Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1886-03-15
MIR. RANDALL'S MARRIAGE.

just on the cOnIlQoS OF one OF our
large manufacturing towns, there stands
an imposing residence of brown stone,
elevated by terraces above the road. sur
rounded by stately trees, and with a
wide extent OF garden stretching on all
sides.
| had been employed in panel-paint-
ing one of the large bedrooms for some
weeks, and my curiosity and interest
had been excited by the fact that the
master of the house, Mr.. Joseph Ran
dali, was tall, handsome man of less
than fifty years, while his wife was GER
tainly twenty years older, and a very
feeble old woman.
Yet never were any young couple
more seemingly devoted than this
oddly -contrasted pair; and |, living in
the house with constant occupation
there, certainly had good opportunity
for witnessing any matrimonial differ
ences, had any existed.
When my work was done, I returned
! to my own home, and several months
later, by quite an accident, not neces-
sary to record here, learned the story
of Mr.. Randall S marriage.
From early boyhood he was ''ne'er
do-well." Money ran through his fingers
like sand, and after his father, his
grandfather, and his uncle had each
started him in business, only to end in
failure, the family decided that he
would never be good for anything.
He was very handsome man, with
college education, the instincts and
manners of gentleman, and kindly in
feeling; but he was good-natured. truth
full, and too easily influenced by who
ever took the trouble to dictate to him.
At thirty he found himself bankrupt,
out of business, and without any definite
prospects; and while he was seriously
considering suicide as way out of his
difficulties, he received an invitation to
visit an old friend in Grantley, a pretty
village near the seashore.
He found Grantley at the height of
| its summer season, and his own attrac-
ton very readily acknowledged by the
ladies, who danced with him, strolled
on the beach by moonlight with him,
and accepted his graceful attentions
with smiling pleasure.
| 1t was here that he was introduced to
Miss Susan Harte and her niece and
supposed heiress, Miss Maude Max
WELL
They were ladies of position, refined
and graceful; the younger one lovely in
the freshness of her youth, pretty
blonde face, and slender figure; the
older one stately and dignified, show
| ing in every word a cultivated intellect
and strong common sense.
Bob White, Mr. Randall's friend, aft
er the introduction, spoke his mind with
frank if vulgar freedom:
go in for the heiress, Joe. They say
the old lady is worth quarter of
million, and Miss Maude is her only
relative. Anyone can see that they are
devoted to each other"
And anyone could also see every evil
dence of wealth in their surroundings.
Their own carriage, with two magniti-
cent horses, was with them for their
daily use, their costumes We're of the
most costly materials, their iewelry was
superb A lady's maid attended them,
and they occupied an entire suite of
rooms at the only hotel.
Friendship led to intimacy, and MIR.
Randall did try to fascinate the heiress.
whose simpering prettiness covered a
cold heart and "a very commonplace
mind.
To dress well, to be q centre of at
traction for bowing beaux, were the OBJ
jects of her ambition, and her conversa-
ton never rose above the level of the
smallest of small-talk.
Though he had always seemed to lack
business ability Mr. Randall was no
fool, and he found himself evening after
evening turning from Miss Maxwell s
vapid talk to the fresh strong mind
that shone through her aunts converse
ton.
Miss Harte was an accomplished mu-
sician, with rich contralto voice, and
love of music had always amounted to
passion with Mr.. Randall, so there
was strong bond of sympathy there.
The simmer wore away pleasantly,
and it was only when closed cottages
and deserted beach told of departing
guests that Joseph Maxwell asked him-
self seriously how his summer Irritation
was to end.
He was not conceited man, yet
Maude Maxwell had let him see very
plainly that she had preference for
his society and attentions Yet he
shrank from the prospect of wife with
no idea above dress and gaiety, how
ever richly she might be lowered.
Loving neither, in the true sense of
the word, he certainly found more pleas
ure in the society of the older lady and
then little demon of policy whispered
to him that, after all, the money was
Miss Harte's, and, with her social posi-
ton and attractions, she might marry,
and so deprive Maude of her sup
posed Inheritance
1t was true that she was old enough
to be his mother; but handsomer wo-
man, and one SO thoroughly tasteful in
dress, could always appear younger than
actual years warranted, and-he liked
her. yes, he certainly respected and
liked her.
For two or three days he hesitated,
shrinking yet from placing himself in
the position of fortune-hunter, and
then he wrote a manly tender letter to
Miss Harte, asking her to be his wife.
He had sufficient tact to avoid fowery
flattery, to make sickening protesta-
tions, and the letter bore the stamp OF
sincerity on every line. An hour later
Miss Harte was his affianced wife.
Escorting the ladies to their home, a
magnificent country seat, Mr.. Randall
WOulU HOb udfC UCGIl d uullldll Udu lie
not congratulated himself upon the fu-
ture ownership of the wealth so lavishly
represented all around him.
He had said nothing about the future
position of Miss Maxwell, good-natured-
ly willing that she should still find a
home with her aunt; but he sometimes
thought he would give her hint about
assuming so much the air of mistress Of
the house.
The wedding was magnificent, the
honeymoon spent in travelling upon q
weddinggift of a cheque from Mr.. Ran
dall's uncle; and one morning, in cosy
confidence, the subject of going home
arose.
Where have you taken rooms
dear?" Mrs. Randall asked; cor shall
you 60 to housekeeping?"
Rooms, cried the bridegroom
,, '.shall you not return to your own
house?"
my own house! | have no house
Joe," for suddenly the truth flashed
her; Ibid you think l had money?
thought everyone knew that l wa,
Maude's pensioner. OH and her face
.. grew very pale, "what fool | have
been! l thought you loved me-
''4ou were no tool in thinking that,
was the quick reply, as her husband pui
his arm around her; II do love YOU.
did think the position reversed. and tina
Maude depended on Won. but neye