Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1888-01-05

I.
life which had made all this difference
this freak which did not promise ever to
be who ly bridged over-with almost
fury Of resentment. Itgilled him TO the
quick to a knowledge that the treachery
of mere hollow woman OF the world
should have laid his life barren IN this
way lie had gotten to feel that he had
lost all reveren for her sex through her.
She had lowered his whole standard.
There were occasions when he told hun
self that il he despised her less he would
hate her for the wrong she had done
him.
A friend Of his who knew the figure of
the Maskelyne estate with approximate
accuracy and who had a,msrriagea ole
sister took himto his mothers house one
day and introduced him. Mrs. leth-
bridges house was homelike in an emf
nent degree, and Maskelyne liked Leth-
bridge, even though he was conscious OF |
no special admiration for his sister. He |
returned there several times, as much as
anything from want Of other interest. |
Once he walked uptown with Leihbridge,
and entering on his invitation he passed
in the hall slight young girl in black.
The light was rather dim; it was at the
close Of the afternoon; the gas was not
vet lighted, and he only saw her face
when she was close upon the two men.
Then however, he saw it distinctly and
she raised her startled eyes to his.
Lethbridge had sprung forward and
opened the door for her. She went rap
idly out with slight inclination of the
head. Lethbridge had a heightened
color on his face.
When they had gone back into the
library Maskelyne, standing with his
back to the light, said:
:" That lady who passed out looks as
tonishingly like Miss Flora Wade"
"It is Mss Wade" Lethbridge took
up book and laid it down again. "She
is nursery governess to two OF my
younger sters."
"The Miss Wade who was out West a
few years ago." said Maskelyne, after
| pause, twas an heiress."
"Flora Wade was an heiress until
year ago-yes. suppose you have heard
the story ~ -,
Out on the frontier one hears nothing, "
/ said Maskelyne, dryly.
| - NO ( w ell, IL was uObAluS hO"s
Wade made his money by lucky stroke,
you know. or a series OF lucky strokes,
and he lost it by one unlucky one. Then
he blew his brains ont, more than any
thing else, suspect, because there were
well-founded suspicious that all his
transactions had not been perfectly le-
gitimate The two girls were with an
aunt. Miss Wade had been taken
abroad, and had refused, it is under
stood, ducal coronet. For two seasons
she led everything before her here.
When the change came she left the aunt,
whose health had suddenly Tin conse-
quence of these changes) become too
delicate for the support and care of two
Young girls. Miss Wade had had a
brilliant education, but, passed under
review with reference to such elements
in it as could be turned to practical ac-
count, it appeared that there was very
little Miss Wade could do to support
herself and her young sister. She could
be a nursery governess. however, and
that is what she is now"
There was silence between the two men.
Allen Lcthbridge took, hesitatingly, a
step forward.
"I don't mind selling you," he said,
leaning his arm against the corner OF the
mantel, " that have an immense admira-
tion for Flora Wade. Ifshe will marry
me she shall be my WIFE"
The door opened, admitting Mrs.
Lethbridge and her oldest daughter.
"Oh, Mr.. Maskelyne, hope you will
stay to dinner with u.s." cried the lady
hospitality.
Thanks. am sorry. 1 have an en-,
j gagement."
,, Hlaskeyne went out, and the engage.
ment proved roaming of the streets uti'
til far into the night.
Against the conjunction pleading in
all his nerves for Flora, awaking and
throbbing with the opening Of wound
he had thought cicatrized and quiescent,
he had arrayed fierce arguments out OF
the elements of scorn and resentment he
, had been harboring and accommodating
through these four years past in his soul.
What if misfortune had faler upon herr
Would that change herr Would hat
make true woman in day of one who
hitherto had lived only for the tiimsy
.. yanites of the world and her own-seli
! love9 Why, he kept urging upon him
! self brutally, she had seemed blooming
, enoughwhen he caught that one glimpse
, of hor in Mrs. Lethbridges hall. She
was not changed so ve;y much in ap
pearancc by misfortune as m ght be ex.
, pected. 1t was proper, of course, thai
she should look little demure and
, depressed. She was gocd actress and
she would be likely to play her part
well. Was not her reward within hel
grasp already Allen Lethbridge's ad
! miration and intentions were probably
! perfectly Gear to her. That was the
: way out of her difficulties-by the easy
|, path of matrimony.
! Thus the hurt he had himself received
9 goadcd him to brutal injustice, crying
: down with high voice the appeal o
every other sentiment. He went homt
: at last and threw himself on his bed
: bruised and sore in all his members from
! the conflict in his soul.
& He did not return to the Lethbridges'
t and he kept out from Aliens way.
d One day, about a week later, in passing
9 picture gallery, he wandered in. Their
. was one other person only in the gallery
| a lady in black with her back to tho door
5 Maskelyne stood still, with q suddei
a pang In moment the lady turned he
I haad sliphtlv and Maskelynn saw tha