Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1886-07-18


it does not to do to believe all the evil that
is spoken Of ones fellows, and for my part
l inclinedto the more charitable theory
which alleged that Mauleyerer's wealth.
had been accumulated by the simplest ana
most natural of all proeesses-the enormous
increase which had taken place in the value
of land in the colony in which he had been
born. Starting life in the days when Aus
tralia was still in its infancy, as the owner
of vast tracts of country, then comparatively
yalueless, he had seen his great sheep-walks,
and the barren stretches of sandy SOIL
which he owned in the nsighborhood OF the
little ports that had since developed INTO
flourishing cities, turned literally into gold
without any effort on his own part.
Give millions, if it is penny!" THIS
was what young barrister named Hard
ing, whose acquaintance had made IN the
hotel smoking room was never tired oil say
ing. give millions, and not an encum-
brance of any kind, or chick or child TO
whom TO leave it"
my dear fellow" / responded feebly,
for felt but little interested in this all
absorbing topic, what does it matter TO
YOU or to ME how much the man is worth!
We shall never reap any benefit from his
gold"
''Ah, you are young" said my lively
companion, who was really no older than
myself. "You dom understand the world
vet, FentOn. Haven't you seen how all the
dowagers in the hotel are laying their plans
to capture the unfortunate wretch as soon
as he makes his appearance among them?
When you have lived little longer you
will begin to realize the power of gold. L
tell you, sir, that there isn't q woman IN
this place at this moment who wouldn't
sell her daughter in marriage TO this man
Mauleverer, though he was as old as
Methusaleh and rs wicked as Satan. And
there isn't girl in this place, either, who
wouldn't cheerfully say yes to the bargain
if it were proposed to her. Five millions!
Why, the man that owns it can do any
thing"
"Why do you talk such nonsense" l
said. anGrilv. ''YOu cannot mean what
YOU say. You wish to make all women
out to be as bad as q few men are.
was hot with indignation. Why l
hardly knew myself had no near female
relations of my own-none for whom cared
But somehow or other, when Harding
talked in this style, sneering at all woman
kind as though all alike were bad, the face
of the girl had met in the train rose before
nv ewes, and felt constrained to do battle
with him, if it were only on her account.
He laughed lazily.
''You excite yourself, my good fellow,
unnecessarily" he said. "Of course | am
not even limiting at the possibility of there
being any mercenary persons among the
ladies of your acquaintance. No doubt
there are exceptions to every rule; but for
my part have not yet seen the woman
whom five millions would not fetch. Wait
and see for yourself, when the great man
deigns to put in an appearance at the morn
ing parade. :, =,
II thought he had already done so" |
replied, feeling certain amount of COM
junction at the anger had shown. HE
has been in Scarborough for some time, has
he nOt?"
''He is in his hotel at the present mo-
ment; but he is laid up with some illness
govt, I suppose, as it is the rich mans
special ailment-=and has not been out of
doors since his arrival, two weeks ago"
This was only one of the innumerable Oc-
casions on which Mauieverer and his mil
lions were dinnd into my ears, until grew
to hate the very sound of the mans name.
| 1t seemed to me that this vulgar image of
brazen wealth, about which everybody
talked so constantly, was a rival even in
my heart to that other image of youth and
beauty upon which my fancy was fixed. !
tried to shake off Harding's unpleasant
suggestion with regard to the readiness OF
all women TO yield themselves to the seduc-
tions of the mans gold; but could not do
so altogether and in the state of mind to
which my passion had brought me, | posi-
lively began TO wish that this Mauleverer
would take his departure from Scarborough
before had again met with the lady OF
the train. What, l thought to myself, il
she were to be brought within the reach OF
the magical influence of the millions?
That she was still in the town never
for moment doubted. Why should have
chung so stoutly to this conviction | cannot
pretend to say. But so II was, An instinct,
some secret preSentment, assured me that
she was still near me, though unseen, and
that l should meet her again.
One lovely morning, when the golden
gunshfne was flooding the bay, and the ge-
NAL summer warmth tempered by the
pleasant sea breeze, was tempting every
BODY out of doors, went for my usual
walk in the Spa grounds. Perhaps it was
the weather that had stirred the young
blood in my veins, and made me feel more
confident than had done before Of success;
but whatever may have heen the cause, it
is certain that rs walked across the bridge
by which the grounds are entered my step
was more elastic and my head lighter than
on any previous visit to the place,
How well you look this morning.
cried Harding, whom ! found seated on a
bench not far from the entrance to the
grounds. Scarborough suits You, | see
Come and sit beside me for a little. We
can see all the world rs is passes"
Thanks; I'll join you presently" l said
IL would like first, however, to stroll to
the end of the promenade"
Something within me urged me onward
"Ahr' he replied with a light laugh of
genial mockery. you are like everybody
else, | see. But how long is it since you
vowed to me that the mans gold would
never-po, never-attract yOu?"
looked at him in blank surprise and
said nothing.
what! have you not heard?" he con-
tinued, after reading the truth in my puz-
zled face. why, l thought the news had
spread by this time to the uttermoSt hooks
and corners of Scarborough. Why, he is
there-down below by the band-Maul-
everer, the millionaire. That is why we
have this end of the gardens to ourselves this
morning, 1t is just as l told you it would
be, all the old dowagers are fighting for
places near him, but unfortunately for their
chances the young ladies have been before
hand and have made regular ring round
the man. 1t is quite pretty spectacle,
assure YOU, all the beauty and talent of the
queen of English watering places'-that's
what they call ii, is it nOt?-COnceltrated
in one particular spot and all for the benefit
of one poor mortal in the ordinary dress of
Nineteeth century tourist"
'Confound the felloww l said. 81 care
nothing for either him or his money. /
shall stop with YOU" And seated myself