Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1885-11-13
NORTON BLAKE'S DILEMMA.

I. s- .
Els it true, Norton? Is your uncle
really dying?" g.
The speakers eyes were sparkling,
her cheeks flushed, her fingers toying
with the white robes OF a baby upon
her knee, her information that of elated
triumph.
Words and manner struck Norton
Blake sharply. He threw down the
telegram with 8 short "Yes.''&
care you sorry?" Mrs. Blake asked
in tart surprise. "Why, you've wish
ed, a thousand times, were mistress
ofTbe Court, and now there's baby.
Shan't Ifell proud when I see him in
velvet knickerbockers riding about
that beautiful park ON white
pony'' r .ss...~
Norton regarded her with amaze
ment-her speech sounded so utterly
heartless.
"sorry!" herepeatedslowly. "sure-
ly, Myra, you forget that my uncle
has filled O. fathers place to me from
my childhood.'
"Oh no. / don't,' she retorted with
disagreable laugh; "nor the filial re-
spect you have always shown him.
Also, remember your many aspira-
tions that Providence would allow
the same-a-calamity--to end this
miserable concealnent. Really, Nor
ton, you have neither courage to face
the consequences of your own actions,
nor to grip the deliverance Fortune
sends you"
With muttered imprecation, Nor
ton Blake lett the room. Experience
had taught him the futility Of arguing
with his wife; but through the ensuing
long journey he had leisure in which
to ponder over and debate the truth
OF her words. The sudden shock of
his relatives danger had acted upon
his moral consciousness like a
douche Of cold water on the physi-
col organization of g. drunkard, recall
ing him to himself, but stinging him
with sense of his own degradation.
Treated by his uncle with an indul-
gence shown by few parents, he had
idled at school and scraped through
college. He was no profligate-neither
gained nor drank; yet his fatalpropen-
sity Of snatching the moments pleas
ure, leaving care for the morrow, had
blighted the sunny prospects OF a. life
whose GROWING folly he was too cow
ardly to avow.
During" a. long vacation-supposed
by his uncle to be passed with tutor
in Scotland--7he met, at fashionable
watering-place, O. girl-woman, rather
whose blue-eyed, golden. haired
charms and practiced graces had be-
wildered and captivated his youthful
fancy. His superior in years and
knowledge Of the world, but be-
Meath him in birth and education,
she was too keenly alive to the social
advantages derivable from an alliance
with the heir OF an old and wealthy
county family to let him slip throug III
her fingers. BY artifce, cajolery, and
threats Of. appealing to the elder Mr..
Blake--the best thing which could have
happened to him, had he but known
it--she accomplished her purpose, and
he married her. His college life had
ended, and, fearing lest his rash act
should be discovered, he persuaded
his uncle that q continentaE tour was
the fitting interlude between it and
thing down to the active duties of
. life. 4"
The couple were at Heidelberg when
the news of Mr. .Blake's illness ar
rived. 1t betokened some latent good
in Norton 8 character that, although
these tidings might have been supposed
tosolve his difficulties, they awakened
in his breast but a feeling of sorrow
full remorse. leavened, perhaps, bysat-
lsfaction that, owing to the season be-
ing winter, and the tender age of her
child, his wife was debarred from ac-
companying him to England. u ~ /
Asthe first misery lessened came the
remembrance Of forgotten complica-
ton in his affairs Mr.. Blake's house
hold numbered another besides his
nephew. This was the orphan daugh-
ter of an old fellow-officer, to whom
MIR. Blake had given the shelter of his
q. home and the affection of q father.
That Norton and Helen Venue should
be united-so sharing equally the
wealth and station he must in time
~ resign was his dearest wish. A tacit
understanding to that effect had ex-
listed for some time. No definite
promises had been exchanged, but.
Norton knew what was expected of
him on his return. "s3 :.
Also that were his uncle alive when
he reached The Court, the disclosure
OF his marriage would be certainly fol-
lowed by disinheritance; were he dead,
it would deprive Helen of home and
fortune. Whichever way he looked
he saw nothing but trouble ahead.
How he cursed his weak, infatuated
folly as the train whirlcd him through
the dark night, the bowling wind and
dreary, up,piled snow q s3's q ~ 81
IS III. 81 d. 55 a.
5. Nights silence brooded over The
Court as Norton drew up to thefamil-
lar door. Only a watch dog, q bayine
broke the stiffness. Brilliant moon
beamssilvered the sharp -crystal
covering lawn and flower beds; ruddy
freight from within touched with siri-
descent tints those clustered on vim
dow-sill and pane. SO had be seen the
did house wrapped inlits sno w mantle
sss d many d winter night Its unchanged
zysJeAfty weakened 81 yearning pain as
& for somet hing tsnvalued before, whose
d loss brought shame, remorse, misgivS
b yUQ.