Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-04-25
A MAYNARD WARD.

l.
1t is the business of the philosopher, as the
world knows, to find law and order in even the
most abnormal phenomena, to suggest at least
an adequate explanation of every enigma. For
what Their purpose does he exist than to throw
light ON the surrounding darkness? He is a
torch-bearer to humanity's ignorance. If now
and again, by reason of q pessimist tempera-
ment or defect of training, the rays he sheds
around intensity rather than dispel the gloom,
and cast shadows as of Egyptian night across
mans forward path, surely he misconstrues his
mission.
But the wisest head is sometimes puzzled,
and the shrewdest explorer of the all-environ-
ing mystery is sometimes confounded. prob
lem presents itself which cannot be resolved
by any of the familiar processes The why of
some suddenly disclosed fact is as inscrutable
as the Sphinx of the Eastern desert. 1t was
thus with Bernard Ralston.
Those who thirst for fame, as msers thirst for
gold, or cOquettes for admiration would have
found much to envy in this young mans posi-
| ton. At age when statesman is currently
supposed TO be studying his parliamentary
primer, and when a future general may still be
writhing under the sarcasms of a barrack-room
instructor, Bernard RalstOn had been welcomed
into the front rank of philosophical thinkers.
was read and criticised by the few, praised and
avoided by the many. The noisy heterodox
claimed him as a new and promising recruit;
and so also, to the amusement of the OnlOOker,
did the stanchest maintainers of old land
marks. He was fiattered, feted and the lion OF
his season.
1t was from this suddenly acquired distinc-
ton that his embarrassment had approached.
The solicitors letter that was the beginning OF
sorrows made this clear. 1t ran thus
DEAR SIR: We have to inform you that by the will
of our late client Mr.. Humphrey Power you APP
olive. AS this may be in the nature of surprise we
peg leave to quote the precise paragraph of the WILL
every respect as the guardian Of my child am
that Olive can have no filter or wiser protector none
should he-as l earnestly beg-accept and fulfil this
s seh to e
may have incurred on my daughters behalf the sum
ters twenyhrst birthday, As small tribute OF my
in France. Further particulars will follow on your
VANsHAwE & FITCH.
The gift of the proverbal white elephant
could have produced in no heart greater con-
sternation. What should a retired and solitary
student, of serious pursuits and uncOurtly man.
nerS, answer to such challenge? II Cleethorpe
Hall were large, it by no means followed that
he wanted more life within its bounds; and a
girl in her teens, a mere child, as with the sage
wisdom of five-and-thirty years he considered
harmonized with the quiet current OF the life he
elected to live?
Yet, the bait Of five thousand pounds was a
temptation. The glories of Cleethorpe Hall had
been sadly furnished through the improvidence
OF Demands father, and philosophy is not par
ticularly remunerative hobby bride. Mr.. Hum
phrey Powers legacy, if not precisely a fortune,
would be an assistance in the keeping up of the
The mater was debated long and anx,ons,v
and as the result Miss Olive Power arrived at
the hall one snowy February morning. Slight
let-tinted brown eyes and lips continually part
ing in a piquant smile over teeth of whitest
MAR was i9seed to to admit
did it.
The girls beauty attracted suitors as clover
blossoms
secret in the countryside that Miss Power as
well as being lonely and lovely young
the sometimes lugubrious voice of Prudence
into reasonable accord with the chorus of adora-
ton.
But Olive was not minded to be an easy cap
ture for any of her wOOers. With woman's
instructive dexterity she kept them all at bay,
and at twenty had escaped the necessity of as
yet refusing any offer in formal and unequivo-
cal terms She was developing taste for
study, which half amused, half interested her
on her application to sundry big tones in the
library.
II shall be accused of Transforming merry
and bewitching young lady into Questioning
"a disciple of my own dry-as-dust pursuits he
said; some one some day may have special
cause to blame me, fear"
A sudden blush was on the maiden's cheeks,
and her glance fell. It was impossible that she
should misinterpret Bernards meaning.
"There is Oswald Harbury to think Of" Olives
guardian was daring enough to add
Two shining eyes were momentarily uplifted.
Was the flash they gave one of indignation, of
scorn, or merely of confusion at betrayed Sc
cret? Bernard could not guess
1.-THE nature of my employments can make
no difference whatever, in any way that can
imagine, to Mr. Harbury," she answered. Then
it seemed to Bernard strange transition
will you forgive me for asking a favor?" she
went swiftly on; 81 should iike-oh, much.--
to help in your work. Could 1 not copy out
your notes or revise proofs sometimes"
What philosopher could have successfully re-
sisted the volunteered help of such an amanu-
ensis? Not Bernard Ralston.
1t was summer, three months later than the
seeking his ward in her own boIdoir, with a
gloom upon his face and depression of soul
which defed his analysis: He had message
which he had little doubt would be accepted.
Oswald Harbury. the young owner of half Clee-
and his fortunes at olives feet He loved her,
he said; he would do his best to make her
happy;
to offer you and Is true-hearted. honorable
gentleman gentle; ma H.. AS your guardian; Olive | am
and plead his own cause?"
He had spoken hoarsely and in q queer, far
off kind of voice that he hardly recognized as
his own. 1t was surely singular and must tes-
tify to an unsuspected weakness of character,
that the prospect Of separation from the ward
originally received with SO much doubt and
dread should thus make havoc of his peace.
de waited for the answer In suspense that
yon ha1assns Aa ssa aness
deed, you wish to get rid of me-tO send me
away. And not even then, for cannot consent
to marry "a man whom do not love-"
Send Olive away! Was not every pulse in his
body beating with fierce, unbidden JOY at the
verdict she had given? The measure Of his re-
cent terror was the measure of his present re-
lief.
"That is a fear which my ward-my hayward
slow, broad smile; ''she has brought too much
sunshine into my lonely life for me to wish to
lose her. But change is inevitable some day"
"Why?" low voice murmured; and again
came the mysterious illumination of Olives
eyes.
because, Olive-if for no other reason-the
years of my guardianship will soon be at an
end" he answered steadily, almost sternly.
He must face the future resOlutely, as befitted
a teacher of his fellows.
And a few seconds later his quick, nervous
step was echoing in the passage without.
l..
An early summer vacation in Switzerland
when the glorious Alpine hor, should be at its
lOveliest-had been the chez shed dream Of
years to Bernard Rals;on, an. At last it was
realized. A wOmans hand I'd guided his
steps thitherward. Olive Powe had persuaded
him TO lay aside his work a. make playtime
OF the sunny weather.
Force in Human Affairs wi i you return, and
the critics will all say that last chapters are
the brightest, she said, pl -ingly. And when
she added slight involun.-..y expression of her
own eagerness for the change, he surrendered.
The trio-Miss RalstOn, Demands sister and
housekeeper, was Olives chaperon-had now
been from England a fortnight.
They had reached the Ritfel and were thus
encanped under shadow of the majestic grim
and uncouth for variation of epithets) Matter.
horn itself. Here Olive went into ecstacies. To
watch the sunrise battle the rugged furrOWed
sides with waves OF liquid light was an Occupa.