The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1897-07-15

and faithful love.
The man, Rodney Kirke, was fine
looking young fellow of twenty eight,
who had been from infancy the ward
and darling of his uncle, James Kirke,
believing himself always to be the GER
tain heir of that gentleman and ever
MS dutiful nephew from true, earnest
love and gratitude His life had been
Swallowed one, having little bright
ness, for his uncle for thirty years had
been an invald-sometimes we'll
enough to move about in his own ex-
tensive grounds, but often, for months
together, confined to his room and bed,
suffering intensely.
When Rodney left school and would
nave studied a profession or entered
upon some business career, his uncle
Kept him bound to his chair, letting all
the management of his large estate fall
gradually into his hands, and taking
infinite comfort from his gentle care
when he was suffering.
1t was strange, gray life for youth,
and Rodney fretted sometimes at merg-
ing his own existence into that Of the
s
used at such times was a powerful
one.
When | die this whole property will
be yours, and you must care for it and
control it. 1t will never be necessary
for you to undertake any other bust
ness"
fAe was content, therefore, to let his
life narrow to the limits his uncle die
tated, until, about two years before the
GATE when this story opens, Mr.. Kirke
being ordered to the seaside there met
Mrs. Olney, q widow with one son very
nearly Rodney's age. Looking back.
1T was all like whirling dream to the
young man to recall how the handsome
WIDOW took possession of his uncle.
hattered him, petted him, coaxed him
and married him.
me return to Ferndale, James
hlrke's home was a wedding trip, and
from that hour every effort was made
by the bride to thrust Rodney out Of
his place in his uncle's heart and
home. Misrepresentation were made
at first in vain; afterward with more
effect. Keeping him out Of his uncle's
room, Mrs. Kirke made the old GENTLE
man believe his absence was from VOL
untary neglect. At last a TANGIBLE
cause OF complaint was found, when
Rodney, lonely and miserable. fell in
love with Bella Green, whose father
horror of horrors! kept a small drink
ing saloon, and whose mother was yul-
garlty personified. The girl herself
had been educated in a good seminary
ana came home to find all her sur
roundings revolving to a delicate, SEN
sltlVe nature, refined by study and as
soclatlons with companions above her
IN the social SCALE
She was wonderfully pretty, consid-
erlng what her parents were and
Rodney's deepest sympathies were
reused by her miserable home life
That he met her in the shadv lanes
and woods was from no desire for CON-
<ceaiment, but simply because her home
was so noisy, ill-ordered and vulgar
that there was no place for quiet or
conversation.
The story of this Glow association"
was SO told to James Kirke that he
was furious with anger, and this add
ed to the other sins attributed n Rod-
ney, so reused him that the voune man
had put before him the choice of Civ
ing up his love at once and forever or
leaving his home. All the chiyalry If
sensitive heart, which a life of seclu
sion had made still more romantic. was
aroused, and Rodney refused obedience
to his uncle for the first time.
And so, under the great tree in Sam
Green's garden, he was taking leave Of
the glrl Tor whose sake he was leaving
luxury and hope, to face world whose
bitterness he had never tasted.
You will be true to me, Bella ?" he
said, as he pressed a final kiss unon
her tear-stained face.
Il will wait for you if it is for twen
ty years" she said, clinging to him.
And, keeping that promise for COM
fort, Rodney Kirke left Ferndale to trv
to find employment in L., a large
manufacturing town ten miles distant
where his uncle owned property. And
every face that had smiled upon him
for years was turned away; everv door
that had opened to him was closed
His uncle's influence, welded by his
wife, kept him from even the lowest
position, and he suffered from nositiuo
hunger more than once in the fret
three months of his exile. The hi++or
regrets for the easy obedience IN his
uncle which had made him neglect oil
preparation for life of self-support
were unavailing, and there came a
winter night when he stood in tho
streets, homeless and penniless and
battling the temptation to defy even
his Creator by suicide.
Suddenly he reused himself from
such bitter reverie and walked rapid
1y until he reached handsome house
where tin sign announced to all COM
ers that Or. Bedlowe" lived within
He was in his office when Rodney
Kirke entered, and rose at once to give
him most cordial greeting. =
''You give me courage for asking .