The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1886-02-25
Mr.. RANDALL,s nfARRIAGE.


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, MIR. Joseph Ran
dali, was 3 tan, handsome man of less
than fifty years, while his wife was GER
| tainly twenty years older, and very
feeble old woman.
Yet never were any young couple
more seemingly devoted than this
oddly-contrasted pair; and 1, living in
the house with constant occupa ton
there, certainly had good opportunity
for witnessing any matrimonial differ
ences, had any existed.
When my work was done, / 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 a '.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 a
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 dignifed, show
ing in every word cultivated intellect
and strong common sense.
Bob White, Mr.. RandalI'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 a 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 magnifi-
cent horses, was with them for their
daily use, their costumes were of the
most costly materials, their jewelry was
a IoI rx5a oAk Cd haVF1
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 centre of at
traction for bowling beaux, were the OBJ
jects of her ambition, and her converse
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
vapid talk to the fresh strong mind
that shone through her aunt's converse
ton.
Miss Harte was an accomplished mu-
| love of music had always amounted to
q 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 a conceited man, yet
| Maude Maxwell had let him see very
plainly that she had a 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.
It 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 f1owery
f1attery, to make sickening protestar
tions, and the letter bore the stamp o.
sincerity on every line. An hour iatel
Il L
Miss Harte was his affianced wife.
I1scortlng the ladies to their home,
magnificent country seat, Mr.. Randall
would not have been q human had ht
not congratulated himself upon the fu
ture ownership OF the wealth so lavish,
represented all around him.
He had said nothing about the futur'
| position Of Miss Maxwell, good-natured
" willing that she should still find ;
home with her aunt; but he sometime
thought he would give her hint abou
assuming so much the air of mistress o
the house.
The wedding was magnificent, tn
honeymoon spent in travelling upon
weddinggift of a cheque from Mr.. Ran
dal's uncle; and one morning, in cos
confidence, the subject of going hom
: arose.
/ ''Where have you taken room:
: dearP'' Mrs Randall asked; ''or sha
YOU go to housekeeping"
Rooms cried the bridegroom
shall you not return to your ow
house?''
{ s.My own house! 1 have no hous'
q | joe" for suddenly the truth fashe
? her; did you think l had money?
: thought everyone knew that l wa
]. Maude's pensioner. Oh and her fac
u grew very pale, s.what fool | hay
o been! thought you loved me"
& ..You were no fool in thinking that,
j was the quick reply, as her husband ps
q his arm around her; 81 do love you.
Il did think the position reversed, and thu
O Maude depended on yOui but nevt
doubt my love. II it was not very a
dent when proposed to you. it grow
stronger every day, it grows strOngt
o every day that We spend together"
Il but vet You thought me wealthy?
10 "a humiliating fact cannot deny;
and then in q sudden outburst of com
dence, Mr. Randall told his wife Il
whole truth, dwelling somewhat long
upon his business attempts and perpie'
tiles, than on the hope he had ente
tanned Of s future life OF luxurio'
4. idleness.
When he had finished. his wi
Z, spoke:
s1You may not ike to hear my fat
' er's opinion of me, Joe, though
C. meant It to be a complimentary on
A. He always said | should have been
,e man, for had true business hea
For ten years before he died he "
Paralysed. and / was the actual head
. his business, the weaving Of carpets.