Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1884-05-30

dinner, too, there was none of that gor-
geous display of plate that he had been
ed to expect. Everything was con-
ductcd quietly and unostcntatiously.
Mr.. Maitland, perhaps, TO those who
did not know him, was the blot upon
the scene. He certainly was n trillc
vulgar. But his friends lost sight of
this in their warm appreciation of his
sterling good-nature. No better-heart.
ed, more gcnerous-mindcd man than
Walter Maitland ever lived, Original
ly the salesman in small warehouse in
Spring Gardens, he had, by dint of
steady industry and unwearying perse-
verance, raised himself to his present
position among the most honored OF
Manchester merchants; but, unlike the
majority of men who have risen solely
through their own exertions, his success
had not made him arrogant and self
assertive, nor was he in the habit of
boasting of his achievement. He knew
that, comparatively speaking, he was
an ignorant man and he was not
ashamed to own IL; but he never did so
obtrusively. Kind to q fault, always
willing to assist any one in distress, in
nocent rs child in many of the worlds
ways, wearing his heart upon his sleeve,
and as unaffected as the day on which
he was born, Walter, Maitland, to those
who knew him, was man to respect,
to honor and to love.
Unfortunately Frank Henniker did
not know him, and he was obliged to
Judge him by outward appearance. He
felt strongly that. this old gentleman
who sat at the head of the table, who
laughed so loudly and so heartily at his
own Jokes, who often dropped his "h's"
and mispronounced his words, was
very vulgar being. Henniker had been
brought up in an exclusive set, with
whom faults of breeding were iniquities
that could never be atoned for, even by
the best qualities of disposition. At
dinner, unconscousiy to himself, he
could not help showing the direction in
which his thoughts lay. However, it
passed of very well, and Mr.. Maitland
did not perceive that his guest was u
trille offended, not TO say disguised,
with his ways. But once or twice Hen
mixer caught the daughter looking at
him with an expression on her face
which he could not understand. 1t puz-
zled him.
After dinner, in the drawing room,
she sang songs for him; and again Hen
mixer was thrown into a state of Won
derment. Such thrilling voice, so
touching in its tender pathos, he had
never heard. 1t entranced him, and he
remained fascinated by the piano all the
time that she was singing. But when
he showed symptoms of the great de-
light that he felt Miss Maitland at once
rose from her seat, and rather coldly
| rellispl to sinp any more
Henniker's thoughts, rs he sat in his
bedroom that night, were anything but
pleasant. Above everything he felt
thoroughly angry and dissatisfied with
himself. He had acted, it seemed to
him, very like fool. He had come
from London full of self-conceit, COM
placently satisfied that the people no
was going to see were an inferior order
of creation to himself, quite an inferior
race of beings, living in u common un-
der-bred way, that to man of culti-
waited tastes would be most objectiona-
BILE; and here he found them every bit
as refined in their habits as himself. and
with none of that ostentatious display
which he had SO confidently expected.
1t was really most mortifying.
Then there was the daughter. He
had actually thought of this girl as if
he would be comforting favor on her
by asking her to marry him!
The fact was that Henniker was as
much in love with Lily Maitland as it
is possible for young fellow to be in
love with girl after only eight hours
acquaintance.
So the days passed until Whit-Sun-
day was at hand. Those days had en-
lightcned Henniker very much as to
Mr.. Maitlands true character. He had
been among his work-people and had
seen how they all reverenced and re-
spected him, he had seen how consider
ate and thoughtful he was towards
them, and he had heard from the peo-
pie in the neighborhood of the Mid
lands how good and unselfish he was.
But, more than all, he had been brought
into close contact with the man himself,
and he had had time and. opportunity
to become acquainted with his dispo-
sition and to mark the many little ways
in which his generosity and true nobili-
ty of character showed themselves.
The result was total revulsion of feel
ing towards Mr.. Maitland almost as
complete as that towards his daughter.
1t was the evening before Whit-Sun-
day, the time about six. Henniker,
who had been out riding, went to the
drawing-room, not expecting to find any
one there, for Lily had driven into
town 10 make some purchases, and he
hardly fancied she could have returned
yet. He was mistaken, however, for
she was seated before the fire and in 50
deep reycrie that he had to speak to
her before she became aware of his
presence.
'Your thoughts seem to be pleasant
ones, Miss Maitland, if one may Judge
from the expression OF your face he
said, as he took II seat near her.
She started violently and hot color
stole into her cheeks. Hennker Won
dered why she should blush so much at
such apparently innocent words.
1t was but momentary, however, and
when the flush died away it seemed to
leave her face paler than usual
"Thoughts at Whitsuntide ought to
be pleasant, Mr.. Hennikcr," she said;
"but / don't know that mine were par
ticularly happy. Did you enjoy your
ridc?h
"Very much. Sam. as / think you
call him, carried me splendidly. and /
|
chester was so interesting. 1t is really
very pretty out beyond Cheadle."
~ am glad you liked it; you will, at
any rate, have one pleasant remem-
brance of Manchester to carry away
with you"
There was something in the tone in
which she said this-something half sad
and reproachful-that caused Henniker
to lose his head.
"There is one remembrance that will
always be imXpressibly dear to me-" he
said, in n low voice.
The moment he had spoken he felt
that he Lad betrayed himself There
was no turning back now; come what
might, he must go On. A choking SEN
sat on rose in his throat, but he rcso-
lutely forced il back and steeled himself
| for the cOminp ordeal