The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1885-11-20

paper" was all he said as he pointed
to the check.
Again the door closed, and this time
he was indeed gone. Sheheard him go
to his closet on the same floor and
lock himself in; that was q sign also
she had learned to understand. Moth
ing remained but to do as she was
bid. After all he was master in his
own house. She might weep, remon-
strate, implore, she could not stay
against his will,
Humiliation, mortified vanity and
dismay were succeeded by other feel
ings. On the whole, perhaps, her sud-
den departure would not create much
talk in the neighborhood and in the
kitchen. She was young and no re-
lation. Would it not be quite natur-
al for Mr.. Harden, in the eyes of the
world her benefactor only, to send her
away? And certainly, as far as her
own feelings and inclinations were con-
| cerned, she would rather be anywhere
than in house with the blinds down,
and the hush of death reigning over it.
In her heart of hearts. but for the er-
rand, she was really glad to go.
And, lastly that check, when she
grew calm enough to think about it,
altogether altered the aspect of things
She had no idea of Mr.. Harden's real
wealth, but the sum he had just given
her in lieu of O. wedding ring seemed to
her simple eyes enormous. Whatever
happened, she was a great parsonage
now. 1t was characteristic of thegirl,
as she deposited the check at the bot
tom of her trunk, and sullenly made
her preparations for departure, that
she never for a single moment regretted
the affection of this man or what had
passed muster for his affection. She
only thought of his rough batteries,
his unfgurative compliments, his
homely admiration. But all these,
and much more. surely, awaited her in
the triumphant future. Why should
she shed a tear for one who could part
from her without a handclasp, a smile,
fond look? She almost felt that in
time she would learn to hate him.
True enough, punctual to the mo-
ment, William waited in the porch
with the broughman; a moment later
and woman's trunk was placed on
the top, slender, girlish figure wear
ing small crimson hat with white
feather, and ht-ftting crimson man
tie bordered with fur, stepped in, the
door was shut, and as if divining' his
masters wishes, the old manservant
drove the carriage swiftly, toward the
lodge gate.
What the rich man did with his
inner life from that time, none knew.
Outwardly it was clear for all to see,
a model of austereness, rectitude and
rigid adherence to duty. Mr.. Harden
made no affection of piety, of conver-
sion, as the phrase goes. He did not
take to reading his Bible, or exces-
sive church-going. The exactions of
conscience and custom in this lat
ter respect had ever been fulfilled by
him.
But in his lonely, remorse-stricken
widowhood he took to good company.
Alike in look, dress and manner, he
affected the air of q gentleman. AS if
to challenge the world, moreover to
say syllable against his character,
he generally had to reside with him
some needy clergyman, or young man
preparing for Holy Orders, with whom
he took his meals and spent his eve
nings over chess and backgammon.
He gave clerical dinner-parties, too,
delighting to assemble round his lux
urious board all the clergy of the
neighborhood, well pleased also, in
turn, to accept invitations to their
houses and be initiated into what is
called good society generally. The
world of course welcomed the
millionaire into their ranks. He
might have married half a dozen
times, to his social and moral
advancement, had he pleased. From
the first, however, it was evident to
all that, whatever John Harden might
do for the Church and society, he
would never marry again. Clerical la
dies might get money out of him. No
woman would ever persuade him to
purchase wedding-ring. These dis
fractions relieved the tendium of soil
tude, and if he did not look cheerful,
at least heinvariably wore an express
ion of satisfaction. He might well
look satisfied! He was satisfying him
self, in other words, as he thought,
balancing his moral affairs, and put
ting himself on the right side OF the
banking book.
Nor was the widower forsaken in
moments of sickness or when intirmi-
ties overlook him. The devoted An
ma, whose heart had once turned Who'll
ly against him, whose feminine in
stlncts had revolted againsts the
sights put upon her mistress, now
testified even affectionate solicitude
for the changed repentant man. And
if there was one person in the world
to whom he ever opened his lips on the
subject of the past, it was to his wife's
faithful servant and only friend
Temple Bar.