Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-07-27
AFTER MANY YEARS.

eyes blazed indignantly as he made the
statement. II know l am not rich. But
what Of that' Does wealth make mani
Not much. A man makes wealth. I shall
be rich''
Il know all that, Ernest; and you know
that l care nothing about your poverty.
love you all the more because you are
poor and have your own way to make in
the world. But papa objects to my mar
rying you on that account. He says that
you are not in our circle; you are too
young, and that he doesn't like you any
way"
The speaker was a young woman Just
turned 90 She was small in stature, but
as symmetrically proportioned as the
finest product of an artists chisel. She
had lovely face and large eyes that were
irresistible in tine depth and sweetness of
their expression. Sne spoke in a soft,
sweet voice, and the tears believed her
peach blow cheeks, as she looked upon
the handsome, resolute man at her side,
who had fallen into deep study and
seemed not TO hear what Celestine Orman
said. After moment he looked toward
her and said with deep feeling:
"What is wealth compared to the love
l bear for you, Celestine"'
ooh, know that it is nothing, but
papa doesn't think so. He gauges every
man by his bank account and his social
rank"
But wealth and social rank are in the
reach of every honest man who will labor
to obtain them. 1t is the man."
81 know. But papa insists that should
marry Spencer Drake, who has plenty of
al Nd
mo brains, no characterp' exclaimed
Ernest Vance. IAN elegant nobody"
Il know all that"
"And would you marry such a thing,
Celestine?'
Not while am in possession of my
senses and Ernest Vance is in the land Of
the living"
Ernest grasped the hands Of the young
girl and looked into her clear, intellectual
eyes, and felt that they mirrored all his
soul craved for. So they did. Celestine
Orman was gem Of a woman. As rich
as cream, with masterful will and strong
intellect, which had been thoroughly cul-
tivated, she was the idol of her home and
the admired and courted of the highest
social circles of New York.
''What shall do?" asked Celestine. ~
do not wish to offend my father. / never
will marry Spencer Drake, and / could
wait an age for you TO come and claim
me. / have plenty of wealth of my own,
but father Is old, and he has set his heart
upon my marrying Drake. He says a
great deal depends upon it; more than [
think for, and that if l were to marry a
poor man like you are now it would be
simply suicidal What shall doy'
Ernest Vance looked at her a moment
and then turned his eyes to another point
in the richly furnished room and relapsed
into a state of reflection. He always did
this when he had knotty problem to
solve. The young woman watched him
with admiring eyes. She adored him-his
intellect, his fearless independence of
character, his royal self-relisnce and as
surance. After a while he said:
"Celestine, I will tell you what You
shall do-you shall wait for me. shall
go away; go west and make name and
fortune and then come and claim you. I
never cared to hive In New York. There
are too many lawyers here anyway. A
man has to rise by slow and painful
stages The west is new country. 4
man of energy, push and talent is recog-
nized Immediately, and he has no draw
backs such as he has here. / viii go
away
ooh. Ernest, that will be dreadful"
exclaimed Celestine, and the tears glist-
ened il. her eyes.
1T is best to do So" said Ernest. II
viii go away. l shall not see you or write
to you In six years from tonight. If [
succeed | will come and claim you six
years from this hour If fall will not
return 10 you"
There was silence as if in the presence
of death. Aud they sat side by side for
many minutes without uttering a word
Then Ernest Vance arose and so did Celes-
tine. He took her h.uds III his and said
In a voice that tremb!ed:
''Well?''
at is best as you say. Will wait for
you" And they parted;
Five years had passed away. Celestine
had not heard word from Ernest
Vance. But she remembered; she was
true: she had faith that he would come to
redeem his pledge. Spencer Drake had
been devoted in his attentions to her, and
her father had coaxed and commanded
and threatened her time and time again,
but in vain: she would not marry Spencer
Drake.
She sat at one Of the large windows,
and looked out upon the noble Fifth ave-
nue.. 1t was the fifth anniversary of the
departure of Ernest Vance.
lone year more!' she sighed.
'My dear" said voice at her elbow.
"Oh How you startled me, father"
My dear, / have sad news for you"
'Pray, what sad news can you have for
me, fathers
Before I tell you shall ask you again
if you will not marry Spencer Drake
Father, ask me to do anything than
that. l cannot marry that horrid, idle,
brainless man.
Her father sighed, and the paleness Of
his checks were visibly deepened. IF you
will not marry Spencer Drake We are
ruined"
Nv hat DO You mean, father?'
81 mean simply that for five years all .
my investments have turned out badly.
that am up to my ears in debt, and that
unless you marry Spencer Drake within .
the next ninety days shall be a bankrupt
In purse and in character"
"But what has Spencer Drake got to do /
with your debtss' asked the young woman /
with fearful calmness.
why, his father is my heaviest in
dorser. He holds $500, 900 worth of my
paper. 1t will mature in the next four
months, and I can't redeem it, That's
what mean, Celestine
Ceiestine WAS visibly shocked at this
disclosure, but her answer was calm and
decisive.
81 love you; I hate Spencer Drake. /
And would not marry him TO save yours
Az ,x-h;~,n.,