth. refused to have this done.
Never. was firmly convinced, would my
adored Alexander wrong me in any way.
For year after the splendid wedding
that made me Alexander's wife, was
very happy. Twas too ignorant of the
value to understand that we were living
tar beyond our income. and enjoyed to the
utmost the luxuries around me-the con-
slant gaiety that was in such strong con-
trast to the school routine from which
had Just been released,
Then began life of neglect, often OF
quarrelng. when | objected to my hus-
bands course of conduct-his drinking.
his extravaganza. and his late hours Still
found my own pleasures in society. and
a renewal of some of my favorite studies,
especially language and music. l was
fond. too fond. of water-color painting,
and made presents to my friends of speci-
mems of my skill in that line.
1T was tour years after my marriage.
WREN | was thunderstruck by Alexander
asking me to request loan of money
from Uncle Richard, with the information
added that every penny OF my property
was gone.
'Since then have known that large
portion of it was lost at the gaming table.
Long before this had lost all love for
my husband. Respect had died out when
knew the dissipaied life he was leading.
and. foolish as was. could not continue
to love a man whom despised. refused
the errand. and brought down a torrent
IS L,,- tlat r