Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1900-08-23
LOVE CONQUERED. ;

pretty girl. Not pretty with the un-
meaning prettiness of glossy curls, sea-
blue eyes and straight, Greek features,
but with the beauty of soul and mind,
and rich womanly temperament-and
at II Alice had promised her.
self in merriage to Oscar Wayne.
'My dear, you might have done bet
ter, l think" said Mrs. Ellingham,
portly matron, who had herself been
a beauty in her day, and was, in every
meaning Of the word, woman of the
world
GLOW, mammal" said Alice, simply.
"For you know l love him.
''Love." said Mrs. Ellingham, half
scornfully. That's a word that will
do very well for poets and romancers.
l don't believe in it myself. l didn't
marry for love!'
mo, mamma" said Alice, mischiev
ously, you married for money; and
when poor papa speculated in those
horrid Western lands you lost it all,
and We're compelled to drag out the
rest of your married life without either
tove or money to console you. | have
neard you tell the story many time
Mrs. Ellingham bit her lip and famed
herself violently.
'That was because Mr.. Ellingham
was too much of fanatic to take my
advice about the investments" she
said, tartly. "But it has nothing to do
with the matter at present under dis
cussion. You have engaged yourself
to Oscar Wayne, who calls himself an
artist. An artist, indeed-he had
better say genteel beggar. For what
are artists nowadays but staryelings?
And he has gone out to the Territories
to sketch scenery for pictures that no
one will buy after they are painted
and here, in his absence, comes Mr..
Fenwick Fontaine. the richest catch of
the season, and lays his hand and his
heart at your feet. Why, Alice, you are
the luckiest girl l ever saw
"Of course his hand and his heart
can be nothing to me-" said Alice, look
Ing down at the plain gold engagement
ring that shone on the forefinger of
her left hand. "For love Oscar"
Mrs Ellingham lay back among her
cushions with deep and ostentatious
sigh.
"Alas Alicc"' she uttered. plain
so selfish"
Selfish, mammal
"Don't you see that you are blight
ing my future as well as your own?
Don't you know that l have always
looked forward to my daughters mar
riage as means of establishing myself
in the ease and luxury which are
almost a necessity to my declining
years."
"Dear mamma" pleaded Alice. with
a troubled light in her sapphireblue
eyes and color coming and going
family on her cheek, that is easily
settled. Your home must be with
Oscar and me-"
Mrs. Ellingham loftily shook her
head
'On a crust day and third floor
in some wretched tenement-house," "
enunciated she. "Never!'
'Yes. but mamma"
Mrs. Ellingham lifted her smooth.
white hand as if to ward off Alice S
words.
"My dear, we will not discuss the
subject, If you please. l am quite
willing to allow you time to reflect up
on this momentous question. | have
told Mr. Fontaine that you will give
him an answer at the end of the week.
Until then pray allow my tired brain
and overworked nerves To rest
And Alice went away to her own
room, secretly avowing constancy to
her absent lover.
''Dear Oscar" she murmured. softly
kissing the engagement ring which his
hand had placed upon her finger; las
If | could ever be untrue to YOU. Not
all the gold in the world could tempt
me"
But when the evening mail came In
and brought no letter from Oscar
Alice did feel Il little lonely and be.
wildered.
'It will surely come tomorrow,
She said to herself
But the morrow arrived, and
brought no letter.
.'It's very strange" said Alice. wit
tears in her eyes. Gle never failed
before"
mo more than I expected, my dear.
said Mrs. Ellingham. IL shoudn
DE mt all surprised II he had faller
In love with some young woman GU
there and settled down for life. In
fold art IL hpttpr aDnreciated I'm thi
west than II Is here"
Alice bit her llp-but she did no
speak. Such bitter words We're bet
ter left unanswered.
Mr., Fontaine came at about nool
90 take the ladies out driving. Alice
first impulse WAS to decline. but sh
remembered that her mother wa
fond Of carriage exercise, and la,