The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-04-18
MAMMA 10.
Julian Vane's Triumph Over Him.
self and the w oman He Loved.

against the windows with long, wall
ing cry, but within all was comfortable
and luxury.
Satin-lined curtains, velvet carpets,
beautiful pictures, and a glowing CRATE
fire, which winked drowsily at them
through the twilight.
10, with a bitter experience of poverty
and the daily struggle for bread, had
thoroughly enjoyed this magnificent
home.
She was nursery gOverneSs to Julian
Vane's little boy. Her life had been
poor and hard, She had earned by her
needle barely enough to support her.
self and her invalid mother.
After her mothers death this opportu-
nifty offered itself to her through the
columns of a daily paper, and she &C
cepted it gratefully.
Vape Hall was big mansion three
miles from the city. 1t overlooked the
sea, and was delightful summer resi-
dence; but when the trees were bare,
the ground covered with snow, and the
sea cold and wild, it might have been
dreary to some, but to Josephine HOl-
delight.
The master was a dark, handsome
man, not over thirty, who spent his
time in riotous living. The old house
keeper told 10 this when She first came.
But 10 pitied the child, who was fine
little fellow, and she was not daunted.
She had a dainty bed room and sitting
room, the free use of a magnificent
piano, and large library.
When Julian Vane entertained his
boon companions, as he often did, 10
shut herself up with her charge and
waited for the revel to end.
She was brave and resolute girl,
dusky-haired and dark-eyed. She had
improved in locke since coming to Vane
Hall; her cheeks were rOunder and she
had better color.
Little Ralph took to calling her
mamma Jo" 1t was impossible to
overlook the fact that he was much
more tractable since her advent.
Mr.. Vane began to discover that his
boys governess was an agreeable young
lazy.
One day he entered the library, where
10 was reading. The boy had been
playing soldier in his long ulster, with
blanket strapped to his sturdy little
shoulders and toy gun over his arm.
Worn out at last he had fallen asleep on
the hearth-rug, with his long brown
curls sweeping across his face.
His father gazed at him thoughtfully
as 10 explained.
SEDnOr 1itt1n co1I;orf ho
better daddyn' he said, with a short
laugh and a careless shrug of the Shout
derS.
''Yes, think So" returned 10, facing
him, calmly.
Vane looked at her with hooking
smile.
Don't preach, Miss 10; that's not
your province"
''Since your brave little son can not
make good man of you, it would be
folly for a mere stranger to attempt
it, she said, as she passed him on her
way to the door.
That was their first little passage-at-
arms; after that they had many.
Julian Vanes half-mocking manner
provoked her into plain speech, which
seemed both to interest and amuse him.
He went on much the same as ever
sometimes rather worse, as if trying to
shock or frighten 10.
But there were intervals of quiet,
when 10 was amazed at the mans cul-
ture and talents, when she was fascin-
ated by his strong magnetism, and filled
with remOrse for his wasted opportuni-
ties.
So whole year passed.
Vane Hall had grown dear to 10, and
its master, with his half-mocking, half
tender manner, filled her heart with
wrath and sorrow. Now the time had
come for her to go.
This night he bad asked her to be his
wife, and she had refused him!
You will not marry me, Jo?" he re-
peated, smiling at her incredulously.
"Why, yes, you will, child. How could
we exist away from each other?"
She looked at him in silence. her eyes
wide and dark with sorrow.
He was bending toward her, flushed
and smiling, sure of success, the dark
locks falling over his forehead.
Speak he said, dropping his hands
upon her shoulder and giving her little
shake. Don't stare at me like little
image. Dare you say that you do not
love me?"
81 despise your faults and weaknesses"
she said, slowly.
He flushed, but answered steadily
enough.
Nonsense! / am much like other
men, trifie worse than some, perhaps,
but not half bad fellow. Come, 10,
when will you marry me?"
''Never," she said in low voice.
81 say you shall." and he crushed her
suddenly in his arms and kissed her
hair, eyes and lips. 81 love you'll love
you! Why. 10, we were made for each
other. admire your brave little soul,
which never fears me! Why, 1 never
loved any woman as love you. 1 was
ketrothed to my wife in childhood. II
was a family arrangement. We had a
quiet liking for one another, nothing
more"
"Do you mean to say" said 10, push
ing him away breathlessly ''that you
never told any other woman that you
loved her?"
Vane burst into an irrepressible laugh.
"What little goose you are, 10! Men
make love to women because they like
it,
us that why you have made love to
me?" demanded 10, grimly.
Good heavens! 10, you know better.
ask you to be my wife-to reign queen
OF my heart and homel My darling
little, darling, will you come? Will you
be mother to my little boy. who loves
CON ~ wall9