The Evening post. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1888-1889, 1888-12-03
TRUE NOBILITY.

IF there was mad man In the country
that day 1t was old Squire Splore He
had counted on forcing Lucy bennett to
marry him, because he held mortgage
on the only bit of property her mother
had saved out of the wreck of her hus-
bands fortune, but in the face of 1t all he
had been promptly refused as a son-in-
law.
Mrs. bennett had herself married for
money, though she nearly broke two
hearts in doing sober own and Rupert
Lesley she accepted the richer
wooer, Paul bennett. Her experience
had warned her that mercenary mar
rage meant misery and she resolved
That her daughter should not be sacr-
feed.
Mr.. Splore fulfilled all his threats af-
ter being refused, and the house where
the Dement'S liyed was advertised for
sale. Mother and daughter were in
despair, for none OF their friends seemed
disposed to offer them even q temporary
shelter until they could find home.
At the last moment Gerald Lesley, a
nephew of the true-hearted lover Mrs.
bennett had refused for the weather.
rival, came forward and offered them q
home under his mothers humble roof.
Gerald had long loved Lucy bennett,
and she had fully requited his passion,
but her mother, in their days of pros
perity, had looked but coldly on his suit,
and he had forborne to press it till such
time as he should have won position to
justify his doing so.
Mrs. bennett saw in this generous
offer something which recalled the noble
minded lover, whose affection she had
sighted and whom her cruelty had
driven away, mayhap to die. and her
heart smote her sore
Gerald, she knew on his moderate
salary, could barely support in comfort
his mother and himself, and she could
not bring herself to think Of adding to
the burden, especially when her con-
science kept reminding her how little
claim she had to bounty at the hands of
him or his.
She and Lucy were still undecided
what to do, even down to the day when
the sale took place at the Courthouse
door, and their home was bid off by an
elderly gentleman--a stranger whom
nobody knew--who was coming on the
morrow to look at his purchase.
81 tell you, you must come and stay
with u.s." said Gerald Lesley, who had
called that evening to make one more
earnest appeal to Mrs. bennett and Lucy
to share his mothers home-"you must
and shall come, at least for the present. :"
eve have delayed looking for place
too long" said Mrs. bennett. 1--WE must
begin tomorrow; and, besides, l could
not bear to be here when the new owner
comes" ....
"Im sure / should hate the sight of
him !" cried Lucy, with eyes flashing
through her tears.
"Don't you see you must come to us ="
persisted Gerald there's nothing else
10 do"
A loud ring interrupted the discussion.
Lucy went to the door where a pleasant
faced gentleman with iron-gray hair in
quired if Mrs. bennett was within, and
on being told she was, without waiting
for more, guided by the light, he made
his way through the hall to the little
sitting room where Lucy had left Ger
aid and her mother.
Mrs. bennett, presumed" the
stranger asked.
The lady inclined her head.
II bought this house to-day" he con-
tinued, and"-
ut appears to me, Gerald interrupted
with little heat, "you are somewhat
precipitate in honoring these ladies with
visit. You were not expected till to-
morrow.
"And who might you be, pray, if
may ask without offence?" inquired the
gentleman, turning an amused look on
Gerald.
my name, II It concerns you to
know" replied the latter, stiffly, 'is Ger.
aid Lesley"
The stranger cast sharp glance al
the speaker, which the young man re-
turned in no friendly way, adding:
"And now, having answered your
question, pray who may you be-"
"An uncle of yours, i rather think, u
returned the other.
Mrs. bennett, whose eyes had been
closely scanning the strangers features
for the last minute, turned deathly pale
Rupert Mr.. Lesley" she faltered.
eyes, Martha, the Rupert Lesley whom
you knew once, little older than HI
then was, but not quite 80 old as h,
looks"
And turning TO Gerald and Lucy, VIII,
were looking on astonished. he added:
'Will these youngsters give us a mo
ment by ourselvesY"
Ihoy look the mint ana Withdrew.
was several moments before they wer
summoned back, and when they cam
they saw that Mrs. bennett and her visi
tor were both looking very happy, though
the traces of recent tears were on thei
cheeks.
Rupert Lesley. in due course, tool
possession Of his purchase, but not till h
had given his old sweetheart, who wa
still sufficiently youthful to retain
goodly portion of her girlhood' 5 charms
the best of titles to be its mistress.
And the best Of all was that Uncl
Rupert had come home rich enough I
set Gerald up in business, and give hin
and Lucy the dashingest little Iweddin
ever seen in the place.
Nearly 5000 Female Doctors.
II 10 estimated that there are 1850 wome
in the United States who hold diplomas froI
-laI A