The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1885-10-14

~ Wnc thoA oStCAAotkS VI thO SAAs -
she deposited the check at the bot
tom of her trunk and suddenly made
her preparations for departure, that
she never for single moment re-
gretted the affection of this man or
what had passed muster for his af-
fection. She only thought Of his
rough batteries. his unfgurative
compliments, his homely admira-
ton. Aut all of these, and much
none surely awaited her in the tri-
umphant future. Why should she
shed tear for one who could part
from her then without handclasp,
smile, fond look {? She almost
felt that in time she should learn to
hate him.
True enough, punctual to the mo-
ment, William waited in the porch
with the brougham
A moment later and a womans 8
trunk was placed on the top a slel-
der, girlish figure, wearing small
crimson hat with white feather, and
tight-fitting crimson mantle border
ed with fur stepped in the door was
shut; and, as if divining his masters
wishes the old man-servant drove
the carriage swiftly toward the lodge
gate.
".
What the rich man did with his
inner life from that time none knew.
Outwardly it was clear for all to
sea model of austereness, recti-
tude and rigid adherence to duty.
Mr.. Harden made no affectation of
pietv-of conversion, as the phrase
goes. He did not take to reading
his Bible, or excessive church-going.
The exactions of conscience and
custom in this latter respect had
ever been fulfilled by him. But in
his lonely, remorse stricken widow
hood, he took to good company.
Alike ia dress and manner, he affec-
ted the air of a gentleman. AS if to
challenge the world, moreover, to
say a syllable against his character,
ne generally had to reside with him
some needy clergyman or young
man preparing for holy orders, with
whom he took his meals and spent
his evenings over chess and back
CANNON. He gave clerical dinner
parties, too, delighting to assemble
round his luxurious board all the
clergy of the neighborhood-well
pleased also, in turn, to accept invi
tations to their houses, and be initia-
ted into what is called good society
generally. The world of course well
coined the millionaire into their
ranks. He might have married
half a dozen times to his social and
moral advancement had he pleased
From the first however, it was evil
dent to all that whatever John Har-
den might do for the church and
society, be would never marry
again. Clerical ladies might get
money out Of him; no woman
would ever persuade him to pur-
chase wedding ring. These dis
fractions relieved the tedium of soli-
tude, and if he did not look cheer
full, at least he invariably wore an
expression of satisfaction. He might
well look satisfied? =? He was salts
fed himself-in other words, as he
thought, balancing his moral affairs,
and putting himself on the right
side of the banking book.
Nor was the widower forsaken in
moments of sickness or when in
frmities overlook him. The devo-
ted Anna, whose heart had once
turned wholly against him, whose
very feminine instincts had revolted
against the sights put upon her in
distress, now testified even affection
ate solicitude for the changed, re-
pentant man. And if there was one
person in the world to whom he
ever opened his lips on the subject
of the past it was to his wife's faith
ful servant and only friend.