The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1886-03-19
BETTER THAN WEALTH.

| Nllth, tIlIh. Ntll tItt SCN
and the work iiuttcred through; long
strips of dainty ruilling which came
from under the magic needle, hcmmed
and gathered. and ready for use.
The curly head bending over the busy
machine dropped Il trifle, and the large,
dark eyes We're pathetic with fatigue
for MAY Warner had been hard ut work
all day, and was nearly exhausted.
"Oh dcar!" she sighed. in patient
weary tone. IF only could ever be
done. am so tired, But never mindr'
and more hopeful expression stole into
the weary eyes. 81 am very glad to be
able to work.
The outer door was thrown open and
then closed with bang: there followed
the sound of footsteps. and 4 young girl
rushed into the room. She tossed q pile
of books upon the table, her hat and
gloves followed suit: and she paused
with sparkling eyes and rose-ilushed
checks a pretty picture was Nell War
ner.
Still at work, May?" she queried. IL
know you're awfully tired, and so am |.
School teaching is just tOo--too--''
she hesitated. Carleton Place is open,
| sec" she added abruptly.
Mays face flushed. and the little
hand which directed the sewing ma
chine trcmbled visibly.
Il was told 81" she remarked.
MAY" said Nell impetuously. when
i think how shamefully Lewis Carleton
has treated YOU. feel like doing some
desperate deed How dare he? Just
because we are poor and no one but old
Aunt Charlotte 10 protect us, he dares
TO treat YOU in tina; hcartlcss manner.
To 90 Ia Europe and remain two years
without word to you: then return to
Carleton Place when he knows that our
little home. I'LL we possess in the wide
world. adioins hi, splendid and magni-
iiccnt home. the family residence of the
aristocratic Cartoons. May, | detest
them all especially his pursc-proud sis
ter. Clara. We must try and rent our
house. and find new quarters our
| selves
you are right, Nell" returned May
quietly; Il could not bear to. perhaps
see him after all that has occurred. AnC
/ am told, she paused Il moment then
went on firmly: Aunt Charlotte tell,
me to-day-she has heard it somewhere
that Mr.. Carleton will bring wifi,
home with him
.'The wretch calculated Nell, pas
sionaicly; land years ago you were his
promised wife. Oh. May, if only We
had been rich, Lewis Carleton would
not have dared TO triilc with you i'm thi,
shameful fashion. ] would give any
thing to be rich, even for little time
Money is the lever that moves til,
world"
MAY smiled sadly.
"Oh, no. dear" she returned gravcly
Money is q good thing TO possess. bu
not the best thing i'm the world bv an,
means. would not barter a peaceful
conscience for all the wealth of thu
| Carletonsr'
Conscience" retOrted Nell, spite
fully; .'you do not imagine that Levi!
Carleton has any conscience do YOU?
despise him beyond expression"
The sewing machine stood near III
open window. just outside was tai
hedge OF Cherokee roses. which divided
the small domain of the Warmers from
the elegant estate adjoining. known n
Carleton Place.
As Nell uttered these words, Il tai
| figure on the other side of the helg,
arose from low seat, Il handsome
| dark-eycd man. He tossed away tn,
cigar which he had just lighted, and n.
the two sisters glanced up simultaneous
", he removed his hat and bowed cOur
teously. Mays face was as marble.
| Thanks, very much. for your compli
ment. Miss Nell observed Lewis Carrie
ton. i'm slow, languid tone, and thel
turning he walked away.
May faced her sister with rcproachfu
eyes.
Nell" she calculated. "what hav,
you done?'
"No MATTER" returned Nell. deiiantly
81 am glad he knows my opinion o
him. at least. May, forgive me,
wouldn't pain you, but can see how
you have altered, how pale and THU
You have been growing all these months
and you are all have i'm the world, m,
only sister. May, if | were you, would
cast every thought of that man from
my heart. | would despise him-fOrge
him"
II cannot do that, Nell returned he
sister, firmly; .'he is too dear to me
And, although he has ceased to care 70
me, and has given me up, as his sstc
Clara assured me, yet II can neve
change So, Nell, dear, we had bette
not speak of him at all in future. sine,
you and ! disagree on the subject"
May arose quietly us she liuishe'
speaking, closed the window, put ava.
her work, and began to set the table TO
tea.
The man on the other side of TIN
hedge had paused within hearing dis
lance, and although the sister hat
spoken in very low tones, every wor'
had been distinctly audible TO his ears
His face had grown very pale, and ther
was an amazed look i'm his eyes.
81 wonder" he calculated, ''if Clar
told me the real truth. She declares
that May Warner was going to MARI.
old Hudson for his money. She sal.
that May was very ambitious, and Hud
sons fortune was greater than ours, al
though since that time the cases hav