The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1888-08-09
A LADY MANA0LR-

&A~s
Jast on The copanes Of opc Of our lsrs
manufacturing towns. there stands sn I'm
posing residence oi brown stone. elevate
by terraces lbove the road. surrounded b.
stately trees. aud ~iib vide e1.eIs o
garden s,reichiDs 90 oil sides
Ibs5 been employed 10 panel.ps'o,io,
Que of the large bed rooms Tor some week
snd my curiosity aud ia,ervsi bad bsel
excited by the TACT ,hs, the mss,er Of .h
Louse. Mr. Joseph Randall, ~As tall
handsome man of less than dfiy yeArs
While che was certainly iseoi, yesfs old
er, sad very feeble old woman.
Yst never were any young couple NOR
seemingly devoted THAI this oddly con
trAsted pair; and !. living 10 the bous'
xiih oonAtaot occupation there. certAinl!
had good opportunity for Witnessing "a!
matrimonial differences, bad any existed
When my work vas done. ] returned Y
ny o~n home. ASd several months later
By quite 90 sccidspt, not necessary 10 re
cord here. learned We story Of Nj. Ran
dsil's marriage.
From early boyhood he vas "ae'er
do we'll" Money ran through his haser'
like sand, and after his father. his grand
father and after his uncle had started hin
10 business. only to end 10 failure, ths
family decided that be never would he
good for anything.
He Was very handsome man. with .
college education. the instincts and man
ner OF . gentleman, and kindly 10 feeling
but he Was good nstured, truthful aud toe
easily influenced by whoever took The
trouble 10 dictate him.
Al thirty be found himself bankrupt,
out OF business, and without any definite
prospects, and while he was seriously
considering suicide us . way out Of bis
difficulties, he received an invitation TO vis'
It su old friend in Grsntley, a pretty vii
lage near the sea shore.
He found Grsntley At the height oi its
summer season, and his own attraction
very readily acknowledged by the ladies
who danced with him, strolled on the
beach by moonlight with him, and accept
Cd his graceful attentions with smiling
pleasure.
1t was here that he was introduced to
Miss Susan Hsrte and her niece and sup
posed heiress, Miss Msude Maxwell.
TLey we're ladies Of position, refined
and graceful; the younger one lovely in
the freshness Of her youth; the older one
stately and dignided, showing iu every
word . cultivated intellect aud strong
common sense.
Bob White. Mr.. Rsndsll's friend. after
the introduction, spoke bis mind with
frank IL vulgar freedom;
"Go in for the heiress, Joe. They say
the old lady is worth q quarter Of . mil.
lion and Miss Maude is her only relative.
Any one can see that they are devoted to
each other"
And any one could see every evidence
OF wealth 10 their surroundings. Their
own carriage with two magnificent horses.
Was with them for their daily use, their
costumes were Of the most costly materi
Als. and their jewels we're superb. A
lsdy's maid attended them, and their oc-
cupied an entire suit oi rooms at the only
hotsl.
Friendship led TO intimacy. and Mr..
Randall did try to fsscinste the heiress.
whose simpering prettiness covered cold
heart and very commonplace mind.
To dress we'll, to be centre Of attrac'
lion for bowing besux, were the objects
II her ambition, and her conversation new
" rose above the level of the smallest TALK.
Though be had always seemed to lack
business ability, Mr.. Randall was no fool.
md he found himself evening after even
ng turning from Miss Msxwell's vspid
ak to the fresh strong mind that shone
through her aunt's conversation.
Miss Hsrte was sn accomplished mu
Iician, with rich contralto voice, and
ovs Of music had always mounted to .
passion with Mr.. Randall, so there Was
,ond OF sympathy there.
The summer wore away pleasantly, and
was only when closed cottages and .
leserted beach told Of departing guests
hat Joseph Randall asked himself seri
'usly how his summer Irritation was to
nd.
He was not conceited man, yet Msude
dax we'll had let him see very plainly that
he had . preference for bis society and
ttentions. Yet be shrsnk from the pros
'ect OF wife with no idea above dress
nd gsye,y. however richly she might be
lowered.
Loving neither. 10 The true sense OF the
rord. be certaipl, found more pleasure
. the society Of the older lady, and then
little demon Of policy whispered to him.
be-, after sil the money Was Mise Hsrte's.
nd. with social position and attractions,
be might marry. and so deprive Msude
her supposed inheritance.
I, wss true that she was old enough to
. bis mother; but handsome woman
nd one thoroughly tasteful 10 dress.
oald always appear younger than actual
ears warranted, snd-he liked her, yes.
. certainly respected aud liked her.
For .wo or three days he hesitsted.
Drinking yet from placing himself 10 the
osition Of q fortune hunter, and then be
rote = manly. tender letter to Miss Harie
sking her 10 be bis vile
He had sufficient tact to avoid hosery
s.tsry. 70 make sickeniug proseststions.
~ tha lstfsr hava iha stamu n of sinceYity