Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-04-11
q MAYNARD WARD.


the world knows, to find law and order il
even the most abnormal phenomena, t.
suggest at least an adequate explanation OF
every enigma. For what other purpose
does he exist than to throw light on the
surrounding darkness? He is a torch.
bearer to humanity's ignorance. If now
and again, by reason ola pessimist tempera
ment o. defect of training, the rays he
sheds around intensity rather than dis
pei the gloom, and cast shadows as OF
Egyptian night across mans forward path
surely he misconstrues his mission.
But the wisest head is sometimes puz-
zled, and the shrewdest explorer of the all
enyironing mystery is sometimes con-
founded. A problem presents itself which
cannot be resolved by any of the familiar
processes. The why of some suddenly dis
closed fact is as inscrutable as the Sphinx
of the Eastern desert. 1t was thus with
Bernard Ralston.
Those who thirst for fame, as miners
thirst for gold, or coquets for admiration,
would have found, much to envy in this
Young man 5 position. At an age when a
statesman is currently supposed to be
studying his parliamentary primer, and
when future general may still be with
ing under the sarcasmS of a barrack-room
instructor, Bernard RalstOn had been well
coined into the front rank of philosophical
thinkers. His book on = Instinct Con-
science and Reason was read and criti-
cised by the few, praised and avoided by
the many The noisy heterodox claimed
him as new and promising recruit; and
So cleo 70 rho Of tbp on locker
did the stanchest maintainers of old land
marks. He was flattered, fcted, and the
lion of his season.
1t was from this suddenly acquired dis
tinction that his embarrassment had ap-
preached. The solicitors letter that was
the beginning of sorrows made this clear.
1t ran thus:
Dear Sir: We have to inform you that by the
viii of our late client, Humphrey Power, you
are appointed sole guardian of his only suryiv-
ing daughter, Olive. As this may be in the
nature of a surprise, we beg leave TO quote the
precise paragraph of the will: " And hereby
empower Bernard Ralston to act in every re-
spect as the guardian of my child l am sure
that Olive can have no filter or wiser protector,
none better qualified to advise and to regulate
her life; and should he-as l earnestly beg
accept and fulfill this charge, ! give and be
dueath TO the said Bernard Ralston, over and
above such reasonable expenses as he may have
incurred on my daughters behalf, the sum of
ter's twenty-first birthday, MS small tribute of
my gratitude"
The Young lady is q very considerable heireSs,
in her eighteenth year, and at present. at a pri,
vate pension i'll France. Further particulars Will
follow on your reply. We are, dear sir, yours
obediently, FANSHAWE x FITCH.
The gift of the proverbial white elephant
could have produced in no heart q greater
CONSERVATION What should a retired and
solitary student, of serious pursuits and
COurtly manners, answer to such chal-
ienge5 If Cleethorpe Hall were large, it
by no means followed that he wanted more
life within its bounds, and q girl in her
teens, mere child, as with the sage wis
dom of five-and- thirty years he considered
her How could her presence by his fire
side be harmonized with the quiet current
of the life he elected to live?
Yet, the bait of five thousand pounds was
a temptation. The glories of Cleethorpe
Hall had been sadly furnished through the
improvidence of Demands father, and phi
Iosophy is not particularly remunerative
hobby 10 ride Mr.. Humphrey Power 5
legacy, if not precisely a fortune, would be
an assistance in the keeping up of the re-
stricted Cleethorpe establishment.
The matter was debated long and anXi-
ously, and as the result Miss Olive Power
arrived at the hall one snowy February
feature. with merry, yiolet-tinted brown
eyes, and lips continually parting in a
piduant smile over teeth of whitest pearl,
if he was properly to protect his ward, his
position might not prove sinecure- Neither
did it.
The girls beauty attracted suitors as clio
Yer blossoms allures bees and it was soon
an open secret in the country side that
Miss Power, as well as being lonely and
lovely young thing, was richly lowered
one This brought the sometimes lugubri-
Gus voice of Prudence into reasonable ac-
cord the chorus of alteration.
But Olive was not minded to be an easy
CAPTURE for any of her wooers. With a
w0mans instructive dexterity she kept
them all at bay, and at twenty had escaped
the necessity Of as yet refusing any offer in
formal and unequivocal terms. She was
developing a taste for study which halt
amused, half interested her guardian. One
evening he Playfully rallied her on her
application to sundry big volumes in the
library
Il shall be accused of transforming a
merry and bewitching young LADY into a
blue stocking-a disciple of my own dry-as-
dust pursuits he said; some one some
day may have special cause to blame me, |
fear
4 sudden blush was on the maiden 5
checks. and her glance fell. Ii was impos-
sible that she should misnterpret Bernard 5
meaning.
There Is Oswald Harbury TO think of,
Olives guardian was daring enough to add
Two shining eyes were momcntarily
uplifted. Was the fash they gave one OF
Indignation, of scorn, or merely OF confu-
sion at betrayed secret? Bernard could
not guess.
The nature of my employments can
make no difference whatever, in any way
that I can imagine, to Mr.. Iarbury, she
answered. Then-it seemed to Bernard a
strange transition" Viii you forgive me
fer asking a favor?" she went swiftly on
" should like-oh, so much to help in
your work. Could l not copy ont your
notes or revise proof sometimes
What philosopher could have success
fully resisted the volunteered help of such
an amanuensis? Not Bernard RaIston.
II was summer, three months later than
the date of this conversation. Olives
guardian was seeking his ward in her own
hoUdoir with gloom upon his face and a
depression of soul which deiied his analysis.
He had message to convey and proposal
to informally submit, which he had little
doubt would be accepted Oswald Har-
bury, the young owner of half CIeethorpe.
had asked permission to lay himself and
his fortunes at Olives feet He loved her.
he said; he would do his best to make her
happy. .,
home to offer you and is a ue-hearted
honorable gentleman. As your guardian
Olive, l am bound to give my sanction to
so fair and promising suit. May bid
Mr.. Harbury to come and plead his own
cause?"
He had spoken hoarsely and in a queer
far-off kind of voice that he hardly recog-
nized as his own. It was surely singular
and must testify to an unsupported weak
ness of character, that the prospect of sep
aration from the ward originally received
with so much doubt and dread should thus
make havoc of his peace He waited for
the answer in suspense that was positive
ly harrassing Atlast 1t came.
No you may not" Olive said, unless
indeed, you wish to get rid of me-to send