Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1889-02-15
Miss Hsrte was an accomplished


mus,cian, with Q rich contralto
voice, and love of music had al
ways amounted to passion with
Mr.. Randall, so there was a strohg
bond OF sympathy there.
The summer wore away pleasant
", and 1t was only when closed
cottages and deserted beach told
of departing guests that Jos'ph
Maxwell asked himself seriously
how his summer filtration was to
end.
He was not conceited man, yet
Maude Maxwell had let him see
very plainly that she bad a prefer
ence for his society and attentions.
Yet he shrank from the prospect
of q wife with no idea above dress
and gaiety, however richly she
might be lowered
Loving neither, in the true sense
of the word, he certainly found
more pleasure in the society OF the
older lady and then little demon
of policy whispered to him that,
after all, the money was Miss
Harte's, and, with her social posi-
ton and attractions she might
marry, and so deprive Msude of
her supposed inheritance.
1t was true that she was old
enough to be his mother but a
handsomer woman,' and one 30
thoroughly tasteful in dress, could
always appear younger than actual
years warranted, and-he liked
her yes, he certainly respected
and liked her.
For tw. OF three days he hesi-
tsted, shrinking yet from placing
himself in the position OF q fortune
hunter, and then he wrote q manly
tender letter to Miss Harte, asking
her to be his wife.
He had sufficient tact to avoid
fiowery fiattery, to make sickenlng
proteststions, and the letter bore
the stamp of sincerity on every
line. An hour later his messenger
brought an answer, and Miss Harte
was his affianced wife.
Escortlng the ladies to their
homo, q magnificent country seat,
Mr.. Randall would not have been
human had he not congratulated
himself upon the future ownership
of the wealth so lsvishly represent
ed all around him.
He had said nothing about the
future position of Miss Maxwell,
good.nsturedIy willing that she
should still find a home with her
aunt but he sometimes thought
be would give her a hint about
assuming 80 much the air OF mis-
tress OF the house.
The wedding was magnificent,
the honeymoon spent in travelling
upon a wedding gift of a cheque
from Mr.. Randalps uncle aud
one morning, in cosy confidence,
the subject of going home arose.
"where have you taken rooms,
dear 2" Mrs. Randall asked cor
shall you go to housekeeping "
"Rooms," cried the bridegroom !;
"shall you not return to your own
house ~
"My own house | have no
house, Joe," for suddenly the truth
flashed her "did you think ] had
money 7 I thought everyone knew
that was Msude's pensioner. OH"
and her face grew very pale, "what
a fool l have been ! / thought you
loved me-"
"You were no fool In thinking
that" was the quick reply, as her
husband put his arm around her ;
~ do love you. 1 did think the
position reversed, and that Maude
depended on you; butnever dou bt
my love. If 1T was not very arde Mt
when 1 proposed to you, 1t
grows stronger every day, it grows
stronger every day that we spend
together"
"But yet you thought me
wealthy"
ga very humiliating fact l can
not deny !" and then in sudden
outburst of confidence, Mr.. Randall
told his wife the whole truth,
dwelling somewhat longer upon
bis business attempts and perplex-
itics, than on the hope he had en-
tertained of a future life Of lux
urious idleness.
When he had finished, bis wife
spoke
"YOu may not like to hear my
fathers opinion Of me, Joe, though
he meant it to be q complimentary
one. He always said l should
have been . man, for had true
business head. For ten years be-
fore be died he was paralyzed. and
/ was the actual head of his busi-
ness, the weaving Of carpets, in
W. He left me competency,
which Was stolen from me by a dis
honest trustee and should have
taken up some occupation to gam
my own living had not Maude been
left an orphan, and lmplOred me tc
live with her.
sit was scarcely life Of de
pendence, for she needed me, ant
her lavish gifts of clothing snt
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