, 1891-07-12
Hiehet Of al IN LelyenO5 io"ef--4. S Govt Report, Aug i. 1850
RWa z:A BsxiGs
ARSNa ETseESk R1aFEaE
ABSOLUTELY PURE

: But Harry Trent had himself superb
tended the work in all its stages, an
had seen to it that the workmeu's houl
of rest did not exceed their hours of Il
Dor. And yet, when ali was done an
February was drawing to n close, /
still delayed moving in. 1t may hay
been merely accident; II may nave bee
that he was waiting for Olympia Rave
and her mother TO get ready, or. poss.
bly-for all men have their weak side
he was the least bit superstitious an
was haunted by Il recollection of tina
old proverb, When the house is bull
death enters in" But he was stron
and healthy, in the full enjoyment of
life that had never met with a seriou
failure or disappointment. In every
thing he attempted he had been success
tul, and either prudence or a NATURAL,
happy temperament had kept him iron
spelling his nerves and digestion by to.
anxious and assiduous labor. If eve.
the afternoon slope Of a mans life prom
ised TO be sunny, easy and prolonged, il
promised 50 to him. He had built Z
house perfectly adapted to his needs
it was ready to receive him; his many
friends, impatient for the house warm,
ing, We're counting the days that had to
elapse before Lent came and postponed
the celebration to a remote Euster-and
still Harry Trent made no sign. What
wa the matter with him.
He had, in fact, visited the hUnse al
most every day, letting himself in with
his passkey, and sauntering through the
beautiful roorns. where fires were kept
burning in the open CRATES by the care
takers in charge. He contemplated the
interior from all points Of view and in
all moods, sometimes tentatively max
ing n slight modification of arrange
ment, which he was rs likely as not to
restore the next day, He seemed loath to
persuade himself that all was really just
as he would have it, aud yet he could
devise no Improvement. So might a
lover study the face of his mistress,
nlraid t1 believe that her lovely features
were absolutely without flaw. or so
might any mortal regard themost nearly
perfect earthly achievement, unable to
suggest any lettering of it, and yet
vaguely conscious that, in some way,
nothing of this earth could be perfect
indeed.
The twenty-fifth of the month ar
nved and found the situation unchanged.
Harry Trent had on that day gone to
afternoon tea at Mrs. Matchin's, it being
her day at home, and had remained till
after six o'clock. A dozen other people
were present, and the talk was lively.
Harry himself seemed in particularly
fine spirits, When he took his leave Mrs.
Matchin accompanied him to the ante
rom. tYtl gt4 vol fhnts. "a f.,vr ,,,,,,.,,N-
speaking with him in an undertone.
They were undoubtedly on confidential
terms, and TOR every straw must count
it sent up her stock as the possible Mrs.
Trent several degrees, She came back
with n dcepened color and a mysterious
smile, and entertained her company
more brilliantly than ever,
Harry Trent walked To his club. only
IA few blocks off, where he temporarily
had rooms, and took dinner there with
two or three friends, one Of whom was his
chief clerk. The latter ufterward drank
coffee with him in the smoking room.
At about eight o'clock Trent left the
club without saying where he was going,
and he did not come back that night.
Let us follow Am ourselves. \ recent
spell Of warm Weather hns melted the
snow from the streets, bnt now it has
fallen clear and cold again. The dry,
bracing air tinglcS in tn" nostrlls. Harry
Trent throws away his cigar and fills
his lungs with the frosty distillatiuu Of
the stars; then he buttons his Goa across
his chest and steps II at u sturdy pace.
His white hair glistens lkesilver beneath
the rim of his silk hat; his ruddy. kindly.
la1.1-AY.,A F... ,....I. H. .-.sl.-
blue eyes and well set lips, is alternately
revealed and Swallowed as he approaches
and passes the street lamps, At the cor
ner of Twenty-siNth street and Fifth
avenue, where the mp own Delmouico'.
now stands. lie halts and Seems to de
liberate.
A beggar Creeps up aud mumbles n
petition. Harry looks at him Il moment
and then draws off his glove to give him
n quarter. A woman walks by him.
fingers II turns to pass him again.
Harry says. Take care, my child:
there's n policeman round the ~coruer!'
A hack driver draws up ut the curb and
touches his hat. Harry hesitates. There
were 10 elevated ruadsin those days; but
finally he shakes his head and continues
his walk up the avenue.
at will do me good to foot it" he says
ia himself. whats Il couple OF milesl'
Sottened light comes through the cur
tanned windows on either side of he
street; carriages rumble up and down
over the uneven pavement, ever and
anon plusing to set down their oacu-
pants at Il carpeted doorway. At Thirty
sixth street Harry pauses again, and be-
fore his mind rises the picture of the
young Olympia, n figure of youth, health
and arch intelligence, who is even now,
perhaps, thinking of him, only IA few
doors away. Shall he go in and pass the
evening there! He nearly yields to the
suggestion, and takes n step or two in
that direction. But no! he had promised
himself something different; he will see
Olympia tomorrow. He turns again and
resumes his walk. Yet Olympia wa.
really thinking of him at that momen
and tomorrow-well. Tomorrow some,
times means never.
No such reflection disturbs Harr,
Trent, The exercise has warmed HI
blood, and his heart is light. The con
slant success of his life has had its efrec
upon him. He does not believe that mis-
fortune can overtake him. Mortal ma
seldom or never lives to Harry's az
without having done something that h
ought not to have done. Yet he has don
much good in the world. His reputation
among his fellows is untarnished. If h
have enemies they have not declare
themselves. But has he an enemy? A
any rate, he fears none. Like otherf for.
innate men, he has faith in his star; lik
them. too. he fOrgpts tha larand Of Or,
.sus.