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

some very fine tropical flowers in
blossom in the conservatory. And l
thought Mrs. Ellingham might per-
haps honor me by by partaking OF
little lunch after the drive"
Fontaine Abbey was a fine old place,
built in the style of stately medieval
castle, with grounds that sloped to a
serene, silver river, acres of conserva-
tories, picture gallery and noble
entrance hall, where knights in armor
kept mailed guard. The carpets
We're Persian-the tables of Florentine
mosaic-the lunch table marvel or
Serves china. gold plate and import
ed luXuries.
Mr.. Fontaine played the accom-
plished host to perfectiorl-and Mrs.
Ellingham's eyes sparkled at the
effect which all this luxury and re-
finenent were evidently producing
upon the susceptible nature of her
daughter.
"Oh,!" she sighed, scarcely audible.
when Mr. Fontaine had left them for
a moment, "what bliss it would be to
end my days in place like Fontaine
Abbey"
Alice said nothing. but there was a
far-off absent look in her eyes, a
strained, set compression to her lips.
'Well, why not?" she asked herself.
"Since Oscar has forgotten newly
notY'
The week rolled to it's close. still
without any token or sign that her
far-off lover remembered her very eX-
istence-and when Fenwick Fontaine
proposed formally to her. Alice Elling-
ham answered YES"
my darling. my own noble-natured
child" said Mrs. Ellingham, folding
Alice close to her heart. and never
noticing how pale and cold her lips
were, how listless the droop of her
head.
Il have sacrificed myself"' Alice
kept repeating to herself, ''but how
shall l ever endure the life that lies
before me-"
For three days she lived through
the new existence-a pale. passive
statue-at their close she took off the
great diamond solitaire, clear and
lmpid as monster drop of dew.
that her new financee had placed on
her finger and gave it back to him.
Il cannot marry you!" she said, II
cannot belle my own nature; would
rather live in a garret, and die an old
maid than marry you while my heart
is all anothers."
SO the brilliant engagement, which
had already become the talk of the
town, was broken off, and Mrs. ELL
ingham, deeply offended, vowed that
Alice might turn Seamstress, school
teacher or salesgirl, for all of her.
Il wash my hands of you, migrate
full, undutiful girl!' she cried,
through torrents of angry tears.
Mamma. love Oscar" was all that
Alice would answer.
She was sitting alone in the twilight
that evening. crying a little by whiles.
but yet happier, far, than when she
was the bethrothed bride of the
millionaire, when footstep sounded
on the threshold. and, turning. she
beheld-Oscar Wayne!
Oscar she cried out. Historically,
"Oh, Oscar my darling, thought you
had forgotten me-
Il meant to give you surprise.
Alice" he said. gayly. "For l have
come home for good. Listen, dearest,
it's like fairy tale. have made no
sketches at all. My time has been en-
tirely occupied in nursing poor. in
firm old man, who was my fellow
passenger across the plains, and died,
with his head on my arm. half way be-
tween two cities. And, Alice, that
lonely, unfrienly old man proved to
be immensely rich, and took the
strange fancy to leave me all his
wealth. l need paint no more pie
lures now, except for my own gratiti-
cation. We can be married at once,
dear, thanks to old Malcolm MUIR
doch."
And then Alice told him all-how
nearly she had yielded to the terrible
temptation of MammOn and the
world-how she had been true to her
self and him at the last.
The next week, when financial cir
| cles were ringing with the failure and
| decampment of Fenwick Fontaine
| the millionaire. Mrs. Ellingham was
| forced to confess that Alice's simple
| heart wisdom was superior to her
own worldly policy. She was quite
satisfied-she had a rich son-in-law
after all. And that was what she
wanted.-New York News.