The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1885-08-26
THE MESSAGE.
Temple Bari

death; to the younger, a bridegroom. The
faded mistress of the rich parvenU's home
had lain down 10 die, facing the doom of all
with the cold stOicism of the neglected and
the unlOved. Ready TO take her place impa-
tient to clutch al the gauds the other de-
sspised. and to parade a triumph which should
have been her dishonor, was her rival
She was young woman of course. Subj
Ter feminine charms than bright eyes, rosy
lips always parting in n smile, slender fig
ure, and audacious, girliSh ways, were hardly
likely to fascinate man of John Harden's
.character-a man who had risen from the
meanest ranks OF life, spent his years in
money-gettIng. and Stunned rather than
sought good company III the true sense Of
the word. To be put out Of countenance by
no one, had been leading maxim of the
mOney-maker's career; whilst therefore sur
rounding himself with all the glitter OF opu-
lence, he remained the blunt, Plain-spoken,
hOmely John Harden of early days. He
was just sixty, and the girl busted with such
affectation Of occurrences on some foolish
bOarding-schOOl bead-work could hardly be
twenty The pair sat opposite to each other
by the fire, only interchanging word from
time to time. betrayiDg nothing OF their
secret thoughts TO chance eavesdrOppers at
the door. Yet despite such guarded speech,
a quick observer must have seen at glance
how It stood with both; the girls flushed
cheek and sparkling eyes, the mans look of
suppressed satisfaction, told their own story.
The dread messenger whose name is Death.
as he passed through this hushed house,
made way for joyous successor whom, I'M
der various guiSeS, men call Love.
The hand of the costly time-piece on the
Gnantel-shelf pointed TO u, and the mere
sign seemed TO chill the air. Mr.. Harden
rose to make up the fire, as he did 50 letting
one hand fall on his companions. 1T is
growing late and cold. Better go to bed,
Constance he said. in voice OF tender con-
Germ.
The girl. allowing herself for a moment TO
he carried away by impulse, leaned forward,
her bright brown curls Just touched his
scant gray locks, her sOftly-rOunded cheek
Just came in contact with his own. lined and
corrugated with care. should leave you
alone at such a time?" she whispered. He
said nothing but kneeling before the fire,
making ii up after methodical fashion,
cOntrived at the same time TO transfer from
his waistcOat pocket to her not unwilling
fingers, a minute box of crimson leather
lined with velvet. Within cleaned a we'd
upon it furtively, her lovers face showed ex-
ultatiOn equal to her own.
To this shallow girl, the first glimpse of
her wedding ring meant everything that life
itself could mean. She was nothing DOS
sessed nothing; the ring would give her all
she set store by, and render her exactly what
she wished 10 become. Ii would throw
the responsibility of her own exist
ence upon anothers shoulders, relieve
her from the OdiOus burden of bread
winning, afford her luxury, social
power. and the kind of sway over an
ordinary nature that by such women is made
TO do duty for affection. The ring in short,
was to open wide the portals of a career after
her own heart, without it, unattainable as a
crown. To the man also the ring symbol
lied the aspect of life most agreeable to him.
In one respect mOney-making had not rem
dered him callOus. To his mind certain
feminine type ever remained irresistible. OF
ideal lOveliness, OF spiritual or intellectual
beauty. IL was not at all likely that he should
have the remOtest conception; but he owned
the sway or irOlicSOme girlhOOd, the easy as
surance OF young, handsome. reckless
women. To surface charms OF look or man.
ner he was ever ready 10 do homage. But
the ring had other and grayer meaning for
him. His first marriage had been childless.
The enormous wealth amassed 50 labOriously
lacked an heir. Might not a young wife
make him the proud father of blooming chill
dren?
The tiny box consigned to its hiding
place, Mr. Harden fetched from the lobby
close by, a carriage cloak lined with rare fur.
and bestowed ii carefully about the girls
shoulders. He next went to the sidebOard,
and, half-flling a glass with wine, "DO not
let yourself get chill or faint then" he said
softly, standing over her, glass in hand.
She just slipped the wine and put back the
glass. smiling gratefully. He returned to
the sidebOard, swallowed the remainder of
the wine. then sat down in his old place by
the fire.
Just then the door was tapped lightly and
an elderly. homely wOman-servant made her
appearance.
IF you please sir" she said. without
looking at the girl, mistress is herself again,
and asks for YOU
Such summons, unwelcOme although il
might be, was imperative. With lingering
look at the vision of life, youth and jollity
left behind, Mr.. Harden followed his hushed
condUctress TO the chamber of death.
II.
Ii was a strikingly luxurious room hung
with rich arras Of crimson silk and carpets
to match, in which the feet sank nOiseleSsly.
On each side OF the venetian looking glass
were handsome French eandelabras. supported
by little loves in tinted porcelain. On the
dressing table glittered silver-topped scent
bottles and a wOman's small watch set with
diamonds. The fire had been allowed to burn
low, and only one small lamp lit up the
silent room and its solitary occupant
worn, white haired woman, whose life was
nearing its close,
II was easy to see that, like her husband,
Mrs Harden had not been born to such lux
ury as this; her physiOgnOmy as well as his
own. Indicated a hOmely origin. Her thin
hands still showed evidence Of laborious toll.
The heavy silk curtains of warm red. and
dOwny quilt covered with satin. were in
strange contrast with the look of the mis-
tress. Twenty years Of Opulence had never
familiarized her with il. To the last she
looked as indeed she felt, stranger in her
own house.
$50 away Anna" she said gently to the
laithful peasant woman who had grown old
IN her service. Leave us alone"
The husband realized at glance what had
happened. She had remembered something
been reminded Of something she wanted tO say
70 him at the last, and as will often happen
IN the case of the dying, q brief return of con-
seriousness was accompanied by mOmentary
recovery OF physical strength-ast bright,
evanescent flicker Of the flame OF life
The servant withdrew, and Mrs. Harden
now beckOned the shrinking. conscience
stricken man to her bedside.
u !. 81.