The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1885-02-14
A MAYNARD WARD.


even the most abnormal phenomena, to
suggest, at least an adequate explanation
of every enigma For what other purpose
does he exist than to throw light on the
surrounding darkness? He Is torch
bearer to humanity's ignorance If now
and again, by reason of a pessimistic
temperament or defect of training, the
rays he sheds around intensity rathCr than
dispel the gloom, and cast shadows as OF
Egyptian night across mans forward
path surely he miscOnstrues his mission.
But the Tgisest head is sometimes puz-
zled, and the shrewdest explorer OF the
aIl-environing mystery Is sometimes con-
founded. a problem 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 misers
thirst for gold, or coquettes for admira-
ton, would have found much to envy in
this young mans position. At an age
when a statesman is currently supposed
to be studying his parliamentary
primer, and when future general may
Still be writhing under the sarcasms Of
barrack- room Instructor, Bernard Ralston
had been welcomed into the front rank
of philosophical thinkers. His book on
"Instinct, Conscience and Reason" 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 tho
stanchest maintainers of old landmarks.
He was flattered, feted, and the lion of his
season.
Ii was from this suddenly acquired dis
tiEction that his embarrassment had ap-
preached. The solicitors letter that was
the beginning of sorrows made this clear.
It ran thus:
DEAR SIR: We have to inform you
that by the will of our late client, Mr..
Humphrey Power, you are appointed sole
guardian of his only surviving daughter,
Olive. AS this may be in the nature of q
surprise. we beg leave to quote the precise
paragraph of the will: And L hereby
empower Mr. Bernard RalstOn to act in
every respect as the guardian of my child.
am sure that Olive can have no litter or
wiser protector, none better qualified to
advise and TO regulate her life; and should
he-as | earnestly beg-accept and fulnL
this charge 1 give and bequeath to the
said Bernard Ralston, over and above
such reasonable expenses as he may have
incurred on my daughters behalf, the sum
of 6, 900 pounds sterling. to be paid by my
executors on my daughters 21st birthday,
as q small tribute of my gratitude.
The young lady is very considerable
heiress, in her 18th year, and at present at
O private pension in France. Further
particulars will follow on your reply. We
are, dear sir, yours obediently
$3.50 FANsHAwE d FITcH.
The gift of the proverbial white ele-
phant could have produced in no heart a
greater CONSERVATION. What should re-
tired and solitary student of serious pur-
suits and uncourtly manners, answer to
such challenge? If Cleethorpe hall
were large, it by no means followed that
he wanted more life within its bounds
and a girl In her teens mere child, as
with the sage wisdom of five-and-thirty
years he considered herl How could her
presence by his fireside be harmonized
with the quiet current of the life he elected
to live?
Yet, the bait. of 5000 pounds was a
temptation The glories OF CleethorPe
hall had been sadly furnished through
the improvidence of Demands father, and
philosO ply is not a particularly remuner-
aitve hobby to ride. Mr. Humphrey
Powers legacy, if not precisely a for
tune, would be an assistance in the keep
ing up of the restricted Cleethorpe estab-
ishment. fE
The matter was debated long and anx-
iously, and as the result Miss Olive Power
arrived at the hall one snowy February
morning. Slight of figure, winsome OF
feature, with merry, violet-tinted brown
eyes, and lips continually parting in q
piquant smile over teeth of swhitest pearl
Bernard RaIston was forced to admit
that, if he was properly to protect his
ward, his position might not prove a sine
cure Neither did it.
The girls beauty attracted suitors as
clover blossoms allure bees; and it was
soon an open secret in the country side
that Miss Power, as well as being lonely
and lovely young thing, was richly
lowered one. This brought the some
times lugubrious voice of Prudence int
reasonable accord with the chorus O.
alteration.
But Olive was not minded to be an easy
capture for any of her wooers With
woman's instructive dexterity she KEEP
them at bay, and at 20 had escaped tn
necessity of as yet refusing any offer il
formal and unequivocal terms. She wa
developing taste for study which hal
amused, half interested her guardian
One evening he playfully rallied her OF
her application to sundry big tonnes IN tn
library.
merry. and beWitching young lady into
blue-stoeking-a disciple of my own dry
as-dust pursuits, he said; "some on
some day may have special cause to blam
me, / fear
A sudden blush was on the maiden
cheeks, and her glance fell. 1t was i'm
possible that she should misinterpre
oGIndIO
"There is Oswald Harbury to thinl
Of, Olives guardian was daring enough
to add.
Two shining eyes were momentaril!
uplifted. Was the flash they gave one o
indignation, of scorn, or merely of con
fusion at betrayed secret? Bernart
could not guess.
"The nature of my employments cal
make no difference whatever, in any wa.
that can imagine, to Mr.. Harbury, sh
answered. Then-it seemed to Bernard
strange transition" viii you forgive M
for asking a favor?" she went swiftly on
81 should ike-oh, so muchl-to help il
your work Could | not copy out you
notes or revise proofs sometimes?"
What philosopher could have success:
fully resisted the volunteered help of sue
amanuensis? Not Bernard Ralston.
1t was summer, three months later tha
the date of this conversation. Olive
guardian was seeking his ward in her owl
boudoir, with a gloom upon his face and
depression of soul which defed his analy
sis. He had message to convey and
proposal TO informally submit which b
had little doubt would be accepted. o!
valid Harbury, the young owner of hal
i IL i 70 In