Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1886-04-02


in some respects an ''odd fellow" To-
night, however, st. Cloud felt particu-
larly good-humored, and therefore con-
versationally inclined.
"Well, to tell the truth, I'm engaged, "
he explained 'Tt's getting time for me
to settle down, and l couldn't do so
under more favorable circumstances
Rose Annesley is the dearest little girl
in the world, and owns quite hand
some property beside"
'Do you mean the older or younger
Miss Annesley" queried Max, rather
drily.
And st. Cloud rejoined, in surprise:
Il allude to the younger. Are they
not both the daughters of the late John
Annesley2n
They are, replied his friend "But
MIR. Annesley was twice married, and
his elder daughter inherits her fortune
from her mothers family. Mr.. Annes-
ley himself lived up to his entire income,
and his younger daughter Inherited
rothing. She is, and always has been, en-
tirely dependent ON her sister, though l
doubt if she has ever felt this dependence,
as Miss Annesley shares every comfort
and luxury with her. know whereof |
speak" he added, with sidelong look
at st. Clouds crestfallen countenance !;
''for our senior partner is Miss Olive An
nesley's guardian, and transacts all her
business affairs"
'The deucem muttered st. Cloud,
under his breath; ''here's nice piece of
work. l thought Rose owned fully as
much as her sister. I'm not able to
marry girl without money! really am
not II l could only put up few thou
sand dollars, could command a junior
partnership in our house."
He checked himself; he had spoken
more freely than he intended.
GLOW about this Miss Olive Annes-
ley?' he asked, with a forced smile.
Anything of an old maid3 Likely to
die soon, and leave her property to Rose,
ehm
II should say not" answered Max,
composedly, 81 have only seen Miss An
nesley at distance, but should judge
her to be fine looking woman of about
twenty-seven or eight"
"Quite young enough to marry" mur-
INJURED st. Cloud, gloomily.
Then rousing himself, with an effort,
he changed the subject.
But when he called on the Annesleys
the next morning, he invited Max most
cordially to accompany him, adding,
jocularly:
"You can take a chance at the heiress,
old fellow; but mind, if-you win her, l
shall call for division of the spoils."
And Max was not 10th to accept the IN
vitation. He felt some curiosity to see
St Clouds sweetheart, and remembering
their conversation of the night before,
some pity for her also.
she cannot love her as she ought to be
loved" was his mental comments con-
viction which strengthened after his
meeting with Rose.
She greeted him SO cordially as 'Ber-
ties friend" that when he looked into her
innocent eyes, he felt something like a
pang of self-reproach.
He was presented to Olive at the same
time, but she seated herself near St.
Cloud, and seemed really determined to
cultivate her future brother-in-law
St. Cloud responded warmly to her
efforts, and war of wits ensued between
them, in which, man of the world as he
was, he could not but feel, at times, a
little puzzled by Olive Annesley.
The arts and batteries which he had
practiced so successfully on other girls
seemed to fall harmleSsly on Olives
arm0r.
In the days that followed he found
himself devoting much more time to this
pale, gray-eyed girl than to his own
pretty Rose.
He said to himself that she was the
moneyed member of the family, and that
it would certainly be to his interest to
gain some influence over her.
At first he really had no other object.
lie saw that Olive was peculiar that she
differed from the ordinary society girls
whom he knew so well, and he took
pains to become acquainted with her pet
theories, her favorite authors--every-
thing calculated to interest her
They had frequent discussions, in
which st. Cloud would, at first, oppose
her ideas, and then, with subtle tact,
seem to defer to them.
Rose was, necessarily, thrown a great
deal into Max Hart's society; but she
showed no sense Of neglect, and only re-
joiced that Berthe and her quiet sister
should have taken such fancy to each
other.
Max Hart alone OWNED in it all a deep
er meaning than appeared on the surface.
He saw that Olive was beginning to look
for St. Clouds comingas eagerly as Rose,
that her color deepened whenever he ap-
preached, and that she showed at times
an agitation strangely at variance with
her usual calm demeanor.
He was filled with righteous indigna-
ton. 1t was bad enough that girl like
Rose should be willing to throw herself
away on selfish scamp like st. Cloud,
but that she should be deceived be-
trayed, and, above all, by her own sister,
was too much. He lost all self-control
VIII h2never he thought of it,
Fortunately for his patience, the bust
ness which detained him was now con-
cluded, and he found himself free to re-
turn.
But the evening before Ills departure,
he overheard some words which seemed
to him proof positive of what he feared.
Rose had stepped into the conservatory
to gather for him some of her favorite
flowers as parting gift. and Max stood
alone at large bay window which over
looked the balcony. st. Cloud and
Olive, who had been promenading the
balcony, apparently in deep conversation,
paused near the window, which was
partially open.
II have much, very much, to tell you,
Olive" he heard st. Cloud say, eagerly,
"but dare not. Never was man placed
in more unfortunate position than my
self"