Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1886-04-14
iahorar at Tho ninAa "


eluded spot, then drawing little pack
age from his pocket, gaze long ard
earnestly ct the pictured face it con-
tanned.
Frugal, abstcmious. and self-denying
as n hermit, his life appeared to lave in
1t little TO envy. But he had goal be-
fore his mental vision Of which tlc-
knew nothing-a goal to the attainmei.S
of which every dollar Of his hard-earne,:
wages, every energy OF his life, ws.1
Although apparently lost to the wcr....
without, Ralph was not forgotten.
Ono day letter came for him; c,
thick cumbrous-looking envelope, d.
ected in large sprawling hand.
In the solitude of his little cell-like
room, he opened it, and his pale chez.
flushed with look that was ecstasy.
Then passed ten years more.
The brilliantly lighted parlors of Mrs.
Remingtcn's handsome mansion were
filling fast with guests, when the hostess
came forward to welcome new conner
"a lovely girl Of twenty years, who was
entering, accompanied by gentleman,
evidently her father.
Good evening, my dear Maude !" she
exclaimed, with rapturous little
squeeze of her hand. Il have delight
full news for you and all the other
manageable young Sadies who will 10
here tonight p with a gay laugh.
II am to have among my guests to-
night no less a person than Mr. Went
worth, that elegant young mani call
him young, for he is only thirty-tive-
who has been winning so many laurels.
Hes a splcndid-looking man, they
say and immensely rich-owns mining
property. He is home for short visit,
and Two secured him for tonight. ]
will be sure to secure you an introduce
ton to him."
DO" replied Maude, smiling. Then
she passed on to another part of the
room.
Half an hour later there was a slight
hustle at the door, and a ripple of ex-
pectancy among the guests.
Maude, who happened to be standing
where she had a view of the entrance.
perceived tall elegant gentleman bend
ing over the hand of Mrs. Remington.
AT the next moment he raised his
head to glance over the company, and
their eyes met.
Was it fancy, or did a fleeing emotion
cross his face-a look of surprise, almost
gladness, light up his fine eyes?
Maude was sure she had never met
him before, and yet, as she returned his
gaze for a moment a feeling as of a
half-forgotten memory came over her.
Twenty minutes later. as Maude stood
convcrsing with her partner, Mrs. REM
lngton's voice greeted her ear: 5...
"Maude, my love, Mr.. Wentworth
wishes to be introduced to you;" and
looking up, she encountered again the
earnest gaze of the handsome stranger.
A request for the next dance followed
the introduction; then promenade; and
then, almost before she was aware, Mr..
Wentworth had secured all the olsen
gagged dances on her card.
His conversation, animated, varied,
fluent, had at the same time certain
undercurrent of deep, even intense feel
ing, that lent a strange charm to his
most commonplace words, and sent ID
thrill to the very heart Of the fair girl.
1t seemed as if there existed kindred
chord between them--a chord long
silent. yet living still, and which thrilled
with every vibration of his voice, making
her feel, ere that short evening was
past, as If he had been a friend of years
"a loved and valued friend-rather than
stranger whom she was meeting for
the first time.
Mr.. Wentworth learned, in the course
oftheir conversation, that Miss Granger
was spending the winter in the city,
being on n visit to some relatives; and
he further asked and obtained permission
to call upon her.
He did call, many times and at length,
one evening, he said in the course of q
long and earnest conversation:
Miss Granger ever since our ac-
quaintance began, l have been wanting
to tell youa story. Let me tell it now"
Drawing his chair closer to where she
sat, Ralph Wentworth began a tale with
most OF which the reader is familiar.
Then, continuing, he said.
One day there came to that young
man letter containing the notice of a
bequest of four thousand pounds from q
distant relative, lately deceased.
The money, with what he had saved
in those five yearssscompleted the pur-
chase OF claim that was the beginning
of his fortune. Step by step he mounted
the ladder of life once more, until he
gained commanding wealth, influence,
friends, and, better than all, clear and
honorable record.
"Then he came back to his native city,
to find her who had been his good
angel all those years.
Perhaps she had forgotten the man to
whom her sweet childish sympathy had
been talisman and a blessing, for he
had not even told her his name; but
something whispered to him that he
would find her again-and find her
heart-free.
Maude," he continued, taking the
hand that trembled in his clasp
through all those years that innocent
kiss of a warm affectionate heart has
lain pure upon my lips, the solace OF
my lonely life. Temptations l had
many, but that little face was present
with me always. could not look into
those pure eyes and sin!
:. On the day when her little hand
pointed out the way to better life, she
promised that II came back again, and
could say to her that I had tried to dc
my duty, to be a good and useful man,
she would kiss me again. I have kept
my faith; have earnestly striven to re-
trieve youthful folly that had not YET
become vice.
And now will the woman redeem
the promise of the child? Will she
raise her lips to mine in another kiss
a kiss that shall tell me she will be
my lifes angel-my cherished and hon.
ored wife,"
For moment Maude's voice failed
her. Back over the years memory
swept, bringing up every detail of that
memorable interview, and she now
knew the secret of the subtle sympathy