Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-12-26
AN OLD MANS DARLING,

AN OLD MANS DARLING.
Written for the REcoRD-UNIoN by Gene Lecreg.
Talk about fate !' said Maud Langdou
to bevy of girls who had assembled Al
her house, " I, for one, do not believe in it
Every girl holds her future in her own
power-so tar at least, as marriage is con.
cerned. If she makes mistake by choos.
ing some poor, worthless fellow, merely
because she fancies herself in love with
him, it is all her own fault, and tate has
nothing to do with it ~
As the beautiful girl concluded the above
speech, she looked bout to see the effect
of her words on the other girls; but none
save Irene Hammond, cared to make any
comments on the subject.
Perhaps you are right, Maud" Miss
Hammond remarked, in her usual calm,
gentle tone of voice. However, [ do not
belleve In marriage at ALL unless prompted
by the purest, sincerest, most self-sacrific-
ing ties of love- How often we see about
us marriages which are contracted from q
mere financial point of view Such mar.
case OF young girl who, for the purpose
only OF improving her condition financially
marrleS man for whom she has no
admiration or respect, much less love. a
case of this kind once came under nv
observation; and, in truth, my heart went
out in pity to them both. The one ambi.
ton of her young life was gratified. She
was courted far and wide for her youth
beauty and riches; but of this she soon
wearied. Life held nothing in store for her
but disappointment and vain regrets. OF
him 1t is enough to say that his life was
almost accused. He loved his young wife
he admired her; but to see her courted and
admired by Others-bv younger and gaye1
men than himself-galled him to the quick
will not try to portray his misery-we
can easily imagine it. l will only add that
such marriages are cruelty wrong No
marriage is really worth the name which is
not sanctitied in the sight of the Creator. -
Irene had evidently touched a tender
spot in Mauds heart. The dark ewes
dropped crimson flush rose to the fair
cheeks, and Miss Hammond knew that she
had said too much. However, Maud soon
recovered her self-possession, and said, with
light laugh:
Talk asyou may, |, for one, do not be-
lieve it sin to marry an old man for his
money. Marriage at best, is but business
transaction but where there is also a little
love combined it must certainly be much
nicer for all parties concerned"
After this the girls laughed and chatted
merrily enough for half an hour or more
and then, having bid their hostess an af-
fectionate goodnight, wended their way
homeward.
Why did Maud blush so furiousy, and
why did you girls look at me so signifi-
cantly when | essayed to give my views on
the marriage question ?" Irene asked when
they were some distance down the gravel
path.
Why. Irene, do you not know ?" broke
in Lucy Coleman, eager to be the first to
impart the news. " Have you not heard
that Maud is engaged to old Willard-Isaac
Willard?
Why, no. Then fear l have really
offended the poor girl. But is there not a
chance that this report is unfounded? |
would not take Maud to be the girl who
would sell herself for wealth, nor even for
a titled name"
think she was disappointed in her
real love affair" said Sarah Denney and
that may be the reason why she has chosen
Ike Willard However. it is also reported
that Mrs. Langdon is using her influence
in behalf of the old man, whose money she
perhaps thinks will render her daughter
life perfectly happy"
About five years ago Maud was engaged
TO Gerald Courtney, and that they loved
each other devotedly have not the least
doubt But he was too poor to give his
wife home such as he thought she de-
served and, with the determination OF
making a fortune for himself, he went to
California. With the exception of one let
ter, Maud has never received a line from
him, although she wrote repeatedly to the
place from which he had written. Then,
to make bad worse, few months ago she
saw a notice of his marriage-at least, she
supposes it to have been his-to a Califor-
MIA belle. So, you see, Maud is not so much
to blame. after all, for not believing as we
do, that love is all in all"
No, she is not" Irene said, thought
fully, Poor girl l hope she may be
happy with the old man whom she has
chosen for a mate An old mans dar-
ling is not always the happiest condition
of a womans life despite all the argu-
ments laid forth in behalf of such mar
riages"
Two years have elapsed, and Maud
Willard, now quite wearied of the never
ending routine of fashionable dinners, par
ties, and the like, has accepted Irene
Hammonds invitation to spend a month
at Rosedale.
Everything in and about the cottage was
cosy, neat and clean. The surrounding
scenery was simply grand, with its tall,
stately trees, its green fields and clear.
purling streams.
II is Just such a scene as one sometimes
sees in pictures, but seldom has the pleas
ure of realizing in nature" Maud said.
when she first beheld the beautiful valley
of Rosedale " How peaceful, how happy
your life must be here, with all the friends
you love, and who love you in return. Do
you know long for just such a secluded
spot. where | might hide myself forever
from the gay, fashionable world? Oh
how blissful it would be, with Nature for
my guide to pass the summer of my ex-
istence in such sweet seclusion and, when
the autumn comes, to quietly prepare my
self for the winter, with its frost and chill. F"
Why, Maud Irene exclaimed, in sur
prise, :" have you really grown weary of
society so soon? 1t is but little more
than two years ago since l heard you ex-
press desire for just the gay sort of life
you can now lead"
True, quite true; but / was miserable
Irene, and longed to plunge myself into
the vortex of fashionable life, hoping there
by to drown tue melancholy of an aching
heart. Time has brought change, how
ever, and am content-resigned."
Irene, realizing that the channel into
which their conversation had drifted,
called forth sad memories to the mind of
her friend, dismissed the subject with some
light remark, and they were soon snugly
ensconced in the beautiful cottage at Rose
dale, where they were most heartily well
coined by all.
Hattie, show Mrs. Willard and your
sister to their rooms, while | see how the
tea is getting along" Mrs Hammond said.
as she hurried away to give new orders to
the cook.
The girl obeyed, remarking piayfully, as