Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-05-09
WHY HAD he LEFT HER i?


thought 1 gave you enough, yesterday"
True, papa but Madame Fontaine give
wedding reception for her daughte
Clara next Wednesday evening and I mus
have dress suitable for the OCCASION"
Certainly, my dear; your father delight.
in nothing so much as in seeing you enjoy
the rich blessings that have been given us
L love to see YOU look a very queen among
the rest. | was sadly disturbed yesterday
afternoon"
"Why, papa ?"
And stately Antlline Elleston leaned ovei
the velvet easy-chair, and drew her white
fingers caressingly through the silky white
hair of the father she loved SO well.
Because, just as | was leaving my office
to step into the carriage. little black-eyed
child, with such furnished face put out
her thin hand and begged for penny-only
one, because her papa was so sick and hun
CRY. | was tired, and cold, and impatient,
and l knew had nothing less than a SOW
erign in my pocket 50 told the child
had nothing tor her, and hurried into the
carriage, and told John to drive on. But l
caught the disappointed look on that child S
face, and it has haunted me ever since"
My dear father, you are too sensitive
about such things. You are in no way to
blame. You cannot be expected to give TO
every little beggar child you meet
6 know that, Thenia.' that was his pet
name for his elegant daughter; but have
been thinking that, as heaven has given
much to US, He will expect much from us y
I'VE do all we can, | am sure; and
would think no more about this little in
cident. The child will get along well
enough They all manage to live in some
way"
So the matter rested; neither father nor
daughter forgetting it, either when the
costly dress was bought, or later still, when
in the elegantly-appointed boudOir Anthine
Elleston stood before the long pier-glass
that reflected back her stately form in all
its queen-like beauty, arrayed in the sea-
green silk, whose folds, as she moved,
seemed like SO many silyer-tipped waves,
half hid though they were by the costly
lace hounces.
Diamonds and rubies sparkled on her
fair neck, were clasped On each shapely
arm and shone amid, the satin-like folds Of
her dark hair, that was wound in the form
of q coronet around her head, and Il gem
larger than the rest sparkled above her
forehead
She was a beautiful woman; she knew
it, and gloried it. Her father was proud of
her, and she strOve to please him; but that
which steeled her heart, and made her so
naughty and reserved-sO heartless, as her
admirers said-was the fearful blow she
received when only eighteen.
On that eighteenth birthnight the grand
Old mansion was thrown open to a goodly
company, and Anthinc, in her fair young
beauty, with the orange flowers on her
brow, sat waiting, with her bridal robes
around her, for him who had chosen her to
walk beside him down iifes pathway.
Paul Wellington was noble fellow
manly, truthful and upright in every action
of his life; even then, though only %, 4
lawyer of some note.
But on this bridal night. with guests
awaiting, and the bride a. beautiful and
loving as bride could be, 10 bridegroom
claimed the bride.
A telegram to his distant home was sent,
and the answer came at once that Paul
Wellington, on the day he expected to start
for his wedding, sailed in steamer for
India, without any explanation whatever.
Ii was a fearful blow 10 poor Anthine,
but her pride came TO her rescue, and when
she went out again she was, As we find her
now, stately, and far more beautiful than
in loving girlhood.
1t is seven years since that night, when
that act of her lover, who seemed so noble
and good to her. sent the chilness Of death
70 her heart.
1t was past understanding, and after q
time she ceased trying to comprehend ii
and sealed her heart to all mankind cling
ing only to her father, who idoliZed her.
Paul Wellington came back from India
came once 10 Anthine and begged 10 see
her but she refused to meet him
Then he sent her letter. enueaung hel
to read MS explanation, but she returned i
unopened.
He became distinguished in his profcs
sion, and occasionally they met III society
and though Anthine could not help motto
ing the sad expression on his face, she in
variably avoided meeting his glances, and
when obliged to speak to him she did St
with as much GOODNESS rs p0liteneSs wOu.C
allow.
Tonight she knows that Paul yelling
ton is to be an hOnored guest at her friend:
house, and almost unconsciously she haC
chosen her dress to suit his tastes, as sh,
remembered it so long ago.
Now she tastens her gloves, and picks ~
her ieWaled bOuquet-holdcr. IN half rev
erie. thinking perhaps. Of a time when SIT
was bride expectant, As happy for a littlt
time rs me bride she was going TO greet.
Oh. viii happiness ever come 10 M
again She murmur- softly 10 herself. q
driven rapidly away.
The parlors were crowded. the music wa
perfect. the guests the gayeSt, the bride an,
bridegroom the hands0me5t, the whole
scene Ike some fairy picture, but some
how in spite of the admiration UNIVERSAL,
accorded to her. rs she moved up and down
the long room. looking every inch queer
in her royal beauty. uer heart was stranEe!,
sad. and il was a positive relief when
maid III attendance brought her scale,
note.
Breaking the seal in the dressing room
she read.
In memory of one who loved you not wisely
bat 600 well come 90 yOUr diving cousin. ! sen,
my u.t,e cirl 10 conduct voj; la,e. though It is
You wont refuse me, Antaiue You canGo
when J am dying JAMES HOLMES.
It was all very strange, but Anthine
nooie-hearted rs ever, never hcsitated
moment
That cousin James had been the bane o
her life gay, iro.ics1me fellow. who's
love for jokes was unbranded, and who's
love Tor Anthine was a mixture of teasing
and alteration
y long time ago he declared his intention
OF going TO seek his fortune and 4 wife. an,
this note Anthlne holds in her hand is til
hrst they have heard of him all these Ion,
years.
1t took but . moncnt TO send for he
father, and give their a1ioux 70 their host
eSs and find the little girl waiting az tn
gate and then direct their drive to ,le al
dress the little girl gave them
But 1t was sudden change. 10 20 from
the grand mansion with its beautiful
grounds and rasight and music and feast
ing, only n few streets back, into sucl
depth of misery and filth and wickeIncs
rs they found themselves when the eaI
rage stopped beiorea tumblc-down-ookin
building, with broken windows and rickct
steps.
Even Anthine's step faItcrcd As they fol
lowed the quick step OF the little girl u
broken s,airways, down dark passages, ur
til the garnet was reached ct last hearin
at every door the Yilest oalhs and ofte
screams and blows.
Anthine had often visited the poor an
to the sick and needy had often brougl
clothes and delicacies, but such misery sh
had read of, but thought it stretch of
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