The state capital., 1891-06-06
ace. twas the first time Alma and

nv 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 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 / put down the letter
with sigh. I 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 vls-
iting. And it was in these visits that
first met Godfrey Owen.
NV first admiration was wakened by
the extreme beauty of his face, almost
womanly in delicate refinement, in spite
of a heavy blonde mustache. He had an
air of command, the result, think, less
of pride than life of power; the power
of large wealth and association with
his father in vast business schemes. lie
was about thirty-five or six when he
came to Startled and took control OF
the mills, 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 a free distribution of drugs
, and nourishment established, under
firm rules that prevented any imposl
:, ton. Coal was put in every cellar, te
!, be paid for where it was possible, as 6
gift where it could not be purchased
Food, blankets, bedding were all dis
tributed at the lowest possible price u
those .at work, given freely but judi
ciously to the old and sick.
And as I gave advice, pointed ou
urgent need or special cases, met tht
tall, erect figure and beautiful fac'
, everywhere, told myself every hou
! that here was the only man who coult
fully understand Alma; do justice t.
her pure, self-sacrificing spirit; give he
the full sympathy and help all womel
need in their life-work. This was m.
dream, the life these two would lea
together, and it was shattered! VIII
had we sent our child to the city? l
only we had kept her with us, sh
IS must surely have loved this man.
. She came home in June, the sam
T gentle, loving girl, and yet changed
older, more self-reliant, more develope
q by her intercourse with the worlt
u Even her dress was no longer than tn
y girlish costume of year previous, bt
T. raiment better suiting the only child
ID a wealthy man. Her figure was carrie
= with more erect grace; her face, losln
le nothing of it's nun-like purity, ha
N more animation.
And before Godfrey Owen had mi
er her dozen times, |, dreading wor'
he than had already happened, met hi
he by appointment one day, and, our Co
sultation over a cottage matter settle
ut kindly I told him of Allies engag
ne ment. No thought of coquetry cou
On ever linger in her heart, yet her vel
innocence and frankness were decel
k ing him. He turned his face from n
il for a moment, then let it meet II
eyes, pale with emotion, the dark ey
i'll full of half-suppresseda agony.
al THANK you," he said, gently, Il
what know is kindly warming
k comes too late to save me; but Ain
lg- need never know that. Could | see h
and not love her? think my who
he heart was hers the first time she p1
e? her hand in mine and spoke to me.
nd had no right to hope to win her; it W
ch too soon to think of wooing her; but
ess loved her You will keep the seer
he you guessed so soon?"
it II will" said. ''And you will n
lse think hardly of me for telling you?"
ed, s'It was the truest kindness, he sa
nj 81 know now what | must conquer. :"
rk, Whether others guessed the struge
ry- he made, I cannot tell, but l could S
t it plainly. He never sought Ain
ort but he did not in any marked way ave
her. He grew very pale in those 10
ley summer days, and his great dark ey
lie seemed unnaturally large; but he kt
ere on in his daily routine of duty a
ay, charity. and Alma was enthusiastic
but praising him to me.
ne, It was late in the autumn when
ry- began to be uneasy about Char
for Lathrope. He had been in St. Lo
the through September, on some busin
she errand, and had written regularly
in Alma. In October, his letters suddel
che oo,Sad For weary weeks AL