The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1886-04-07
1IIs. RANDALL'S MARRIAGE.

Dir. RANDALL'S MARRIAGE.
Just on the confines 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 cxtent OF garden stretching on all
sides.
| had been employed in panel-paint-
ing one OF che 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 very
feeble old woman.
Yet never were any young couple
more seemingly devoted than this
oddly-contrastcd pair; and l, living in
tho house with constant occupa ton
there, certainly had good opportunity
for witnessing any matrimonial differ
cnces, had any existed.
When my work was done, I returned
to my own home, and several months
later. by quite an accident, not neccs-
sary to record here, | learned the story
of Mr.. Randall's marriage
From early boyhood he was Il "ne'cr
do-well.' Money ran through his fingers
like sand, and after his fatlcr, his
grandfather, and his uncle had each
started him III business, only to end in
fs.lurc, the family decided that he
--.ould never b., good for anything.
lie was q very handsome man, with
oJllcge education, the instincts and
manners of a gentleman, and kindly in
ceiling; but he was gOodnatured, truth
full, and too easily influenced by who
ever took the trouble to dictate to him.
At thirty he found himself bankrupt,
ont of business, and without any definite
prospects; and while he was seriously
considering suicide rs a way ont of his
difficulties, he received an invitation to
visit an old friend in Grantlcy. pretty
village near the srashorc.
Ie found Grantlcy ut the height Of
Its summer season, and his own uttrac-
ton very readily acknowledged by the
ladies. who danced with him, strolled
on the beach by moonlight with him,
ana accepted his graceful attentions
with smiling pleasure
1t was here that he WAS introduced to
Miss Susan IIartc and her niece and
supposed hrircsS. Miss Alaudc Max
well.
and graceful; the younger one lovely in
the freshness OF her youth, II pretty
blonde face, and slender figure; the
older one stately and digniiicd show
ing in every word :. cultivated intellect
and strong common sense.
Bob White. MIR. Randalrs friend, aft.
cr the introduction, spoke his mind with
frank if vulgar freedom:
go in for the hcircSs Joe. They say
tho old lad, is worth a quarter OF
million, ant Miss Maudc is her only
relative. Anyone can see that they are
devoted to each other"
And anyone could also see every evil
dcncc of wealth in their surroundings.
Their own carriage. with two magniti-
cent horses, was with them for their
daily use, their costumes were of the
most costly materials. their jcwclry was
superb. a lady's maid attended them,
and they occupied an entire suite of
rooms at tho only hotel.
Friendship led to intimacy, and MIR.
Randall did try TO fascinate the hciress,
whose simpcring prcttincss covered o
cold heart and very commonplace
mind.
TO dress well, to be a centre of at
traction for bowing bcaux, were the OBJ
jccts 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 Maxwolls
vapid talk to the fresh strong mind
that shone through her aunts conversa-
ton.
Miss Harte was an accomplished mu-
sioian, 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 IL was only when closed cottages
and q deserted beach told of departing
guests that Joseph Maxwell asked him
self seriously how his summer filtration
was to end.
He was not conceited man, yet
Maude Maxwell had let him SEQ very
plainly that she had preference for
his society and attentions. Yet he
shrank from the prospect of a 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 tho 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.
Il was true that she was old enough
70 bo his mother; but handsomer wo-
man, and one so thoroughly tasteful In
ssress, could always appear younger than