The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1889-05-30

social distinction, business prominence
and increasing prosperity"
well, Annie?'
well, Dick-I'm TO be frank, you
remem5er-don't you think a heart
made cold to ones old and tried
friends high price TO pay for these?
Have you ever thought OF 1t that way,
Dick?'
mo, haven't; but then other men
rise to these elevated positions Why
can't /? My old friends wouldn't want
to keep me back from prosperity,
would thcy?'
mo, no, indeed, Dick, it isn't that
There's no change in your old friends,
but they are sad to see success chang
ing you. You have brought yourself
to believe that the friends you will
make in the higher plane will be bet
ter than We, and there have sprung up
the wish and the purpose to turn your
back upon us. You feel that you'll be
ashamed even Of your good, blessed
old mother, and-and, Dick, Of"
well, Annie?''
.'Of me-
Memory placed beside this truth the
feeling once fOndly cherished-the
anxiety that she should reciprocate his
many secret vows Of constancy, and
the contrast pierced him. But not
deeply; he had too long nursed the
belief in her '.incompatibility." and
the old affection faded as stars at
dawn.
If you feel, ANNIE" he replied,
that life in the fashionable world
that l will soon enter is distasteful to
you, l."
..There, there. Dick. don't finish it.
! know now how you feel. / speak
kindly, but please don't say it. Spare
me at least the plain statement that
I'm too common for the plane you are
rising to. Don't 60 away thinking
don't wish for your happiness and sue
cess. do. Dick. You can't wish for
them more than / do. l will always
be glad to see YOU Goodbye. God
bless you.'
He had attained his wish-was free
from this lovely girl-but where was
the feeling OF relief? Walking home
ward he felt cast adrift, not like hav-
ing himself loosed his bark upop de-
sirable tide. As in a battle, success
meant something slain. But youths
fairy fabric has few threads OF regret;
the flying years soon weave them into
the heavier wool of life.
Next morning the customary for
malities made Dick junior partner,
and Tom Wilgus chief book-keeper.
The dinner always given on the even
ing Of this day by the retiring partner
was announced by Sydney Deaker, and
Dick, with his mother and sister, was
cordially invited.
Words fail to describe Dicks lavish
preparations for this important intro
duction to society. Highly delighted
Herewith, sharp misgivings as to his
mother and sister pricked his refined
soul as they rode dinnerward in the
coach. The former was too plainly
dressed: the latter entirely too demure
and lacking in that dashing grace OF
Sophia Emmert His giddy fancy pict-
ured her cold. critical glance upon
them, and her turning haughtily away
and forever ignoring him.
The celestial creature did drop such
a glance upon the plain widow and
daughter, but she did not turn haugh-
thy away. She was exceedingly gra-
cious; Dick feared patronizingly SO;
but he repealed the base thought, par
ticularly when he saw that such, too,
was A.s MOTHERS impression. Sophia
was angel-high above such pettiness.
What cordial congratulations! What
qucenly dignity. What loneliness!
What radiant signs Of a loving. con-
tiding, womanly heart! The junior
partner was wOrshiper from that |
moment, and lowly, unassuming Annie
sank below the horizon.
Old Sydney Deaker was plainly
dressed, but Emmert shone resplend-
ent. Dick couldn't help noticing the
genuine cordially extended by the two
Deakers to his mother and sister; and
when Mrs. Deaker, a placid, motherly
old lady entered, no patronage iced
the kisses she gave them, but they
were warm with true, unaffected hos
pitality.
Emmert's greeting was like throw
ing reflected sunlight into another's
eyes, and greatly impressed by it,
Dick shallowly rejoiced at the in
creased prosperity awaiting his firm
when those old-fogy Deakers dropped
out. How sadly purblind is youth; but |
experience soon adjusts corrective
spectacles. He was not too far gone,
however, to- note, with some wonder,
how easily his mother and sister were
themselves. instead of sit
ting neglected Ia corner. as he had
expected: but he was not permitted b
profit by the observation. A soft voice
beside him asked:
"Do you sing, Mr.. Perchmont?'
Sophia flashed her glorious eyes into
his face He had !. been fiutteringl
uIOuuu iCEs dluu uON, lOOhe
ing down into those lustrous orbs he
saw in their divine depths shrine of l
devotion.
No" lie replied, .'but | know you
do
''How do you knOw?"
Your face, your eyes show me that
the divine spirit Of music must be in ]
your heart
oh, callow youth!
@Oh, you men are smch Hatterers. /
didn't think it of you. MIR. Perch
mont. Turn the pages. please
He was only too glad to serve her;
would have tried impossibilities for
her. Tho first link OF loves soft but
tenacious chain had been forged.
She sang waiting" heavenly, Dick
said. He thrilled with the delicious
hope that soon a. .'footfalls" would be
n