Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-01-01

daughter of an ancient English family. Her
father was the only one whose friendship
had failed to gain. l could not satisfy or
remove his misgivings he refused his con-
sent to our marriage until MY Lady, as l
was won't to call her, declared she could
not live without me. Reluctantly he con-
scented he fixed upon her a certain allow
ance, amply sufficient for her own needs.
:" l loved my gentle, intellectual, warm
hearted wife, and really determined to
make myself worthy of her. l tried to do
better, and to keep up the glamour of the
counting days. 1t was successful. To SHOW
her confidence In me she intrusted me
with the management of her money; upon
this, with economy, we were able to live
comfortably. We wandered about Europe
for awhile, and then took house in &C.
neva. All at once my wife desired her
money, for purposes, of which, she said, l
must remain ignorant awhile. For worlds
l would not have her know OF my duphc-
ity. What was l to do? Alas for my
lack of moral courage. a thought flashed
across me. A number of acquaintance
were to spend the evening with us. Cards
were the chief amusement, and l was a
noted player. Money l should have, dis
honestly, if it came to that. Mr.. Wynd.
ham, do not despi:e me too much. l
won, by cheating, enough to more than re-
place my wife's allowance. The rich young
fellows who played did not mind the loss
at all, but promised to come again and re.
venge themselves. All the evening my
wife sat in an easy chair not far from the
table so still was she that | thought she
had fallen asleep. But no She had seen
nv deceit. Wyndham, man can endure
hunger, pain and misery, but not the
scorn of the woman he loves. She never
spoke a word to me that night her head
did not tJuch the pillow, and at dawn she
left the house never to return. She went
back to her father. y ears after followed !;
by cautious inquiry l learned that My
Lady" lived in strict seclusion on farm
of her fathers; in all that time she had
never learned to forget. She still despised
me and even seemed to extend her hatred
to her little daughter our child, that had
never seen. She educated her carefully
and conscientiously, but love her she did
not
''No wonder" thought Wyndham ga
mean rascal, who had deliberately ruined
the peace of a noble woman's life" Then
came the afterthought, "Was not the
poor fellow terribly punished? Aud, be-
sides, who am TO stand in judgment over
the man, whose life is the sacrifice to my
folly"
During the last ten minutes change
had come over the sick man. He recog-
nized it himself, and fastened to finish his
story. Mr. Wyndham, all these years
my motto has been, 'M1ndus Uub decipi,
and l have lived up to it. Still, l have
one sacred feeling-love for my child.
Though she knows little or nothing of me,
have watched over her youth. and her
future has been my greatest care. would
provide for her husband, who, unlike her
father, shall be worthy of his wife. When
l saw you in Cairo, l felt that you were
the very man, and, strange as it may seem,
| came here with the intention of offering
you my daughters hand. Will you, with
piercing leok at the dazed man before
him, will you grant me the unutterable
consolation of knowing that my daughter
will have az honorable man for her life.
guardian: ."
Wyndham covered his face with his
hands. 1t seemed to him that he was the
victim of some hateful dream. Stretched
out before him he saw the vista of his life,
deprived of that freedom which he priced
above everything, for OF love he knew
nothing. Surely it was a great sacrifice
for a man of six and twenty. a glance at
the face before him recalled his thoughts.
q have sworn to fulfill his wish, and
what sacrifice can atone for the life which
/ have upon my soul" Without word
L IL L.
quiesence to the fatsful question. With
happy smile upon his whitening lips the
dying man motioned to his coat, from
which Wyndham took some papers. There
was a letter. which the Frenchman
took, and handing it to Wyndham, said
81 In this You will find the address of my
wife and daughter after a year, open the
letter-send notice of my death to
Lsrin, my lawyer, in Paris-many thanks
your hand"
At that moment the doctor appeared at
the door, and saw Wyndham bending over
the dead.
a month later found Wyndham on his
way to England. 1.-The Rookery," bright
in all the charms of the advancing spring,
had become hateful to him. Leaving it IL
charge of the servants, he went away, tc
drown in new scenes all memory Of the
sad event which clcuded mis- life He car.
ried with him the bitter, tangible reminder
Of his lost freedom. A year, a whole yeal
of suspense, lay before him How should
he pass it ! He had taken passage on one
of the fine steamers that ply between Ca.
las and Dover, and now sat looking out Of
one of the round windows of the gentle.
mems saloon, hoping the storm Nigh;
cease and allow him to go on deck.
Down the stairs an old gentleman cams
stumbling; he shook himself and expresse ed
his disgust at the condition of the weather
by vigorous "Ugh :" "And it grows
worse, he continued, as he relieved him.
self of his ulster and slowly changed 8
number of small articles from one pocket
to another. His words were in too loud a
tone for q soliloquy; they were evidently
intended for Wyndham, who looked W
from his book with a puzzled expression,
| and politely answered {" Indeed
After the old gentleman had ar.
ranged his cigar.case, match.safe and
half a dozen other things, ne drew a long
breath and stepping up to Wyndham said
There | was right when took you fol
an Eaglishman yes, one can see old En-
gland in your eyes give Inc your hand
sir On day like this one needs com.
pany"
The young man laid his book aside and
extended his hand. He was glad to meet
such pleasant companion, for pleasant he
certainly was. One could not resist the
attraction of the kindly face and venera.
/ BILE, flowing beard of the speaker. By 8
thousand signs each recognized the Other
as a gentleman. Wyndham offered his CT
gar case the old gentleman refused, as he
laughingly remarked Thanks am not
well enough acquainted with you to smoke
your cigars" He interrupted Wyadham'
disclaimer 80, don't think l stand or
ceremony; l was simply looking out fol
myself You see, l don't know what sort
of weed you smoke; nay cigars tEo,c art
good do take one.
The air with which all this was sale
wac so genial that it was impossible t.
be offended. Wyndham complied with tn,
request, and much amused listened while
tho old man chatted eff it's raining like
this at home it will be fine weather for Ia,
races. Not turf-man knew you wer,
not. Neither am |. Can't get used to tn,
new ways. Now, don't look at me in suci
astonishment. When l was your age, ssy
fifty years ago, spent my leisure tine il
outdoor sports. Hunting, fencing, trout
fishing. riding and climbing the Swis