Huntsville gazette., 1888-07-28
ILLUMINATED TEXTS.
A Poor Investment for One, But
Profitable to Another.

"Every thing is in such perfect TASTE
said Mrs. Wrexford.
1t is singular fact that things are
apt to be sin perfect TASTE in a bach
elor's residence, so far as the eyes of
his unmarried lady friends are con-
cerned; but then Mr. Elsley's house
was new and elegant, with marble YES
tibules, floors of inlaid wood, and fur
niture patterned after the most modern
and approved styles.
"Yes," said Mr.. Elsley, looking
complacently around his library, where
the dark oak cases full of Turkish
leather and Russia bindings contrasted
exquisitely with the green orlut carpet,
the silken hangings and the violet and
amber tints of the stained glass oriel
window; II think myself it isn't SO
bad. All want now is pair of ilkl-
minated texts over the doorway"
''Oh, let me make them for you,"
said Clara Wrexford, artlessly. II am
SO fond of Illuminating texts. / should
be delighted to have some little mem
ory of my insignificant self woven in
among those pretty things. May I?''
Il couldn't think of troubling you,"
said Mr., Elsley; but at the same time
he noticed how pretty Clara's eyes
were lifted in the shy, appealing man
ner.
II am sure Clara would be charmed, y
said Mrs. Wrexford.
'Tll have them all ready by the end
of the week." said Clara "Oh, shall
be SO proud"
And she clapped her little dimpled
hands like a child.
Mr.. 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 a
foregone conclusion. But then again
that was no reason that he should al
ways remain bachelor. 1t was a
lonely, unsatisfactory sort of life. He
knew within himself that he had be-
come disguised with it long ago. He
had not married as a young man be-
cause 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 young man who OPP
posed him directly in politics as well
as in sundry social matters. Stella
had declined to set herself in opposition
to her grandfather's will.
.'Wait, Ralph, wait" she had said,
with tears in her eyes. '.It will all
come right"
mo, it will not all come right" said
Ralph Elsley, with all the impatience
of youthful and intolerant lover. 1T
comes to this, Stella: you have to
choose between your grandfather and
me-"
.'Oh, Ralph!"
''It is just as you choose. do not
urge you one way or the other"
''But grandpapa is so old and feeble. y
''In other words, you prefer him to
me. thought you loved me, Stella.
OGelld > OIlly dHSWcT was d uOOu VI
tears-and Ralph EIsley left her in an
ger. The next week old Simeon Bar
ringer sailed for Europe.
That was the end of it. Old Bar
ringer died-as he ought to have done
long ago, Elsley uncharitably reflect
ed. No news came from Stella-of
course she was married to some
wealthy Londoner; and Cupid folded
his wings and laid aside his culver at
the threshold of Ralph Elsley's heart.
Love is over, so far as am con-
cerned." said he to himself. And he
really thought so.
But that was all in the past. No rea-
son now that he should not marry. 1t
was the thing to do, he supposed. And
Clara Wexford was a nice girl
enough. Not like Stella, to be sure;
but where was there one in all the
world Tho could ever take Stella 5