Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1886-02-25
"A CROWN TO HER HJJS-
BAND.o


large manufacturing towns, there stands
an imposing residence of brown stone
elevated by terraces above the road, sur
rounded by stately trees, and with /
wide extent of garden stretching on al
sides.
had been employed in panel-paint
ing one of the bedrooms for some weeks
and my curiosity and interest had beer
excited by the fact that the master of the
house, MIR. Joseph Randall, was a tall
handsome man of less than fifty wears
while his wife was certainly twenty
years older. and very feeble old wo
man.
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 wit
Messing any matrimonial differences,
had any existed
When my work was done, l returned
to my own home, and several months
later, by quite an accident, not necessary
to record here, ! learned the story of Mr.
Randalls marriage.
From early boyhood he was a meier.
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 q
college education. the instincts and
manners of a gentleman, and kindly in
feeling; but he was good-natured, trust
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 a way out of his
difficulties, he received an invitation to
visit an old friend in Grantley, pretty
village near the seashore.
He found Grantley at the height of its
summer season, and his own attractions
very readily acknowledged by the ladies,
who danced with him, flirted with him.
strolled on the beach by moonlight with
him, and accepted his graceful atten-
tons with smiling pleasure
1t was here that he was introduced to
Miss Susan Harte and her niece and
supposed heiress, Miss Maude Maxwell.
They were ladies of position, refined
and graceful; the younger one lovely in
the freshness of her youth, a pretty
blonde face, and slender figure; the
older one stately and dignified, showing
in every word cultivated intellect and
strong common-sense.
Rob Whita M. Pan1oIli, f,;o.,l a.
the introduction, spoke his mind with
frank if vulgar freedom:
$50 in for the heiress, Joe. They say
the old lady is worth a quarter of mil
lion, and Miss Maud is her only relative.
Anyone can see that they are devoted to
each other"
And anyone could also see every evi.
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
superb. A lady's maid attended them,
and they occupied an entire suite of
rooms at the only hotel.
Friendship led to intimacy, and Mr..
Randall did try to fascinate the heiress,
whose simpering prettiness covered a
cold heart and very commonplace
mind.
To dress well, to be centre of attrac-
ton for bowling beaux, were the objects
of her ambition, and her conversation
never ose 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 aunt's converse
ton.
Miss Harte was an accomplished mu-
stefan, with rich contralto voice, and
love of music had always amounted to a
passion with Mr.. Randall, so there was
strong bond of sympathy there.
The summer wore away pleasantly,
and it was only when closed cottages
and deserted beach told of departing
guests that Joseph Randall asked him.
self seriously how his summer Irritation
was to end.
He was not q 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, however richly
she might be lowered
Loving neither, in the true sense of
the word, he certainly found more
pleasure in the society of the older lady,
and then little demon of policy whis-
pered to him that, after all, the money
was Miss Harte's, and, with her social
position and real attractions, she might
marry, and so deprive Maud of her sup
posed inheritance.
1t was true that she was old enough to
be his mother; but a handsome woman,
and one so thoroughly tasteful in dress,
could always appear younger than actu-
al 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 manly, tender letter to
Miss Harte, asking her to be his wife.
He had sufficient tact to avoid fiowery
flattery, to make sickening protestations.
and the letter bore the stamp of SINGER
ity in every line. An hour later his
messenger brought an answer, and Miss
Harte was his af1ianced wife.
Escorting the ladies to their home, a
magnificent country seat, Mr.. Randall
would not have been human had he not
congratulated himself upon the future
ownership of the wealth so lavishly
represented all around him.
He had said nothing about the future
position of Miss Maxwell, good-natured.
" willing that she should still find a
home with her aunt; but he sometimes
thought he would give her a hint about
assuming so much the air of mistress Of
the house.
The wedding was magnificent, the
honeymoon spent IN travelling upon 8
wedding-glft of check 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 60 tc
housekeeping"
Rooms, cried the bridegroom; ''shal
you not return to your own house?"
MY own house! l have no house
joe" for suddenly the truth flashed up
on her; Ibid you think l had money?
thought everyone knew that wa
Maude's pensioner. Oh" and her fac
grew very pale, what a fool hav'
been! | thought you loved me-
You were no fool in thinking that,
was the quick reply, as her husband pu
his arm around her; II do love you.
did think the position reversed, and tina
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