The record-union., 1892-04-02
THE ROMANCE OF JOHN CRUGER.

pleasure, and III whose life romance could
never by any chance play part. Such a
man might possess strength of certain
kind-even society acknowledged as
much as that. But if John Cruger was a
strong man, society was averse TO ac-
qualntlng itself with the fact Indeed,
society took small account of John Cru
GER by birth and wealth he had right
to stand among the best. No one denied
to'him such privilege, and, at the same
time, no one dreamed that he would
make use OF it. AS matter of truth he
maze little or no use of it. He was con-
TENT apparently, to plod along in his
own way, to find his amusements out
sue OF the people who looked askance at
him.
Ihose who have studied life at first
Adild VIII, presume, admit that there is
Holhlng so surprising as human nature.
ne lrom whom the least is expected often
mounts to the top. The brilliant meteor
laues into darkness. The man of success
leaps from the man who is accounted
failure. Now, it is only fair to insist that
John Cruger, though vastly misunder-
STOOD, mad never given this world the
opportunity TO understand him. If he
was not set down as dull and unsocial
creature, that was his own fault. What
stared when the news of John Cruger's
engagement to Dorothy Marlboro was
nolSed about? This reciuse, then, was
really capable Of romantic passion!
For, you see, If John Cruger was mis-
understood, Dorothy Marlboro was keen
~ understood. She was not the sort of
Il woman that men, as rule, would have
desired as wife. No one credited her
with heart. She had only touched upon
antiques far enough TO pique curiosity.
Her reputation was, therefore, spotless.
ct 1t was the reputation of cold, prac-
tlcal girl ofthe world. For several months
1t had been foregone conclusion that she
would marry Lord Rothbury, and that
had been Lord Rothbury's opinion, too.
Lord Rothbury, | may explain, was
young and rich Englishman of high
rank, well known in New DIRK, and his
infatuation for Dorothy had long been as
clear as possible. The announcement of
an engagement between them was eX-
pected at any moment. The thing was as
good as settled Then, followed the
startling Cruger episode, which the wise
acres predicted would soon go up III
smoke or something worse. The wise
acres were right. Dorothy did not marry
John Cruger, and she did marry Lord
Rothbury. But the absurd intermediary
episode had furnished society with abund-
ant food Tor gossip, and had directed an
enormous amount of attention to John,
Ieve, was not so lacking in common hui
nanity as he had been supposed to be.
But to the end there was a great deal OF
MySthcation over the BRIEF betrothal Of
John and Dorothy. That was ineXplica-
ble, and Dorothy Vouchsafed no informa-
hon which might lead her friends to a
comforting conclusion. Those friends, it
must be said, We're not students of life or
OF human nature.
John Cruger met Dorothy for the first
time at a dinner He sat beside her at
the table. Strangely enough, he inter
eSted her. He interested her, probably,
because he was SO curiouSly unlike the
ether men whom she had met-and trifled
with. There is no eagerness like that Of
the Sorn coquette for q novel plaything.
SO she put herself out to draw John from
his reserve, with result which amazed
her. John was man of heart and intel
lect, who wore nothing upon his sleeve.
In consequence the vulgar eye perceived
neither his heart nor his intellect. Dor
othy was soon alive to both. John had
selGom talked as he talked to her. The
eloquent glance Of her eye, the eloquent
flush OF her cheek, inspired him. He
was lifted. for a little while, out Of his
own sad SELF. In an evening he and
Dorothy became fast friends.
y friendship like theirs, whether or not
it may be considered, ex otic, ripens speed
lily. He, Indifferent TO women, soon lost
his heart to her. She, cherishing noearn-
est regard for men, was impelled ire
sstibly to like and admire him. 1t took
Dorothy but few days TO feel his
strength. What others had failed to see
in him she saw plainly enough. If she
had been a woman of senSibility instead
OF a calculating brain. she would have
loved him and been glad of her love 1t
was his misfortune that he gave large,
passionate soul TO a small, impassionate
nature. But he dritted into his FOOLS pa
radise without a protest.
AS weeks went by, and as their init
macy grew, Lord Rothbury was not a
man who showed appreciably that he
took notice of anything. Still, there are
limits to even an Englishman's carefully
bred temper. Rothbury would not have
quarreled with Dorothy for whatever
reason. lie had entered into his bargain
with his eyes wide open. He knew what
to expect from her. In fact, so far as he
was concerned, her weaknesses were an
acceptable part Of herself. Rothbury
viewed those Weaknesses with the ut
most philosophy. The appearance of
John Cruger, therefore, as factor of i'm
portance IN his matrimonial scheme an
noyed him. But one can hardly pretend
that it disturbed him. Rothbury was not
easily disturbed.
My dear Dorothy he said to her one
day, Il have observed with regret that
you are encouraging that queer fellow,
Cruger. You know that he is in love
with your
''0h, yes" answered Dorothy. with
some petulance.
You are not serious, of course?''
"Am | ever serious?" she returned
Cayiy. Il am only ambitious, as you
Know"
II gave you credit for good Judgment"
lie went on. We'll, it seemed to me that
/ might venture to speak TO you upon the
subject. Now, tell me, when are we to
announce our engagement
Dorothy reflected for an instant, as if
this suggestion were new and unexpected.
Next summer" she replied, finally.
'Don't be a goose, Rothbury want nv
freedom as long as can have it. Are you
satisfied"
Il suppose I must be-
This was thesfashion of love-making in
which Rothbury and Dorothy INDUCED
ON the whole, Rothbury was satisfied.
Nevertheless, before summer came, he
found many occasions for reproaches.
which were met invariably with laugh
ing approximations. Meanwhile, John
Crnger, innocently opaque to facts which
were transparent to Others fell deeper
and deeper III love. To his imagination
Dorothy was only what he wanted her to
be- And DOrothy-well, Dorothy had
strange emotions when she thought of
John. The man seemed 10 crush her
with his strength and sincerity. She
fought against him while she yielded to
hin.
1t was just after Dorothy's departure,
during the following June, that a chance
street meeting between Rothbury and
John brought matters to a climax.
How do you do Lord Rothbury?'
was Johns greeting to the young Eng
liShman. Il suppose we shall see you
at Foxton this summer?''
toxton is lovely little place in North