The Columbus journal., 1888-03-21

"All alone, Jennie! Why you have dropped
your chain, here it is on the floor"
"Oh, hank you" but she shuddered in spite
Of herself as he seated himself near her and
warmed her hands fondly between his own
soft. white palms.
my little girl" he began.
Yes, she was his, his and no others, his
every day and hour of her life, for hadn't
he bought her, and what better title was there
than that by purchase: She raised her eyes
and made them rest Oh his fine, smooth
shaven face. She had never noticed before
Q certain cold and cruel light In his eyes, as
il be could enjoy keenly the torture OF q
living soul, or that beside the sensual lines
of his finely chiseled mouth there was a
suggestion of an exquisite brutality ON the
thin lips. She trembled before him.
Il have q favor to ask Of you" He looked
admiringly at her as he spoke. Mr.. Filings
worth never tired Of the rich, oriental type
Of his wife's beauty. II Bertha's mother bad
been like her there need never have been any
unpleasant stories in the community on her
score. And Jane was ~lovelier than ever to-
day, with this peculiar brilliancy in her eyes
and the bright red spot on either dark cheek.
She didn't NOW how to furnish her parlor
very well, but he had never yet been sorry
he married her. She seemed to understand
50 well how to manage him, never too fond,
always q little on her guard, like a judicious
artist, who will not let even the most ardent
admirer come too near his canvas.
at is about Bertha" he continued, not
seeming to notice her start. "She has left
that fellow. | haven't troubled you before,
but she has been alone up in Vineboro for q
good many months. I think best she should
oo.uo hoo,o no~ Il Mill Ia IN hoffor faSfon-
Mr.. Ellingsworth rose to his feet at . rum
bling noise and stepped to the window. When
he came hack the color had faded from James
cheeks and her small mouth closed very tight.
Her hands were trembling violently, but she
had hid them in the folds of her dress, SO her
husband could not see her intense excitement.
Her heart was beating loudly; her old mad
ness seemed coming upon her again, but this
mans cold, smiling face subdued her.
when is she coamingg'
81 didn't know but that was the carriage;
well, l suppose she may be here" he glanced
at his gold faced watch, perhaps in an hou
or two"
The girls lips quivered; she almost broke
into a passion Of angry words; the hate that
| ssetheG in her heart for that woman was al
most bubbling forth its bitterness. But the
| cool assurance on her husbands face, as his
keen, pitiless eyes seemed to search out all
the secrets of her soul, cowed the woman.
She rose and moved, as one in Q dream, to-
ward the door.
81 mus get things ready then" And 80
this was what her gentle voiced husband
called asking a favor of her. She did not
love him, but she feared him, now, as she re-
membered her secret. She would obey his
nod as if she were his dog, she would study
the signs ON his placid face. He had never
anything but smiles and kind speeches for
her, but she would have sunk into the very
| earth at his feet rather than that he should
open his mysterious armory Of instruments
of deadly torture for the soul.
"Well well, l thought she would make
more fuss
The afternoon sun was we'll down on his
last stretch when Philip Breton came back
from his factory. and up the street toward
Mr.. Ellingsworth's house. There was some
one with him, a man so tall and slight that
the weight of his head, which was quite
large, seemed to bow him. It was an old
gentleman, to judge from the wrinkles ON
his face, but he had hardly enough hair to
show whether it was gray or only fla1en-
"You have done ~splendidly, my boy" 1t
was an old acquaintance of Philips, whom
he had used to talk philosophy with at col
lege, one of those benevolent minded gen.
tlelnen who are SO optimistic that they have
to 60 to boys for sympathy. 'Splendidly,"
he repeated, 'only why stop just where you
are! If every mill owner would do in his
mill what you have done, it would bea grand
thing for this world. But they won't. Now
you nave started beautifully, but there is
too much business to your plan"
Philip smiled argumentatively. It was
like his boyhood returned to hear the old
mans mellow tones.
'But, Mr.. Philbrick, an honest business
man can do more good than q dozen imprac-
ticable philanthropists like you"
But think of the things that business
principles never can regard. Your help
work ten weary hours a day, all ther poor
lives: business demands that, doesn't It'll
Well, 1 say that is where benevolence must
come in. 1t is terrible to be shut up as they
are; it kills body, mind and soul. Business
principles never can save them" said the old
gentleman, turning his kindly eyes on the
young mill owner; philanthropy, I don't
care what you call it, some gentle spirit Of
love ought to lift the burden that brushes the
life and hope out Of them, contrary to bust
ness principles, higher than business prin-
ciples"
As Mr.. Philbrick finished, Q close carriage
rolled by them and stopped a little beyond,
where's gentleman and lady stood to welcome
the visitor.
"Your reforms" answered Philip, after q
moments thought, should be founded on
business principles. Then the force of the
business instinct will carry them out 9th
erwise'- he lifted bis hat to Mrs. Filings
worth, but she did not seem to notice him;
her eyes were fixed on her husband, who Was
in the act Of handing q lady out Of the car
rage. The lady wore q travelling suit of q
blue shade. Her face was hid as she stepped
down, showing . white fcather in the back
Of her hat, and q few strands Of golden hair
below. Then she raised her face as the car
riage rolled away, and q wild. sweet thrill OF
pain shot through Philips heart, while every
nerve in his body tingled like finely tuned
stringed Instruments, trembling in sympathy
with a ~resounding chord. His feet refused
to take him away, while his hungry eyes de-
voured Bertha's beauty, for it was no other
than she come back-his lost darling found
again. His heart warmed, as lie looked, into
q divine glow; how cold it had been, and 50
long. A great burden Of WEAKNESS seemed
lifted from him. 1t was as Il, after a dreary
old age, the sweet peace Of childhood was
born in him again.
For the moment he forgot everything that
had come between them, as in the bright,
perfumed morning a child forgets the dreary
night just past. But the long night had
changed her; the exquisite roundness Of her
face and form had gone; even her grand blue
eyes seemed faded like her cheeks, once SO
rich in their sunset glow. And he only
yearned over her the more tenderly-the new
element of pity seemed only wanting before
% glorify his love into a religion. He longed
torush to her, putting away her father, who
bad o caresses for her, and his wife, who
was dartinS flashes Of hate at the unwelcome
guest He would cnfold her In biz anna.
She would be glad for them at last; such
love as his made the closest kin in the world.
He took q step toward her, but NO one aw
him.
~ A~i