The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1888-11-17
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and, with troubled faintness upon her
Rene went TO meet the naughty lady, who
measured her with critical eye ere she
spoke.
How uncompromsngly cold and digni-
fed she looked, how grim was the express
sion that rested upon the arstocralic fea-
lures. how chilling the even tones.
Miss Arnold, haye come to see you
about a strange matter; my mission is not
an agreeable one, but duty is often dislastr-
full"
Rene bowed her golden head and claspcd
her hands ncryously
81 know that my son Lee has become
infatuated with you, and will not listen To
reason; therefore must make my appeal
TO you. feared lest in a moment of mad
ness he would actually ask you to MARI,
him, and of course could guess your
answer"
Her tone was even more stinging than
her words, and poor Rene grew dcathll
pale, then she looked steadily Iier,
Madam, have given my promise 10
your son. | do not think there was mad
ness on his part, or presumption on mine,
Ne love each other My motives arc not
those you would impute to me-"
You have promised" exclaimed Mrs
Ventor Then that promise must be re-
called. No son of mine can wed poor
dependent, daughter of the people, girl
who has naught but a fair face TO recon-
mend her. What is mere beauty beside the
rank and prestige of the Ventors? Not
presumptuols?- why, Miss Arnold, it was
the height of presumption on your part to
think You would ever be received into our
family. l did not intend TO speak thus
plainly, Dut your audacIty has so provoked
me-"
You misunderstood me- began poor
Rene, but the lady waved her hand majesti-
cally.
1T shall not be-T.ee will thank me for
this interference when he has awakened
from this mad dream. Miss Arnold, since
you will not respect mother 'feesings,
listen to my words now; if you refuse to
bre TX the bonds that lie was foolish enough
to forge, then shall disown him."
"Disown your sonr' gasped Rene.
eyes, he has no legal claim. will tell
you now, he is the son of my second hus.
band; my wealth came to me from my first
for the Ventors, though of high birth, have
not been wealthy in these latter days: so if
you refuse 10 recognize my claim and ap-
peal, will make him beggar"
Rene knew she was woman of her
tword-knew there was no hope of mercy in
her. If she married Lee Ventor he would
be beggared-for her sake,
"Oh. you are cruelr' she faltered.
81 am proud" replied Mrs. Ventor.
"Will you choose?"
A long silence, and then Rene raised
haggard face.
''I-release himr she broke forth.
"And you will go away without seeing
him again?p
"Yes-yes.'' p
1T is well, said Mrs. Ventor; and draw
ing her costly mantle about her, she went
away without a thought of the misery that
filed the young girls heart.
81 have saved my son." she thought.
Rene kept her word; she left The place
that night, and Lee could find no clew to
her whereabouts. he did not guess his
mothers agency; he thought some strange
caprice had sent the girl from him, and
yet, recalling her lovely, loye-lt face, he
knew that she loved him, and could not be-
lieve she was unfaithful; yet he could find
no trace of her, and no word came, so hope
died within him.
Down narrow street leading from
crowded thoroughfare man slowly moved !:
it was early evening and the street lamps
sent forth faint glow,
Near the corner the solitary pedestrian
saw a female figure leaning upon the iron
railing of his own mansion, and something
in her attitude drew him to her side.
"My good woman are you ill?" he in
quired, and then started back at the sight
Of the white, anguished face upon which
the light shone full.
"Who are you?" he gasped, "You have
the face Of Inez, my dead wife,
81 am Rene Arnold"
"Arnold-that is my name, her name"
said the man tremulonsly. "But you are
suffering--let me assist you to my home"
Once within the mansion and recovered
from her weakness, which was the result Of
fatigue and hunger, for Rene had long
sought employment unsuccessfully, the girl
told her story to her new friend.
Listen to mine" said the man huskily,
81 am Rupurt Arnold, and twenty years
ago | married fair young girl, Inez Gas
pard. | was insanely jealous and she grew
to fear me; at last my harshness drove her
from me. | sought her in penitence, but
alas, found that she had died IN distant
land and her babe had been cared for by
strangers. Ny wife dead, my child miss
ing, wandered forth a heartbroken man.
You are that child, know IL You have
my name, your mothers iace, Your claims
and mine shall be established"
They were established without flaw.
and Rene Arnold, the "poor dependent" 4"
became a belle and heiress. Her joy was
complete when Lee Ventor came to her In
answer TO her summons, and claimed her
for his promised bride.
Mrs. Venior was kept in ignorance of the
affair Till after all arrangements were made
for the wedding; then her heart was made
glad by the announcement that Lee was to
wed an heircss who bore name as dis
tinguished as her own.
Imagine her feellnls when she stood face
with the girl she had so outrageously
scorned and insulted for the first time heI
proud spirit shrank; but Rene was too hap
py to hold malice, and advancing to the
elder woman's side, she held cut her hand
with sweet smile.
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