The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1888-12-06
ALADY MANAGER

Just on the confines OF one of our large
manufacturing towns. there stands an i'm
posing residence Of brown stone, elevated
by terraces above the road, surrounded by
ssately trees, and with wide extent Of
garden stretching on oil sides.
hsd been employed 10 psnel-psint'ns
one Of the large bed rooms for some weeks
and my curiosity and Interest had been e1-
cited by the fact that the master Of the
house; Mr.. Joseph Randall. was tall
handsome man OF less than fifty years,
while she was At least twenty years older
and very feeble old woman.
Yet never we're any young couple more
seemingly devoted that this oddly coutrAs-
ted pisuo; aud I, living in the house with
constant occupation there, certainly had
good opportunity for witnessing mstrimo-
nial differences, had any existed
When my work was done, returned
10 my home. and several months later, BY
quite 90 accident, not necessary to record
here, l learned the story Of Mr.. Randalrs
marriage.
From early boyhood be was "ne're.do-
vell." Money ran through his fingers like
sand, and after his father, his grandfather
and his uncle had started him in business.
only 10 cod In failure, the family decided
that be never would be good for anything.
He was very handsome msn. With .
college education. the instincts and man.
ner Of gentleman. and kindly in feeling;
bu. be was good nstured, truthful and too
easily influenced by whoever took the
trouble TO dictate him.
Al thirty be found himself bankrupt, out
Of business. and without any definite pros
poets; and while he Was seriously consid.
sriug suicide as . way out Of bis difficult
ties, hs received an invitation to visit an
old friend in Grantley, . pretty village
near the seashore.
He found Grsntley st the height Of its
summer season, aud his own attraction
very readily acknowledged by the ladies
Who danced with him. strolled on the
beach by moonlight with him, and sccept'
cd bis sroceful attentions with smiling
pleasure.
Il wss here that he wss introduced to
Miss Susan Hsrte and her niece and sup'
posed hsirsss. Miss Maude Maxwell.
Thsy we're ladies si position, refined and
graceful; the younger one lovely 10 the
freshness OF hsr youth; the older one state
" and disniHed. showing 10 every word
cultivated intellect and strong common
sense.
Bob White. Mr.. Randslls friend. aftel
The iutrod uction, spoke his mind with
frank II vulgar freedom:
Go in for the heiress. Joe. They say
the old lady is worth quarter OF mil
lion and Miss Msude is her only relative
Any one can see that they sre devoted te
each other.
And any one could see every evidence O
wealth 10 their surroundings Their owr
carriage with two magnificent horses wa'
With them for their daily use. their cos
,umss we're OF the most costly msserisls
and their jewels wore superb. A LADY,
maid attended them. and they occupied
On entire suite Of rooms II the only hotel
Frieudship led 70 intimacy. and Mr.
Randall did Try 10 fsscinste the heiress
whose simpesing prettinsss covered cold
heart aud very commonplsce mind.
To dress we'll. 10 be the centre Of attrsc
tion for owing beauK, were the objects o.
her ambition. and her conversation nevel
rose shove the level Of the smallest talk.
Though be he'd always seemed TO lscl
business ability, Mr.. Randall was 10 fool
and be foood himself evening after even
ing turning from Miss MsIwell's yspiC
talk 10 the fn sh strong mind thst show
through her sunt's conversation.
Miss Hsrss vss 90 accomplished musi
cisn, With Q rich contrslto voice. and Low
Of nusic bsd always mounted to pAssio'
si.h NJ. Randall. 90 there vAss . bond
sympsshy there
The summer sore away pleasantly. sp'
IL vsa oely when closed cottages aud = Dc
serted beach told Of departing guests. tbs
yoseph Randall asked himself seriousl.
hos this summer hlr,stion Was 70 cod.
lie vss no, . couceited msn. yet Maud
Maavsll hsd lie, him zee very plainly tbs
she bed preference for bis society an
s,tsu,ions. Yet be shrank IRAN The pros
pecs Of . viie With no idea above dress &C.
ssys,y. however richly she might be dov
cred.
Lovlpg psi:her. 10 The true ssnss of ih
sord. be esstsinly found more pleasure