Daily Kennebec journal., 1884-12-23
Gales aud Sketthes.
A WAYWIRD WARD.

the world knows, to find law and order in
even the most abnormal phenomena, TO
suggest, at least, an adequate explanation
of eyery enigma For what other purpose
does he exist than to throw light on the
surrounding darkness? He is a torch
bearer to humanisy's ignorance. If now
and again. by reason OF a pessimist tenn
perament or defect of training. the rays
he sheds around intensity rather than dis
pei the gloom. and cast shadows as OF
Egyptian night across mans forward path
surely he miscons.rues his mission.
But the wisest head is sometimes puz-
zled, and the shrewdest explorer of the
all ll-environing mystery is sometimes con-
founded. A problem presents itself which
cannot be resolved by any OF the familiar
processes The why of some suddenly
disclosed fact is as inscrutable as the
Sphinx of the eastern desert. 1t was
thus with Bernard Ralston.
Those who thirst for fame, as misers
thirst for gold, or coquettes for admira-
ton, would have found much to envy in
this Young mans position. At an age
when statesman is currently supposed
to be studying his parliamentary primer,
and when future general may still be
writhing under the sarcasms of barrack-
room instructor, Bernard Ralston had been
welcomed into the front rank Of pbilosoph-
ical thinkers. His book on "lnstinct,
Conscience and Reason" was read and
criticised by the few, praised and avoided
by the many. The noisv heterodox claim
ed him as a new and promising recruit /;
and so also, to the amusement of the on
locker, did the staunchest maintainers of
old landmarks. He was fattered, feted,
and the lion OF the season.
1t was from this suddenly acquired dis
tinction that his embarrassment had ap-
preached. The solicitors letter that was
the beginning of sorrows made this clear.
1t ran thus:
DEAR SIR: We have to inform you that
by the will of our late client, Mr.. Hum
phrey Power, you are appointed sole
guardian of his only surviving daughter,
Olive. As this may be in the nature of II
surprise. we beg leave to quote the pre-
else paragraph of the will "And hereby
empower Mr.. Bernard Ralston to act in
every respect as the guardian of my child.
am sure that Olive can have no filter or
wiser protector, none better qualified TO
advise and regulate her life; and should
he.-as earnestly beg accept and fulfill
this charge, give and bequeath to the
said Richard Ralston, over aud above such
reasonable expenses as he may have in
Cured on my daughters BEHALF the sum
of $4,000, to be paid by my executors on
my daughters twenty first birthday, as a
small tribute of my gratitude" The
young lady is very considerable heiress,
in her eighteenth year, and at present at a
private pension in France. Further par
ticulars will follow on your reply. We
are, dear sir, yours obedientlv.
FANsHAwE & FITCH.
The gift of the proverbial white ele-
phant could have produced in no heart a
greater CONSERVATION. What should a
retired and solitary student, of serious
pursuits and uncourtly manners, answer
to such challenge? If Cleethorpe Hall
was large, it by no means followed that he
wanted more life within its bounds, and
q girl in her teens, mere child, as with
the sage wisdom of five and thirty years
he considered her. How could her pres
ence by his fireside be harmonized with
the quiet current of the life he elected to
live?
Yet, the bait of five thousand pounds
was a temptation. The glories of Clee-
thorpe Hall had been sadly tarnished
through the improvidence of Bernard's
father, and philosophy is not a particu-
larly remunerative hobby to ride. Mr.
Humphrey Powers legacy. if not precise
ly fortune. would be an assistance in the
keeping up of the restricted Cleethorpe
establishment.
The matter was debated long and anx-
iously, and as a result, Miss Olive Power
arrived at the Hall one snowy February
morning. Slight of figure. winsome of
feature, with merry, vIolet-tinted brown
eyes. and lips continually parting in a
piquant smile over teeth of whitest pearl.
Bernard Ralston was forcedto admit that
if he was properly to protect his ward, his
position would not provea sinecure.
Neither did it.
The girls beauty attracted suitors as
clover blossoms allure bees; and it was
soon an open secret in the countryside
that Miss Power. as we'll as being lonely
and lovely young thing. was richly
lowered one. This brought the lugubri-
Gus voice of prudence into reasonable ac.
cord with the chorus OF alteration.
But Olive was not minded to be an easy
captHre for any of her wooers. With q
woman's instructive dexterity she kept
them all at bay. and at 20 had escaped the
necessity of as yet refusing any offer in
formal and unequivocal terms. She was
developing taste for study which hal
amused, half interested her guardian One
evening he playfully rallied her on her ap
plication to sundry big tones in his libra
ry.
II shall be accused of transforming
merry and bewitching young lady into 6
blue-stocking-a disciple of my own dry
as-dust pursuits" he said; "some one
some day may have special cause to blame
me. fear"
A sudden blush was on the maiden.
cheeks. and her glance fell. 1t was i'm
possible that she should misinterpret Ber
nard's meaning.
There is Oswod Harbury to think of
Olives guardian was daring enough tc
add.
Two shining eyes were momentarily
uplifted. Was the flash they gave one o.
indignation. of scorn, or merely of confu
sion at betrayed secret. Bernard could
not guess.
The nature of my employments car
make no difference whatever, in any way
that can imagine, to Mr.. Harbury," she
answered. Then-it seemed to Bernard 9
strange transition-"Will you forgive me
| Cor l. So eh. ,,-a,.