The morning call., 1892-05-31
HIS VERY LIFE.

would fancy was his mOltoi Uo INC cause 4OL
good or evil.
He stood in a large, beautiful park that
surrounded the spacious mansion which he
called home, and gazed unobserved on the
ybite-dTaped form of a woman, who was
half sitting. half reclining on G rustic seatin
the shade of a Towering tree. He drew
himself still further into the shadow as a
man approached her.
Robert Owens was a handsome fellow,
graceful In all his movements; but there
were haggard lines on his face, traced there
either by illness or dissipation. tie threw
himself ON the grass before his wife. and
picking the leaves from rose, OleW tnem
into the air.
blanche how would you liket live here
alWays?" he asked
THAT would depend, she answered.
Eyes, upon who owned the place. l sup
nose Cousin Ralph is a good fellow TO
treat US so well. / never gave him credlt
for so much generosity when we were boys
at school. A man is generally down on his
poor kin, and il is scarcely human nature
for him to like his heiT-at-law."
MI R0maine is not like other men,
said Mrs Owens. He has certainly been
Verv kind to u.s."
Lets see-how long have we been here2"
Robert continued.
About three months"
Three months! And have no more idea
Of where we are t. 20 or what We arc 10 do
than l mad before we came"
Mrs. Owens sighed.
''YoU ought 10 be willing TO do anything
that is honorable" she said.
Eyes, ought; but unfortunately, when
man is born a gentleman he can't ac
custom himself 70 hard work and poverty
Il think a gentleman should be as brave
In the struggle IF ifo as any man"
Il suppose he should, on the same prInci-
pie that the statesman lifted his hat to the
negro, because he wouldn't be outdone in
polteness; but l can't bear the pressure.
Sometimes, Blanche, I think l am not
worthy Of you. You are stronger and better
than l. They say honest confession is good
for the soul. you know"
She looked at him alfeCtionately. Blanche
had married her husband for love. and so
far had not been cured Of her sweet folly.
Il don't like TO hear you talk in this
fashion. Robert. You might be all you de-
sire If YOU would only Try"
Pm afraid IL isn't in me. ] have often
thought that | didn't fill the bill of your
natures requirements, but you are so good
and noble that you may not admit this even
30 yourself"
Il am surprised at your humility to-day"
she laughed. You have certainly peue-
trated deeper into the mysteries of my
nature than have, for l am not conscious
of any mental void that you do not I'LL, and
remember, dearest, you are my husband, -
she continued, leaning forward ana placing
one white hand OF his dark hair.
well, Blanche" he said. imprsoning
the little hand. well not become sentiment
tai and melancholy over it, bat I'm afraid
there is too much truth m my confession
There comes Nj Romano" she ex-
claimed, as the person first introduced came
into view.
You are just in tine Ralph We were
confessing our faults ana were on the point
TO- In D - Ia
'.You mean I an too late and have missed
the confessional Was there anything seri-
Ous?"
"WeI. yes. Ihave been telling Blanche
that she is too good for me-"
"Oh, every one knows that, Bob" said
Romano jestingy
There. Blanche! Did I not tell you Sc?
And yet"
Enough, enoughp' his wife exclaimed,
laughing, and putting her hand over his
mouth
Il always thought Dame Fortune more
blind than just She certainly doesn't
always deal fairly" said Romano.
she has been very good TO me in some
ways and very bad IN others, remarked
Ovens, rs he escaped from tie TetaTdIng
hard Of his wife and strolled away.
Il have favor to ask Of you, Blanche"
Mr.. Romano said. MY houSekeeper is in
disposed, and have given her leave Of alb
sence. Her niece Will supply her place.
viii you oversee her a ittIe?"
Blanche assented, and looked at him
gratefully. She understood the deicacy
which prompted this request He wished
her to feel that she was needed ia the house
TO which she had come only as a guest.
SO the weeks went BY, and still Mr.. and
Mrs. Owens remained at Romano PARK.
Robert vas brilliant talkeT, and basking
IN he sunshine OF the hour, made delight
ful companion, while Blanche fitted about
the house, helped TO entertain the guests,
and for the time was mistress Of che prem
ises.
She was very graceful hostess, one whom
Bone could help admlriDg. presiding with that
natural ease which can never be ACQUIRED:
and If she were not perfectly happy it was
not because she felt unwelcOme for Romano
lett nothing UndOne that might contrib butte
10 the pleasure OF his guests; but he did il
all In such an unobtrusive way that there
was no burden in his hospitality.
Dinner WAS over. The moon threw such
brilliant light into the dTswing-room that
the gas had not been lit. The air was frag-
grant with the breath of q creeping rose that
wound itself around the pillar Of the piazza
II naa Deen very warm day, almost SUI
locating; but at dusk slight breeze arose.
"a lovely night for a row, Romano" said
Owens, lounging against pillar of the YER
Rnda.
"All right, Robert, wen go"
Blanche" called her husband, "we're
OF for row. Bring your guitar"
In moment" she answered.
II was lovely night. One for poets
dreams and lovers; night when the higher
spiritual part Of human nature rises above
It's earthly environments when our ideal ewes
can almost pierce beyond the blue to the
mysteries 1t wells.
The water was smooth as glass: the moon
shone Ike silver; the boat glided on with
very little effort from the oarsmen, Blanche
began 10 sing, for no one seemed disposed IN
talk. From one ballad to another she
passed, the men listening in silence. But
what was the matter with the night? Thew
were suddenly plunged in darkness. A
cloud had obscuTed the moon.
We are going TO have rough weather.
Let US start for the shore" said ROmaine
''See how fast that cloud travels. and how
the waves rOllP' exclaimed Owens in some
excitement
Romano was already giving his strength
10 the oars. Blanche was apparently az
calm as though she were safe at ROmaine
FarK. Sne was not naturally a nervous
woman, and the beauty of the night had
perhaps inspired her soul with little of its
subimity.
Suddenly the storm burst upon them. the
waves rolled high and tossed the boat abont
like an eggsheH. They could not see each
Others faces; they were saturated with rain
and spray.
Pm afraid we're lost" shouted Oven.
above the rear Of the tempest.
Hold fast and we're all right" shouted
back komainei but never a word spoke
Blanche 0P0A0
A blaze of lightning showed them thar
they were near the shore. Tie boat began
70 whirl around.
Courage, Owens, courageW cried Ro-
maine; and while he said it they were in
the water. "
AS the boat eapszed Blanche did M,
know who clRsred her close and called ont
Don't pull me downV
a wave rolled over them and the next
moment she was on solid ground
Are you alive Blanche ?" said Romano
GImTITmrR -