The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1886-04-01

the position OF q fortune-hunter, and
then he wrote a manly tonder letter to
Miss Harte, asking her to be his wife.
He had sufficient tact to avoid ftowery
aattery, to make sickening protesta-
tions, and the letter bore the stamp Of
sincerity On every line. An hour later
his messenger brought an answer, and
Miss Harte was his affianced wife.
Escorting the ladies to their home, o
magnificent country seat, Mr.. Randall
would not have been human had he
not congratulated himself upon the fu-
ture ownership of the wealth 80 lavishly
represented all around him.
dc had said nothing about tho future
position of Miss Maxwell, good-naturcd-
ly willing that she should still find a
homo with her aunt; but ho sometimes
thought he would give her hint about
assuming SO much the air Of mistress nf
the house.
Tho wedding was magnificent the
honeymoon spent in travelling upon u
wcdding-gift of chcque 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; "or shall
you go to housckecping?'
Rooms" cried the bridegroom;
.'shall you not return to your own
housep"
my own house! l have no house,
Joe," for suddenly the truth flashed
her; did you think l had money! |
thought everyone knew that 1 WAS
Maude's pensioncr. Oh" and her face
grew worry pale, what n fool have
''4ou were no fool in thinking that"
was the quick reply, as her husband put
his arm around her; II do love you. 1
did think the position reversed, and that
Maude depended on you; but never
doubt my love. If it was not very ar
dent when proposed to you, it grows
stronger every day, it grows stronger
every day that we spend together"
"But yet you thought me wcalthyp"
"A humiliatinS fact cannot deny"
and then in sudden outburst of conf
dcnce, MIR. Randall told his wife the
whole truth, dwelling somewhat longer
upon his business attempts and perplex-
tiles, than on the hope he had enter
tanned of future life of luxurious
idlcncsS
When he hod finished, his wife
spoke:
You may not like to hear my faith
cr's opinion Of me, Joe, though he
meant it to be complimentary one.
lie always said [ should have been a
man, for had a true business head.
For ten years before he died he was
paralyscd, and was the actual head Of
his business, the weaving of carpets, in
W. He left me competency, which
was stolen from me by dishonest trus-
tee; and I should have taken up some
occupation to gain my own living had
not Maudc been left an orphan, and im-
plored me to live with her.
"lt was scarcely a life of dependence,
for she needed me, and her lavish pifts
of clothing and jewelry l accepted in
the place of the salary anyone else in
my place must have been paid. Twas
housGkceper and craperOn, and we were
very happy; but never dreamed that
was supposed TO own her wealth.
Now listen to my proposition: The
factory my father controlled is closed,
but am an old friend of the owner
who carried on the business for a short
time after my father died, and found
his ignorance of the details swept away
all his profits. will introduce you to
him, and the sale Of my diamonds will
give us sufficient capital for modest
start You will be nominal master, as
my father was, until you conquer all the
lntrlcacios OF the business, gain our old
customers, and can carry on tho whole
without any assistance. Until then, let
ME direct and teach you, as helped MY
father. Whom you are q rich man
and here Mrs. Randall's eyes grew dim
with tender feeling-"you can buy mo
some more diamonds"
1t was not q matter for hasty de-
cision. Mr.. Randall, remembering his
failures, was doubtful OF his own abil;-
ty, but his wife had hor way, and be-
fore their welded life was six months
old, Mr.. Randall was engaged in his
new business.
Spurrcd on by an hor st shame that
woman had better business head
than his own, he did what he never done
beforo-threw his whole soul into his
business, and was amazed himself to
lind how rapidly he learned to guide it.
Every day filled his heart With deeper
love for the noblo woman who was so
true and faithful helpmate TO him;
who, with all the knowledge he lacked,
never let one clork or employs guess
her real position.
AT nome, in the evening, she showed
him the result of her days correspond
cnce or book excepting. and gave him clear
instructions for the next DAYS work. And
he. learning all quickly, had sufficient
sense to let her control the cntire bust
ness, until she herself, after two wears of
faithful work, said:
"You can do without me now, dear.
1 resign"
They had lived very economically in
those two years, Mrs. Randall govern
ing the small house and one servant as
efficiently as she had controlled her
nicco's grand mansion or the affairs of
the factory.
But ambition once reused in Joseph
Randall, he resolved to give his wife
homo as handsome as the one she had
left fov love of him. Depriving her OF
no comfort he could afford to give her,
he denied himself all extravagancies
that had become second nature.
Cigars were thrown aside. clothing
was reduced to responsibility, ignoring
tho many changes of fashion, riding
was EXCHANGED for an occasional drive