The Harrison times. (Harrison, Boone Co., Ark) 1876-1938, 1886-06-19
True lIelpnlate.

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there stands all imposing resi-
dence with wide extent of garden
stretching on all sides, the mast
ter of which tall, handsome man
of less than fifty years; while his
wife was certainly twenty years
older. and very feeble old wo-
mar.
Yet never were any young
couple more devoted than this od-
dly-contrasted pair, whose mar
riage, though brought about by
q mistake, was a true union of
hearts.
From early boyhood, Edward
Joyce was me 'er-do-woll," Mon
ey 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 de-
cided that he would never be good
for anything.
He was a very handsome man,
with instincts and manners of n
gentleman, and kindly i'll feeling;
but lie was good natured, trustful,
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 my dignite prospects; and
while he was seriously considering
suicide as way out of his Difficult
ties, he received an invitation to
visit an old friend in Blackpool.
He found the Northern Bring
ton" at the height of its summer
season, and his own attractions
very readily acknowledged by the
ladies', who danced with him, flirt-
ed with him, strolled on the beach
NV moonlight Will Ai--'' "li'' ao
cepted his graceful attentions with
smiling pleasure.
1t was here that he was intro
duced to Miss Susan Hartleg and
her niece and supposed heiress,
Miss Maude Maxwell. They were
ladies' of position, refined, grace
full; the younger one lovely in the
freshness of her youth, pretty
blonde face, and slender figure;
the elder one stately and digni-
fed, showing in every word cul-
tivated intellect and strong common
sense.
Edward Joyce's friend, after
the introduction, spoke his mind
with frank if vulgar freedom.
"Go for the heiress, Ned. They
say the old ladyis worth no end of
tin, and Miss Maude is her only
relative. Anyone can see they
are devoted to each other
Friendship led to intimacy, and
Mr.. Joyce did try and fascinate
the helress whose simpering pref
tiness covered a cold heart, and Il
very commonplace mind.
Though he had always seemed
to have lacked business ability,
Mr.. Joyce was no fool, and he
found himself evening after even
ing turning from Miss. Maxwelps
vapid talk to the fresh strong
mind that shone through her
aunt's conversation.
Miss Hartley was an accom-
p lished musician, with n rich con-
tralto voice, and love of music had
always amounted to passion
with Mr. Joyce, as there was a
strong bond of sympathy there.
Loving neither, in the true sense
of the word, he certainly found
more pleasure in the society of
the older lady, and then n little
demon of policy whispered to him,
that after all, the money with Mrs.
Hartley's, and with her social po-
sition and real attractions, she
might marry, and SO deprive
Maude of her supposed inheri-
lance.
For two or three days he hest
tated, shrinking yet from placing
himself in the position of for
tune-hunter, and then he wrote a
manly, tender letter to Miss Hart
ley asking her to be his wife. An
hour letter his messenger brought
an answer, and Miss Hartley was