The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1891-10-14

wondered that he did not take me out
or ask his friends to see me. Still though
i read and practical and studied with
Mrs. Watson, l was very, very lonely"
/ glanced at Mrs. Watson, an ironclad
companion who played propriety a: all
our interviews, and shuddered. This
young life must have been pitifully
cramped, between the cid mans jealous
seclusion and the rigid companionship
of the grim female left on guard in his
absence.
1t was new delight, when the first
year of mourning was over, TO coax
Mabel and Mrs. Watson abroad to see
the sights ofthe great city, and was still
in my FOOLS paradise, when a sharp re-
minder came to sting me. One of my
old friends asked me:
"When is the wedding to be Herbert ?"
/ do not know what I answered.
Strange as it may sound, l had never
thought of the future in all this pleasant
intercourse.
1t was so sweet to drifi along loves
stream, asking nothing but present hap
piness, that had not realized where it
must all end.
And when, at last, / faced the situa-
ton, there seemed but one honorable
course. l must go away, sell out my
share ofthe business, and establish my
self in some remote city.
Mabel Stearn was q mere child vet,
but her little hands held wealth far be-
yond my own. Even the large property
in the business was but small portion
of her estate. Real estate, bank stock,
bonds, railway stock-I cannot tell what
rested in her name, under some con-
troll from Mr.. Garland, but yet governed
by her own clear little brain.
Was | mean enough, asked myself
scornfully, to take advantage Of my po-
sition, and turn fortune hunter? And
even as 30 thought, my love rose up in
my heart, strsng and tender, and told
me that if Mabel were but poor and
friendless, / would never flee from her,
but count it my dearest happiness to WOO
and win her.
Since honor forbade this, / made up
my mind to withdraw from my Eden,
and gradually arrange the business to
turn it over into the hands Of some new
partner.
Forthree long, weary months worked
with this end in view, and saw Mabel
but once. l noticed she was pale and
sad, and my heart smote me that in my
selfish pleasure had never thought there
might be danger to her.
am no puppy to fancy every woman
who is friendly is in love with me, but
knew myself to be a gentleman, not ILL
looking and well read, and unconscious
ly had tried to put my very best for
ward in the presence of Mabel Stearn.
l went away from her, wretched and
selfreproachful, and sought Mr.. Garland.
AS well end it at once, thought, and in
a few words l told him l wished to sell
out my share of the business and leave
the city.
Rather sudden, is it not ?" he asked,
looking at me keenly.
"No, l have been thinking of it for
some time"
The business was never so prosper
ous."
Then can sell OUT TO advantage"
"But Mrs. Stearn may have difficulty
in finding smother partner so careful Of
her interests as you have been"
81 hope honest men are not so rare"
said, rather stiffly.
"Oh, ifit was simply matter of hon
esty, l have no more to say. l thought
you felt some personal interest in one so
young, so lonely and unprotected"
Ny throat seemed to parch as tried
to speak quietly, and kind hand fell on
mine, kind voice said;
"You are trying to smother your love
under your pride"
under my honor" answered, for l
could not deny the truth to the earnest
eyes, so full of sympathy, bent upon
mine.
Mr.. Garlandis hand patted mine in q
sort of paternal fashion, as he said
slowly:
"Hiram Stearn was an eccentric man.
You must have known that. think l
was the only person in the world in
whom he ever fully conhded. When
Mr. Jones died and left Mabel penniless,
and such a child in worldly knowledge,
Mr.. Stearn knew that his own thread Of
life was nearly spent. He had an incur
able heart disease and was past seventy.
He married Mabel, knowing she had no
realization of the solemn ties she was
taking upon herself He kept her in
seclusion; kept her, above all, from the
society of younger men. Not because he
was jealous, but because be knew she had
never loved, and he feared she would
find her woman's heart too soon. She
will be free soon, he said to me, and in
position 10 command respect. II she
loves then, Heaven bless her choice"
Then Mr.. Garland bent forward, and
spoke very slowly:
"And he added: If her choice should
fall upon Herbert Holloway, tell him the
dearest wish of my heart will be grant
ed.'"
'He said that ?" cried, breathlessly.
He said that, knowing you as no other
man could know you, boy and man for
years"
"But," 1 said presently, al do not know
that Mabel loves me-"
'No one can know that until you ask
her. She is not a woman TO show her
heart"
Ny only scruple was gone. If Hiram
Stearn acquitted me Of fortune hunting
l cared nothing for the worlds opinion
Scarcely could wait until the morrow,
and at the earliest hour permissible
was in the familiar parlor, waiting tc
hear the light step, the sweet voice
fondly hoped to win for the music Of my
home.
will not tell you Of that interview. II
is sufficient to say that a month later
there was quiet wedding, trip to the
ksunny South, and my business partner