The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1891-07-25
How She Was DiSDOSSGSSGd.

should extend to them more indulgence
than to other tenants? The right kind
of people would not care to remain
where they cannot pay the rent"
And Arthur Esleigh, the stern-faced,
handsome landlord, with flecls of
silver in his curly brown hair, and with
cynical lines early chiseled about the
beautiful firm mouth, turned and
looked with severe inquiry at his agent.
81 wish you would see them yourself,
Esliegh," the latter remarked in dis
turbed tones.
Esliegh's quick, eagle-like brown
eyes shot contemptuous glance at the
others troubled countenapee,
every well," he said after pause.
81 want to see the old house is pulled
down. l will take a trip up to the
place sometime this afternoon"
The agents rather youthful features
showed a relief and gratitude with
which he did not venture to express in
words, He simply bowed acknow-
ledgment of the courtesy, and presently
withdrew
Once alone, Esliegh's handsome face
became sterner than before.
"Why should interest myself in
these people," he said to himself, "Why
should pity them for their privations
and reduced circumstances? If am
hard and cold and pitiless, a woman
made me so-a woman, too, whom |
had once believed pn angel of good
nessl If other women suffer from my
want of charity, it is her work, By her
talsity one woman has taught me to
distrust all, to dislike and dislike and
despise ALL"
With impatient steps he moved
across his elegantly appointed Office,
There, in one corner, hidden behind
a rich drapery of the darkest purple
velvet, hung a gilt-framed portrait with
its face to the wall,
With hasty movements, as if the
touch was unpleasant to him, Esleigt
fastened back the hanging by its
golden tasseled cord, and then rightec
the picture. It was life-size, and re
presented a lovely girl feeding hel
doves, against background of morn
ing-glories,
The plain white gown, close abou
!. the throat and wrists, clad beauteou
young figure, The poise of the un
covered golden head was instinct witt
" dainty pride.
The face was the face of child
woman, "all fire, spirit and dew"
r. The large eyes, blue as the morning
glory bells swinging above her, wer
, tender and sweet, The full red lip
breathed only truth
AS the lovely painted face locke
down upon him with those gladsom
lips and laughing eyes, Esleigh drew
long, quivering breath of pain.
81 am what you have made me, fai
traitress,r he muttered between hi
= set white teeth. at was you VIII
taught me that woman's sweetest smil
may mask a hollow heart-a heal
at empty Of all conscience, all justice, a
human sympathy, and yet-and yet
I'm He made a movement as if he woul
- rend the exquisite canvas from i
frame and trample it beneath his fee
q A thousand times Esleigh had said
himself that he would destroy IL
picture, that he would no longer ket
this vivid memento of a sweet folly,
h a dead delight and living misery.
But something had always restrain,
the yandal hand,
ed There was a moment of mental cha
'"' as those enchanting memories warr
against his wish and will to forget a
). be at peace,
- "And yet-and yet" he murmurt
"suoh is the madness Of my brain, su
the weakness of my heart, that l 10
you still, that shall still love you, {
u false one, until the grave closes oy
my folly"
For a moment longer he stood gazi
upon the portrait; then suddenly tbs
With was a grating Of wheels against I
D.. curb outside, sound of steel-sh
cod hoofs pausing on the stones.
i9t The carriage had arrived which v
. to convey him to the house occupied
his dilatory tenants.
If show them no lepieney, il
demand my pound Of flesh to the utt
most, it will be because you taught
how to be mercenary, you evil star