The weekly sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1886-1887, 1886-10-14

the husband of her affections. He
never addresses me; doubt if he
knows I'm around, as his attention
seems wholly riveted upon his en-
ployer. Mr. Herrick seems strangely
attached to him, and have conclud-
ed perhaps there is some mysterious
relationship exiting between them,
but if 50 they evidently wish to APP
pear in a different light, as he calls
Mr.. Herrick BY that name, and Mr..
Herrick calls him Abel. He is short,
thickly-set, of about eighteen, with
thick crop of sandy hair, which he is
continually smoothing. Several times
1 have been tempted to ask Mrs Muir
ray concerning him, but as she has
never alluded to him, / have thought
perhaps the subject was painful.
| notice that Mr.. Herrick looks
concerned whenever Belle gives large
companies now, or requires money for
any purpose. | can't help 1onjectur-
ing it his brothers business is on a
solid foundation, or resting on quick
sand, like some I've read of, that
some day devour thousands, leaving
desolation around.
Poor Belle. if such a day ever
comes to her, she is really to be pitied,
as then in bitter woe, will she realize
her miserable bargain.
She tells me that Conrad's afianced
has forever cast Stigma upon her
family, by preferring the companion
ship through life of a salaried clerk,
who, however, was the possessor of
mind, to one of ease and elegance with
TIE rich simpleton, and being lady
of her own affections and is at present
the mistress of a tiny home, in a most
questionable street.
Upon hearing this, [ form so great
admiration for her, that I feel inclined
to call forthwith, and praise her wis
DOM
Thus Conrad stands unfettered in
the matrimonial field, and Belle, who
now stands in the light of a confidante
concerning his attachment for me.
evinces the most ardent desire to make
match between US, and attempts to
further all his designs for bringing us
together, but I foil her every en-
deavor, and she begins, as she AYERS,
the height to which eccentricity can
reach
CHAPTER XIV.
Mrs. Maitland has developed into
fashionable invalid, and as Conrad is
too old for tutor, he is rather freer
than formerly, so he almost torments
me to death with his presence, but [
snub him so outrageously, that even
with his obtuse perceptions, he can see
something is wrong, and seems to
stand in mortal dread of me yet is
fascinated, withal, to such an extent
that he is irresistably drawn to the
house.
A singular incident, in regard to
him, happened to me the other night.
Belle had gone out as usual. I had
most peremptorily dismissed my ar
dent admirer for the evening upon the
plea of studying.
Mrs. Murray sat in her accustomed
seat in the corner, knitting; she knits
all the socks her son David wears, and
says she used to for both, but thinks
Belle don't look upon 'em as fine
enough for rich folks, and she guesses
they amt, that's fact.
l resorted to practicing as soon as
Conrad had closed the front door, and
was so much engrossed that I didn't
notice Mr.. Herrick had joined us. He
invariably eats his dinner an hour
later now; the pressure of business
seems so much greater upon him than
the head of the firm. 1 suppose such
things may not appear SO singular
hereafter, but it does seem to me that
my affairs would be of more interest
to me than to trust them in anyone's
hands, even if l did place implicit
confidence in them.
After had completed my allotted
task, I observed his presence, and
played and sang some of his favorites
for him; 1 always am so glad
to do something for him, be takes so
few pleasures. Is merely his broth
er's business machine, and
feel SO angry with my brother
Phillip for throwing all the work
upon him. l can see it is so, for
while one has time for everything, the
other is at the grindstone of business
all the time. 1t is strange to me that
their circumstances are not reversed,
Mr.. Herrick being the rich man in
stead of his brother; but Mrs. Muir.
ray says her son Phillip had streak
| of luck out west, and David advised
him how to invest, and helps him in
the business. She also says David has
the best head for business, but Phillip
has the luck. l wonder if, in some
cases, that doesn't come 10 mean less
h anesty
I II