The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1893-09-15

| "ihoy uoles why, proven Hillocii u
fooll Has he not for more than year
tormented me? And l during that time
treated him with open, undisguised con-
tempt. And yet when l went to him
yesterday ana told him boldly we were
bankrupted and disgraced; that Stella,
the vile creature, had robbed me of all
had-oh, it makes me laugh to think
how the toothless old dotard blubbered
over my handp'-and with a gesture of
bitter loathing she tossed her hand away
from her-"promising me trousseau
next week that should outvie any in the
Guy, together with a princely settle
ment, If l would consent to marry him
that very hour. Why, an immediate
marriage was Just what was deter
mined on! And it is done," said the
miserable girl, throwing herself on the
sofa, exhausted by the shameful recital.
Mrs. Newton went to her caressingly,
while her tears fell fast.
"Oh, Maud! You do not love this
man! How, then, can you endure the
home you have sold yourself for?'
Love him! Oh, no! l have ever
loathed him. had once some romantic
notions about marrying for love and es-
Gaping from such home as this has al
ways been.
"But that is all past! When once l
| get my promised trousseau and settle
ment, shall allow myself to be very lit
tie troubled with old Varney's society,
assure you. That would be intolerable.
| have lived thus far without love and
can continue to do so, while now have
q position in the most fashionable society
as high as wealth can command. Why
do you weep and look at me so sadly?
What would you have me do?" she cried
| wildly. go out to service? Starve in
the streets-CG worse? My mothers folly
and my fathers shame have barred all
other chances for home but the one l
have chosen or rather accepted as last
resort"
| "Oh, no! no! my poor grill A loving
heart was at your command, and you
scorned it, threw it aside for the golden
chain that now binds you and which will
eat like canker into your SOUL"
| mo. l never scorned Ernest Sher-
wood, never! My whole heart was his.
But how was he received? Turned from
the door by harsh words from my moth
er and bitter insults from my father,
while l was jeered at daily for my low
tastes and Estella's foreigner held up be-
fore me as god"
"But, my dear Maud, when you saw
the state of your fathers affairs, if you
must so hastily seek home, why not let
Ernest know your troubles?"
She started quickly to her feet. LET
him know the deep disgrace that had
fallen? The loss of property he would
not value, but the shame! Tell Ernest
Sherwood that my father was q dishon-
ored mana forger-liable any mo-
ment to public arrest? Do you think I
could do that, or do you know me SO lit
tie as to suppose 1 would shame my
womanhood by offering myself to one l
respected-thatI loved? If you but knew
me, you would not wonder that hate the
parents that have robbed me of all that
l ever valued! l leave within the hour,
and once outside the gate Twill never see
them again-neverp
From these passionate words her
friends suspected she had no knowledge
of the terrible state of things below. A
few words revealed the fact that she
simply supposed her mother was in one
of those stormy fits she had often wit
messed and her father, as usual, allow
| ing the excitement to wear itself out
by silence, though she acknowledged
that she was frightened by his appear
ance When she fully understood the
truth, she was at first greatly shocked,
but her own selfishness soon rose above
all other considerations.
| 'If had but known this sooner! Oh,
Ernest! Ernest! But it is all too later
1t is useless to prolong the scene. The
unhappy girl resisted all efforts to per-
suade her to show at least common re-
spect and tarry till her fathers body
should be laid to rest and her mother
placed in some asylum, and when from
the window she saw q superb equipage
dash up to the door she abruptly said
farewell" and with face in which all
of her ill governed passions were war
ring with better and tenderer mood she
rushed down stairs, and without accept
ing the aid Of her unfortunate and SUI
perannuated husband she sprang into the
carriage, and with the partner of her fol-
ly was soon borne from their sight.
That same afternoon Mrs. LIE Barron
was quietly taken to the retreat selected
and the next day her husbands remains,
in the simplest and most transformations
manner, consigned to the grave.
Duncan remained till the servants were
dismissed on the following week, the
house safely closed and the key placed
in the hands of those who were appoint
ed to unravel the tangled web of the
late owners dealings.
So closed the tragedy that would be
lifelong misery to some, but to the out
side world it was but "nine days won
DER" and other events soon swept it
from the public mind, and it was for
gotten.
[To BE CONTINUED