Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1885-09-24
THE LAWYERS c r

occupants that Gerald Langton, laws
yer and millionaire, listened with
bated breath and pallid cheeks to a
low and melodious voice that told a
story of Il life.
The speaker, a beautiful women of
about thirty, yet ten years younger
than Mr.. Langton. reclined in a low
cushioned chair, her attire speaking
of the ease wealth gives. but her face
was full of the deepest anguish as her
lips recounted the story.
"You love me-" she said gently, yet
sadly, land l love you as l never
loved any one before although | am
a widow. That you know, out did
not know my husbands name. By
my uncle's last request / dropped it
and took with it the property he had
left me. Do not look at me tenderly,
Gerald; do not shake my voice or my
heart, for when you know who | am
you will not repeat the offer you
made me, and which, heaven is my
witness, / tried to divert"
LET your conscience be at rest
there" said her listener in a grave yet
tender voice; "you have never given
me oKe hope, Maude. By what in
stinct | knew that you loved me ! can
never tell. Something in your eyes,
some tone of your voice, betrayed
you. If, as you say, something in
your past life does separate us, you
have been no coquette to torment me
with false hopes. But, Maude, tell
me again, whatever stands between
US, you love me-
II love you" she said gravely land
it is because | love you that l will not
let you link your honorable name
with that wretch VINO was my hus-
band. | was very young-not sixteen
when he came to make q visit to
some friends living at Grassbank.
Uncle Richard has a country seat
near the village, l first met Alexan-
der at a picnic; he was the very life of
the party everybody's cavalier court.
eous to all; full of wit and animation
and service TO all. l believe every
girl IN the grounds thought she had
captivated him, his attentions were so
well divided and yet so impressive to
each one. He claimed to be no more
than q salesman in q large wholesale
house, with a large salary, but he had
the macner of a gentleman of educa-
ton and the most perfect beauty of
face and form that | ever saw IN a
man. 1t was not long before it was
evident he wished 10 win my love,
and he had an easy task. Such love
as a child Of sixteen a give | gave
him. He was the impersonation of
every hero of poetry and fiction with
whom my limited reading had made
me familiar. Schoolgirl>like, l had
made an ideal hero, and fitted this, my
first admirer, with all his imaginary
PROJECTIONS.
From the first Uncle Richard dis
liked him, pronouncing him false and
shallow, and assuring mt that my
personal attractions had not won his
heart; but the fact of nay being an
heiress to 3 large property had gained
me the protestations in which | firmly
believed.
sit is a painful story to me now,
Gerald. Let it suffice that | lived in
a world of pleasant dreams while he
was at Grassbank. When he left he
carried my promise to be his wife at
Christmas.
81 think if my money mad depended
on Uncle Richard my marriage might
have been prevented by his threaten
ing to disinherit me, but both from
my father and mother | had inherited
money that made me independent in a
pecuniary sense Of his control or con-
sent.
Most grudgingly, however, uncle
did consent, after searching inquiry
about Alexander, resulting in no
worse report than that his employers
thought him fast, idle, and just the
man TO be a fortune hunter. Even
then my dear uncle would have pro-
tected my fortune by settling it ups
on myself; but, with the reckless gen
crosby of extreme youth, / refused to
have this done. Never, l was firmly
convinced, would my adored Alex.
ander wrong me in any way.
For a year after the splendid we'd
ding that made me Alexander's wife
was very happy. | was to ignorant
of values to understand that we were
living far beyond our income-en-
Toying TO the utmost the luxurles
around me-tbe constant gayety that
was in such strong contrast to the
school routine from which | had been
released.
"Then began alife of neglect, often
of quarreling, when | objected to my
husbands course of conduct-his
drinking, his extravaganza and his
late hours. Still, found my own
pleasure in society.
1T was four years after my mar.
riage, when | was thunderstruck by
Alexander asking me to request a
loan of money FROM Uncle Richard,
with the information added that every
penny of my property vas gone.
''Slnce then | have known that a
large portion OF it was lost at the
gaming table.
Long before this l had lost all love
for my husband. Respect had died
out when l knew the aissipated life
ne was leading, and, foolish as ! was,
could not continue to love a man
whom I despised. / refused the err
rand. and brought down a torrent of