The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1891-06-06

full of every detail of her new life. To
my surprise, she entered into every
pleasure heartily, her desire to please
her father being the duty that sus-
tanned her. Alma must have duty to
make every act of her life pleasant to
her, and so for filial obedience she sub
mitted to deck her fair, delicate beauty
in dainty fabrics, to go to society's
gatherings and win a position there by
her gentle sweetness, as sure as she
had won it amongst her poor prOteges at
Starfeld.
In January, two great events oc-
Cured. The mills were purchased and
opened by gentleman from New York
named Owen, and the hands taken on
at full time and good wages. The let
ter of glad thanksgiving that Alma
wrote in answer to this news told me
another piece of news, not unexpected.
She had promised to marry Charles La
thrope, a young clergyman, who had
taken prominent place in her letters.
She had written to me very often of the
rest it was to her. in the life she could
not find really congenial, to converse
with Mr.. Lathrope, to help him little,
quietly, amongst his poor people, to at
tend the services in his church.
Mr.. Bentley was well pleased The
father of the young clergyman was his
friend, and in wealth, culture and So
cial position there was nothing to be
desired. And 1 put down the letter
with sigh 1 had been building an
air castle that the letter shattered.
Mr.. Owen, the gentleman who had
taken the mills, had remained in Star
field only enough to get everything
well started, and had then returned to
New York, leaving the entire control
in the hands of his son Godfrey.
1t had been one of Alma's special re-
quests, on leaving home, that would
take care of some of the sick amongst
the mill-hands, and take her place, as
far as l could spare time, in the poor
cottages where so much help was need
ed. And even when the best of all
help came, in steady work at good
wages, there were still many sick,
many too old to work, who needed Wis
iting. And it was in these visits that l
first met Godfrey Owen.
My first admiration was Weakened by
the extreme beauty of his face, almost
womanly in delicate refinement, in spite
of heavy blonde mustache. He had an
air of command, the result l think, less
of pride than life of power; the power
of large wealth and association with
his father in vast business schemes. He
was about thirty-fve or six when he
came to Starfeld and took control of
the mills, a control at once firm and
liberal, strict in the observance of
every rule, kind in the interest felt and
shown in every man, woman and child
in the establishment There was a
great deal of sickness. At once, res
ident physician was sent from New
York, and free distribution of drugs
and nourishment established, under
firm rules that prevented any imposi-
ton. Coal was put in every cellar, to
be paid for where it was possible, as a
gift where it could not be purchased.
Food, blankets, bedding were all dis
tributed at the lowest possible price to
those 'at work, given freely but judi
ciously to the old and sick.
And as | gave advice, pointed out
urgent need or special cases, met the
tall, erect figure and beautiful face
everywhere, ] told myself every hour
| that here was the only man who could
fully understand Alma; do justice to
her pure, sclf-sacrifcing spirit; give her
the full sympathy and help all women
need in their life-worz. This was my
dream, the life these two would lead
| together and it was shattered! Why
had we sent our child to the city? II
only we had kept her with us, she
must surely have loved this man.
She came home in June, the same
gentle, loving girl, and yet changed,
older, more self-reliant, more developed
by her intercourse with the world.
Even her dress was no longer than the
girlish costume of year previous but
raiment better suiting the only child OF
wealthy man. Her figure was carried
with more erect grace; her face, losing
nothing of its nun-like purity, had
more animation.
And before Godfrey Owen had met
her dozen times, l, dreading worse
than had already happened, met him
by appointment one day, and, our con
sultation over cottage matter settled
asked him to walk with me. Very
kindly / told him of Allies engage
ment. No thought of coquetry could
ever linger in her heart, yet her very
innocence and frankness were deceiv
ing him. He turned his face from me
for a moment, then let it meet my
eyes, pale with emotion, the dark eyes
full of half-suppressed agony.
Thank YOU" he said, gently, "fol
what know is a kindly warning. L
comes too late to save me; but Almi
need never know that Could see hel
and not love her? think my whole
heart was hers the first time she put
her hand in mine and spoke to me.
had no right to hcpe to win her; it wa,
too soon TO think of wooing her; but
loved her. You viii keep the secre
you guessed so soon?"
II will" said "And you will no
think hardly of me for telling you?"
st was the truest kindness" he said
= 81 know now what | must conquer"
Whether others guessed the struggle
he made, ! cannot tell, but | could se
it plainly. He never sought Alma
but he did not in any marked way avoi
her. He grew very pale in those lon
, summer days and his great dark eye
} seemed unnaturally large; but he KEEP
; on in his daily routine of duty an
charity, and Alma was enthusiastic il
praising him TO me.
1t was late in the autumn when w
began to be uneasy about Charlie
| 4 = 81