Daily Republican., 1884-05-24
HER SENSE OF DUTY.


/ HER SENSE OF DUTY.
"There is really no other resource,
Rincie," said Mrs. Latimor; you must
marry Mr.. Liston.'
Mrs. Iatimor was reclining In tired,
helpless attitude upon couch or worn
and discolored damask. She was a
pretty, delicate little woman with a
pale, meek face, soft, brown eyes, and
silver touched brown hair.
She was obviously not one to fight
bravely against the ills of life; she
was too frail of body, and too weak OF
heart; she was too fond Of ease and
uuietude: and she had been too used
always to rely upon the strength and
guidance of others.
And now in a time Of trouble she
was as bewildered as a child lost In a
storm and waste darkness.
She was less wise, less womanly than
her tall. fair, young daughter-the
merry, loving, dutiful Rincie.
"The bank will never resume pay
ment; 1t Ia hopelessly insolvent,' she
said piteously. "We have no one in
the world to help us, and we cannot
help ourselves Neither of us Is capa-
BILE of any kind of remunerative work.
1t IL impossible we should maintain
ourselves. We must give up the house,
poor and cheap rs it is. With the rent
and bills dus, and my worry about you,
| am absolutely i'll. You must really
marry Mr.. Liston,' she ended, plead
ingly.
"He has never really asked me,
mamma" Rincie said, rather impa-
tiently, az she carefully adjusted CO.
duettish little bonnet over her shining
braids.
al am sure I shall never imagine
what he means, then," the mother
sighed "He certainly talked like a
suitor the other day when he WAS speak
ing to me of YOU
Perhaps it is you whom he wants,
mamma" the girl commented ro-
guishly.
GLOW can you say such cruel
thing!" exclaimed Mrs. LatimOr, be-
ginning to sob; chow can you be sar.
castle with me when have 30 much to
bear? 1t is not likely he could care for
me, or want me tor his wife! am too
old, and faded, and weakly. And he
at fifty Is almost the same Wallis Liston
| knew before l married your dear
father; he is scarcely changed at all.
How could you be 80 rude and sarcastic
to me, Rincie ?" she repeated plain
lively.
al did not mean to be so; indeed, |
U
protested the girl, who was startled by
her mothers sudden and hysterical
distress. "And you are not old and
faded you are much prettier than |
am you would look almost as young az
Iif you were happy and strong"
ri should be we'll enough and happy
enough" said the mother, "if you
would promise to marry Wallis" she
hesitated, and nervously added "Mr.
Liston, meant to say
"Then l promise, mamma said
Rincie; 81 will if he asks me-"
And bending over the couch, she
fondly kissed her mothers Frightening
face.
She smiled cheerfully; but her lips
quivered, and all the color and light
had gone from her cOuntenance.
But she would make no protest that
might harass the wearied spirit which
ever turned to her for comfort.
"The sacrifice that Is not made cheer
fully ia a sham," she thought, as with
unsteady fingers she drew on her long.
brick. red gloves And smiling bravely
still, she took up her big red parasol
and uuittad tho hOuaa.
But once outside, the smile left her
lips, and her sweet eyes darkened with
bitter and despairing pain.
at is my fate, l suppose" she medi-
tated, in fierce, hot wrath against her
destiny. at is fate that forces me to
sacrifice my truth, my love, my con-
tent, all things that make woman
noble or life endurable!'
She WAS crossing shady square, and
as she walked on swiftly, half blind
with tears, her luckless red parasol
suddenly came into unpleasant proxi-
nifty with the jaunty hat of a young |
gentleman who was passing. l.
ooh, beg your pardon" he eJacul-
ated with as much concern and polite |
ness as if the fault had all been his own.
And then in glad, eager tones he con-
tinued: "Why, Is it really you,
Rincie?"
Yes, it is l." she returned, in con-
manner.
But he did not heed the constraint.
He turned, drew her passive hand
within his arm, and moved on resolute-
ly beside her.
al will not leave you," he declared,
in tender, masterful way, until
shall know what has occurred TO cause
this coldness. For days you have
avoided me. When have called l
have been told that you were indisspos-
cd or absent; my notes have not been
answered; what does it all mean"
at means, Philip, that everything
between you and me must be ended
forever" she replied in q slow, cold,
hard voice cit means that at last
have promised mamma to DO as she
desires. I chall be an obedient daugh- |
ter whatever else may be-" she con-
cluded, bitterly.
He stopped abruptly and dropped her
hand, staring at her Wild, white face
with much compassion and with vast
Indignation. u,
"You will err in your sense of duty,
he said, passionately, II by your ooe.
dience to one human being you lnnlct
an incalculable wrong upon Others
upon yourself, and most of all upon
the unloved man you wed. Il
But Philips excellent bit of moral
teaching was all wasted upon the spar
rows chatterinp in the trees and grass. /