The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-05-02
IN SEARCH or A WIFE.
By EVELYN THoRp.

Hi am Couldock might hsve looked some
what strange TO a civilized Eastern eye as
sie made his first appearance in the small,
picturesque Maine town his father had left
eight and twenty years before when Hiram
was pink-faced infant in long clothes. 1t
was difficult at sight of his enormous chest
and Titan-like shoulders and the full, short
chestnut beard that framed the lower por-
lion of his fine countensnce. TO picture to
ones self now that at any epoch of time ms
could ever have answered to the above de-
scription. but is safe to say that no feeling
Of stIangeness Of embarrassment had dwelt
In his own eoul, though he had go suddenly
been traHsplsnted amid conditions and sur
1oundings so utterly opposed to those to
which he had sil his lifs bsen accustomed,
until Mabel Trask, quickly crossing with the
soft, direct motion OF a bird on the wing the
length of her mothers pretty morning-room,
stretched out a slim hand toward him with
pretty cordialiiy OF welcome and spoke 8
few words in her low, wsll-modula ed. we'll
bred and wslI-traiped voice.
Then Hiram, for the first time in his lie,
bad q sudden and very disco3csrting sensa-
ton of being awkward Oondsrous, out of
place and iu at ease. Before this slight
delicate a al 10 mis- eyes ethereally refined
locking girl with the black hair brushed
loosely from = low Grecian brow. and pair
CT wonderfully oerk and deep blue eyes
looking with calm self possession at nm
from out of her small pale. oval faca. hs
felt himself great, huiking fellow, without
one Grace, one merit, one excuse FOR being.
The oainfinees OF the little psrlor, the
books. the flowers In vases. the slight femi-
nine Deedlew0rk lying about, the thousand
and one indications of refined, woulanly
presence, i'm pressed his Unworn seusibilities,
fresh from the free, Western life OF the
plains, with strange force. He bad no
means OF knowing, not being verssd 10 the
lore of women's looks. that while he sat
there, feeling himself to be like bull in
China shop. Mabel Trask was telling herself
in a reserved, maidenly fashion that ne was
the most superD.lo0king man she had ever
seen; so tall, so commanding, so simple, so
manly and gentle vithal; yes she felt sure
of mis- being gentle. Not knowing this, as
has been said, Hiram Couldock was uncom-
Portable and Disguised with himself exceed-
ingly. And thus it came to pass that his first
visit to Mrs. frask. who had known his father
long years sgo, and, indeed, had been
sweetheart OF his, and to her daughter, was O
brief one; and, in one sense, an unsatisfacto-
Ty one.
Now Hiram Couldock bad come East on
peculiar mission. The death of relative
who left him small sum in her will, had
served 50 an excuse for the journey; but, in
reality be had far other thoughts in his
mind when he sought his birthplace, than
this slim legacy. He had enough of bis own
and was doing well; in q few years more, il
luck remained bis friend, he would have
more than comfortable competency. Money,
then. troubled him not at all. Bat he wanted
wife, and be had come east to look for her
to find her.
This young fellow, with his Herculean ex-
terror, had, though he suspected it not in the
least great fund of ideslity, of hero.wo
ship, and q great capacity for boudIsss ten
derness and selfsacrifi,e, hidden in the
depths Of his soul. Uncons ciously be had
for years loved vague ideal semblance of 8
waman formed in his Own brain and heart
the few women he had come in contact with
about his western home had been very far
from reaching to the full stature of that per-
feet woman-the one woman in the world
for him existed somewhere, that his life
could never be complete until be had met
her face 10 face. grew with time until, fnsl
ly. this pretext of his auGts will serving
him. be bad started out with this half de-
Tined ldes OF finding her, with an ardent
wish to carry back 70 his hearthstone that
heiOmste whose presence would make
p. me- Tor the first time not an empty word.
When he left Mrs. rrasks house a singu-
lar thing occurred. He had walked the
1cu6tn VA Tue mdtu hLeel Oh the nIIle 10
still with that new, confused aud mortify-
ing sense of having bsen at a disadvantage
Apos him when he found himself suddenly
emerging from this mood and going over,
with curious and minute intensity, every
word Mabel Trask had spoken, every infec.
lion OF her voice and every look of her eyes.
Just then 8 little school girl passed him She
he'd small bunch OF violets in her hand
The perfume reached bim and he remem-
bereo that The very same scent had been
waited toward him when Miss Trask came
forward TO greet him. She had worn few
vieleis in her dress. The trivial coincidence
cent n small. subtle thrill through Hiram
CoHldock- &c stopped and stood perfectly
still for the space OF moment. Then hs
took one long breath and moved on. He
had suddenly felt ss surely SIS though
fash from heaven hsd been sent to iIlumine
the fact for him. that this was the one
woman, II at she had been met at last.
day or two passed and then Hiram
called again upon Mrs. Trssk. He had the
privilege of doing 50. owing 10 the long
friendship and intimacy of the two families.
and ne bad besides been specially urged to
come again, and come soon. Miss Trask was
IN the room. All, how lovely she looked
In light trained gown this time. which TO
the poor fellows eyes seemed gorgeous raj
usnt-is for the queen that she wss-thoush