The Wahpeton times., 1888-08-30
'',''|'I||'|l.' ! {

Every ything isains such perfect
taste," said Mr.. WEXFORD.
It is a singular fact that things are
apt to be Gin perfect taste'' in a bach
elor's residence, 80 far as the eyes of
his unmarried lady friends are con-
cerned; but then Mr.. Elsley's house
was new and elegant, with marble
vestibules, floors of inlaid wood, and
furniture scattered after the most
modern and approved styles.
eyes" said Mr.. Elsley, looking
complacently around his library,
where the dark oak cases full of Turk.
ish leather and Russia bindings con.
trasted exquisitely with the green
orlut carpet, the silken hangings and
the violent and amber tints of the
stained glass 4riel window; 81 think
myself it isn't so bad. All I want
now is pair of illuminated texts
over the doorway"
ooh, let me make them for you,"
said Clara Wrexford, artlessly. 81
am SO fond of Illuminating texts.
should be delighted to have some
little memory ofmy insignificant self
woven in among those pretty things.
May r"
81 couldn't think of troubling
you," said Mr.. Elsley; but at the
same time he noticed how pretty
Clara's eyes We're lifted in the shy ap-
pealing manner.
II am sure Clara would be
charmed" said Mrs. Wexford.
'Ill have them oil ready by the
end of the week." said Clara. "Oh,
shall be SO proud"
And she clapped her little dimpled
hands like a child.
MIR. Elsley sat down and meditated
in the great velvet cushions of the
easy chair after his lady guests were
gone.
He was a bachelor. That was q
foregone conclusion. But then again
that was no reason that lie should al
ways remain q bachelor. 1t was a
lonely, unsatisfactory sort of life.
He knew within himself that he had
become disgusted with it long ago.
He had not married as a young man
because some Intangible, but none
the less impossible, barrier of pride
and offense had risen up between
him and the girl who was his first
sweetheart, Old Mr.. Barringer had
refused to allow Stella to marry q
young man who opposed him direct
" in politics as we'll as in sundry so.
cial matters. Stella had declined to
set herself in opposition to hel
grandfather's will.
"Wait, Ralph, wait," she had said
with tears in her eyes. ''It will al
come right"
"No, it will not all come right,
said Ralph Elsley, with all the impa
thence of O youthful and intolerant
lover. "It comes to this, Stella, yor
have to choose between your grand
father and me-"
ooh, Ralphv"
''It is just as you choose. I do not
urge you one way or the other"
"But grandpa is so old and feeble. .
"ln other words, you prefer him tc
me. | thought youloved me, Stella. .
Stella's only answer was flood o
tears-and Balph Elsley left her in
anger. The next week old Simeon
Barringer sailed for Europe.
That was:. the end of it. Old Bar.
ringer died-as he ought to have done
long ago, Elsley uncharitably re-
fiected. No news came from Stella
OF course she was married to some
wealthy Londoner; and Cupid folded
his wings and laid aside his quiver at
the threshold ofRalph Elsley's heart.
Glove is over, so far us am con-
cerned," said he to himself. And he
really thoughtso.
But that was all in the past. No
reason now that he should not
marry. 1t was the thing to do, he
supposed. And Clara Wrexford was
q nice girl enough: Not like Stella,
to be sure; but where was there one
i'll all the world who could ever take
Stella's place? Clara was true and
gentle and innocent, and Clara loved
him. That should be enough.
Well, the illuminated texts came,
daintily mounted and framed, in the
course of q few days, and critic
though he was Elsley could not but
acknowledge that they were perfect.
One was "Faith, Hope and Charity
the large letters in gold, overhung,
well-twisted festoons of lilies of the
valley, the silver bells and glossy
green leaves exquisitely tinted. The
other, ''For He Is Our Peace" in
crimson and gold medieval letters,
wreathed aroundin myrtle and wild
yiOlets.
"What do you think of those?" he
exultingly asked of my Clymer, the
rector Of st. Aramis's. and his only
intimate friend, when that gentle
man sauntered in, as usual, for his
evening cigar. Mr.. Clymer put up
his eyeglasses-he was rather near
sighted-and took a good look be-
fore he answered.:
every pretty" said he. "Where
did you get them?"
''They were present"
"From a young lady?"
eyes. How did you know" Mr..
Clymer smiled.
81 saw her making them"
EtYOu saw her maEinr them2o