Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1885-12-19


Maude Maxwell had let him see very
plainly that she had a preference for
his society and attentions. Yet he
shrank from the prospect of "a wife
with no idea above dress and gayety,
however richly she might be DOVER
ed. Loving neither in the true sense
Of the word, he certainly found more
pleasure in the society of the older
lady, and then little demon of
policy whispered to him that, after
all, the money was Miss lIarte's, and,
with her social position and real at
fractions, she might marry, and SO
deprive Maude Of her supposed in
heritancc. 1t was true that she was
old enough to be his mother, but a
handsome woman, and one so thor
Oughly tasteful in dress, could always
appear younger than actual years
warranted, and-he liked her, yes, he
certainly respected and liked her.
For two or three days he hesitated,
shrinking yet from placing himself
in the position Of Il fortune. hunter,
ard then he wrote Il manly letter to
Miss Harte, asking her to be his wife.
He had sufficient tact to avoid tlowery
tlattery and sickening protestations,
and the letter bore the stamp of sim
cerity on every line. An hour later
his messenger brought an answer, aud
Miss Harte was his af1ianced wife.
Escorting the ladies to their home, Il
magnificent country seat, Mr.. Ran
dali would not have been human had
he not congratulated himself upon
the future ownership Of the wealth
so lavishly represented all around
him. He had said nothing about the
future position of Miss Maxwell,
good naturedly wiling that she
should still find Il home with her
aunt; but he sometimes thought he
would give hera hint about assuming
so much the air Of mistress of the
house.
The wedding was magnificent, the
honeymoon spent i'll travelling on a
wedding gift of a cheque from Mr.
Randall's uncle ; and one morning in
cosy confidence, the subject of going
home arose.
"Where have you taken rooms,
dear: :" Mrs, Randall asked; cor shall
you go to housekeeping -
"Rooms," cried the bridegroom;
'shaIl you not return to your own
house: 2"
My own house. | have no house,
joe" for suddenly the truth flashed
upon her,"did you think | had money:
| thought every one knew that | was
Naudes pensioner On and hel
face grew very pale, "what a fool |
have been | thought you loved me. .
"Iou were no fool in thinking that
was the quick reply, as her husband
| put his arm around her; II do love
you. | did think the position re.
yersed, and that Maude depended on
You; but never doubt my love. If il
was not very ardent when proposed
to you, it grows stronger every day
that We spend together
But yet you thought me wealthy
"A hunilia;ing fact cannot dcny;'
and then IN Il sudden outburst Of CON
lidence, Mr. Randall told his Wlr,
the whole, dwelling somewha. Longer
upon his business attempts and per
plcXities that on the hope he had en-
tertaiucd of II future life Of Iuxuliou
idlcness.
When he had finished, his wifi
spoke: "lou may not like to hra
my fathers opinion Of me, Joe, thougl
he meant it to be Il complimentar,
one. He always said should hav
been Il man, for | had true busines
head. For 10 years before he die,
he was ralyzed, and | was the ac
tual head Of his business, the weavin,
Of carpets in VI. He left ne
competency, which was stolen from
me by IL dishonest trustee, and
should have taken up some occupa
tion to gain my own living had no
Maud been left an orphan and i'm
plorcd ne TO live with her.
"ltWas scarcelya life Of dependence
ior She ncc0ed me, and her layisl
gifts OF clothing and jewellery I ac
ccptcd in the place Of the salary any
one else in my place must have beer
paid, | was housekeeper and cha