Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1896-08-27

y e
common alta h
ment between us, and she always took |
me with her when she spent the season |
lat Washington or among the mount |
aims, or at the seaside, when l could |
not have gone but for her affectionate |
Kindness.
This summer Esther had declared
herself tired and sick of crowds and
balls and flattery, and proposed to go
to Mrs, Thornby's in the country. Fred
had studied his profession in New York
and was going into partnership with
an eminent lawyer there. We had seen
him great deal. His mother lived in
q small house and possessed much
landed estate, and where she had often
urged us to visit her.
And this Is the way 1t happened
that we were at Thornby cottage yawn-
Ing the day away, with an occasional
walk or ride or excursion. The glor-
ious Fourth had been celebrated in the
village Of Belleville by picnic In the
grove, sweetmeats, India crackers,
( white muslin, and famous swing,
that closed respectfully with q grand
ball in the evening at the town hall,
which had been adorned for the oc-
casion with a wonderful embellish-
ment of banners and flowers. We
really enjoyed 1t, for that evening, at
least, had enjoyed the society Of Web
ster Hamilton.
He was polished, educated and re-
fined, and though he was somewhat
wanting in the fulsome flattery Of our
city courtiers he possessed dignity of
mien and expression Of candid truth
that made his attentions more pleasing
than all the hackneyed compliments Of
Saratoga ballroom. can acknowl-
edge now that was fairly caught and
captivated by his grace and manliness
that night, but I did not forget the
social bar between us, and so neglected
to ask him to call. Fred chided me
for 1t, said I must learn country man
ners, and soon invited him to spend the
evening. / was needlessly frigid and
impolite; refused to sing or play, and
pleaded a headache as an excuse for
refusing game Of backgammon. But
Esther quite atoned for my GOODNESS by
her sparkling cordially. She made un-
usual efforts to be winning and agree
able, while the young mechanic as
sumed an air at once so easy and polite,
80 free from mauvaise honte, so much
upon the footing of equality, that 1t
was to me absolutely intolerable, and
I retired before he left He had called
twice since, and was obviously in love
with Esther and Esther with him. 1t
was all we'll enough perhaps for a
summer Irritation, but Esther never
airted. Would she marry him? The
Idea was preposterous! made up my
mind to interest Fred in the matter,
and devise some way to save her from
such fearful fate. My first attempt
was unsuccessful.
Next evening Esther and Hamilton
went to ride on horseback The af-
fair was really becoming serious and
when mentioned the subject to Fred
he was more attentive.
"It is really too bad, Fred, for us to
suffer things to go on in this way with
out at least making an effort to break
the spell he has thrown around her
OF course, 1t Is only strange infat.
uation which she will shudder at wher
she is once free from his power"
"You may be right, Eftle"-my name
is Fife Morse-"how blind have been
In oth Vutl h WI
her own way, you know, especially i
she thinks anyone wishes to oppose her
What would you do? Women are 81
shrewd In such matters"
"I don't know, I'm sure. How would
little well-directed sarcasm do?"
ooh, have it now! Suppose yol
cut her out-make 1t appear as though
Hamilton was suddenly taken with yol
Undetermined, you know. That woult
piuue her vanity so that she woult
treat him accordingly. She can't bea
neglect"
Nonsense, Fred, you know tina
couldn't be done, as long as Esther
J worth half a million, and beautiful a
a dream, and l am poor, plain and dis
agreeable, unless you could make hin
think am the heiress-no, he is n
such fellow. That wouldn't do"
ooh, Of course, don't suppose 20
could really turn Hamilton's affection
from Esther to you, but we could ma
neuver a little to have you walk an
ride together, and though would b
the real general, we could make 1t az
pear to be his preference. A few hint
from me to Esther upon his sudde
change would make 1t all right. Tha
would be glorious. You keep quiet, an
I will take charge of Esther. You ca
afford to be agreeable to the fellow fC
while; If he really falls in love wit
you, no matter. He deserves some pur
ishment for his presumption"
had some misgivings about trustin
myself within the influence of his vile
but as he was by no means disagree
able companion, finally consented fc
Esther's sake.
Fred and l had several secret SCI
slons on the piazza and our tactics wei
soon arranged. An excursion WI
planned to visit Fort Knox, ten milt
distant, and Hamilton was invited. Il
drove up his own horse and chaise-
wondered how he could afford to hill