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

MIR. RANDALL'S MARRIAGE.
just on the confines of ono of our
largo manufacturing towns, .hore stands
an imposing residence Of brown stonc
elevated by terraces above the road, sur
rounded by stately troes. and with q
wide extent Of garden stretching on all
sides.
had beea employed in panel-paint-
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 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-coptrasted pair; and l, living in
tho house with constant occupa ton
there. certainly had good opportunity
Tor witnessing any matrimonial differ
ences. had any existed.
Whom my work was done, l returned
to my own home, and several months
later, by quite an accident, not neces-
snry to record here. learned the story
Of Mr.. Randa!!'s marriage.
bAoAi c"liy uoyhOOu nc was me '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
GAiiurc, the family decided that he
NAould never be good for anything.
Me was very handsome man, with a
oollege education. the instincts and
hlannerS of q gentlemen. and kindly in
gecling; but he was good-n atured, truth
ful. 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 rs Il way out of his
difficulties ho received an invitation to
visit an old friend in Grantley, Il pretty
village car the scashoro.
HBound Grantlcy ut the height of
its ~ amer season, and his own attrac-
ton very readily acknowledged by tho
ladies. who danced with him, strollcd
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 nieco and
supposed hciress. Miss Maudc Max
we'll.
They were ladies Of position. refined
and graceful; the youn ger ono lovely in
the freshness OF her youth. Il pretty
blonde face, and slender figure; the
oldor one stately and diGnitied. show
ing in every word " cultivated intellect
and strong common sense.
Bob White. Nj. Eandulrs friend, aft
@gr the Introduction. spoke his mind with
frank if vulgar freedom:
''io in for the hcircSs, Jor. They say
che old lad: is worth q quarter of q
million, an Miss Mauoe 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 magniti-
cent horses, was with them for their
dRily 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 ut the only hotel.
Friendship led to intimacy, and MIR.
Randall did try to fascnate the heiress.
whose simperng prcttness covered a
ccld heart and very commonplace
mind.
To dress well. to be q centre of at
traction for bowing beauX, were the OBJ
jects of her ambition, and her conversa-
ton never rose above the level of the
smallest of small-taiks
Though ho had always seemed to lack
business ability, Mr. Randall was no
fool, and he found himself evening after
evening turning from Miss Maxwoll's 3
Vapid talk to the fresh strong mind
that shone through her aunt's conversa-
,tion.
Miss Harte was an accomplished mu-
9ician, with rich contralto yoico, and
AoVe OF music had always amounted to
. passion with Mr.. Randall, 80 there
was as, strong bond of sympathy there.
me snmmer wore away pleasantly.
anu IL was only when closed cottages
ana deserted beach told of departing
guests that Joseph Maxwell asked hirte
sen seriously how his summer flirtntion
He was not conceitod man, vet
mau9e Max"en had let him SEQ vory
PLAINLY that she had preference for
his society and attentions. Yot bo
shTenk from the prospect OF wife with
no idea aboTe dress and Raiety. how
ever richly she might be lowered.
II Loving neither in tho true 'senso 10
The word, he certainly found more pleas
uro 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.
IL was true that she was old enough
TO be his mother; but a handsomer wo-
man, and one SO thoroughly tasteful in
DRESS could &lways appear younger than