Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1894-09-21


land and q hovel, poor place enough, in
nj conscience, but still ileir own, aud !
co. when her husband died, Jcnn sent |
for me, and now, instead Of picking mp |
roos in New York, | am scratching the |
ground in Roxbury.
"Ah, someth pg of rise in life! !
trust the chance agrees with YOU.
aI nm we'll enough satisfied"
at least, you are with your own flesh
and blood.
Yes. l am that much better off, cer-
tainly." .,on
Your daughter has children, you said2"
"Yes two"
And they are sick?'
very sick.
What is the natter
u do not know---I cannot understand"
Has doctor seen tEem?"
"a doctor! Good gracious. How could
we pay DOCTOR"
But YOU must have one. Here, go fer
one at once" and lie oEerod him five
The oil man stretched forth his hand
to take it. Then strange expression
came into his eyes, and quickly with
drawing his hand, be said hurledly,
NO. moi" and turning abruptly, fastened
/
Leland gazed after him for moment
with n thoughtful air, and then, with
bowed ned, and his hands tightly
clasped behind him, slowly made his WY
! homeward.
throwing off tho disa }reeabe impression
The ouoIdam rag-pcAer had made, and
hv the fine he had reached lis own door
hal almost forgotten him.
In truth. he had sometli ing much more
Agreeable to think of, and could but con-
gratulde himself on his campaign,
+ Which seemed 10 lin, not with ont rea-
son. to have been masterpiece OF strata-
gem. e.,.us o,d
cunning be hid qu cklY enlisted CARA
Denton in his interest. From that moment
IN, realization Of his ambitious dreams
seemed assulel, for he was not ignorant
of the Incompatible value IT Wo nan
assistance and knew all the power OF
those small bat cumulative efforts, ana Oh
those subterranean movements whlch as
simulate feminine influence 10 the secret
and irresistible influences of nature.
Another mt gancd-he hld esta0-
lished a secret between that pretty woman
end himself, and lad placed himself on
q confidential oot.ug tn her.
lie had ga ned the right to keep secre'
thor ciandestine words and private CON
yersation, and such pcsitioh cieNerly
MANAGED could aid him to Iass very
aoreeabiy the time nece5f ary to gain a
residence in Connecticut, and the period
occupied in his political canvass.
Leland. on entering the house, sat
down to write to Mr.. SWeetland to IN oTm
him of the orening of his operations
and admon;sh him to keep quiet. From
that day he turned his attention to follow
ing up the two persons who could control
his election.
His rolicy rs regarded Mr.. Mctcalf was
as simp as it was clever. Proht n6 Dny
his growing familiarity as neighbour, he
went to school, as it were, TO the OLD gem
tlem9n farmer, and gave him up tie dl-
reclion CT tie Sedlcy ia m. by this quiet
compliment, enhanced by bis captivating
courtesy. he advanced inscnslbly in the
Good Graces Of the old man.
After some weeks OF ilmOst daily in
torcoursc, Mr.. Me!calf graciouSly praised
his Young neighbor IS good fellow, an
! excellent musician, au amlAble associate;
but to make him COn.leSsman, saw
some things VIII ch mi ,ht disqualliy him.
The Young man, however dldnot worry
him.olf so much about the m tier as
might be supposed for Lis second ambl-
ton had superseded his erst; III o heI
words. his fancy for Clara Denton had
become more ardent and moro pressing
than bis love for political prcfcrmcnt.
We a~o comrel'od 10 admit, not TO his
credit, that lie first proposed to himself
to gain The affections OF his falr neigh
Dor as a simple pAstlmc, as an lntere ting
adventure, and, above all, as work OF
art, which was extremely difficult and
would rebound 10 his great honor
TO accomplish his object, he trusted tc
his own principles, to the fascinallon' ol
his manner and his previous successes
Instinctivelv he knew that the ordnar
forms of ilantry would not answer witt
her. All his art was o surround her Will
ABSOLUTE respect and to leave the rest tt
time and tie growing intimacy of eacf
day.
There was something very touching tC
Clara Denton in the roseryed and tlmlt
? manner Of this mauyais suJet IN her pres
cnce-the homage Of fallen spirit, a
, though ashamed of being such, in pres
once of a spirit of light.
Never, either in public or i'll their tete-
l a-tetes, was there q ct, word or
look which the most sens tive virtue
9 could fear.
This Young man, ironical with all th'
rest of the world was serious with her
From the moment he turned toward her
his voice face and cony,r,ation became
q as serious as though he had entered
i church
He had great deal of wit, and he use'
. and abused it beyond measure in con
versations in the presence of Clara Den
ton. as though he we're making displa
of fireworks in her honor But on com
ing to her he was suddenly eXtinguished
= and was all submission and respect.
d Ev.rv woman who recei' e5 from su
> periur man such refined fattery as thi
does not necessarily love him, but doe
like him.
In the shadow of the perfect security
which Leland had placed her, Clara Den
ton could not but be pleased in the com
pany cf the most distinguished man SD
q had ever met. and who hat, like herself
the taste for art music and high culture
Thus these innocent relat ons with
e Young man whose reputation was rathe
eouiyocal could not hut awaken in tn
heart Of Clara sentiment, or rather a
S illusion. which the most prudish coal
not condemn.
= Tibeltines offer to vulgar women e.
d attraction which surprises, but VIII
snrinos from a very blamab'e curiosity
To Woman of society they offer another
e more noble vet not less dan erous-it
t,e attraction Of reforming them. 1t
d roro that yir.uous w0men do no! fall inl