The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1901-04-11

perfume Of roses and carnations.
Aunt Royal and Louise followed him
after Louise had said few words tc
her aunt. Aunt Royal was as excited
rs she ever allowed herself to be.
"Loulse tells me you object to her
marrying young Vasplaine." she said
confronting Stuart abruptly.
Stuart was surprised. He did not
think Louise would mention the matter
to her aunt. But Louise was thorough
ly angry, and small natures like hers
are never satisfied to wait long before
expressing resentment. 1t was very
natural thing for her to confide at once
in her aunt, being sure in this instance
Of her perfect sympathy.
"Yes, l do object" replied Stuart
firmly. He looked straight into his
aunt's face.
"On what grounds?"
"The character of the man." answer
ed Stuart quietly.
His character! Do you know that
the Vasplaines have held the very
highest position in the best society for
several generations? Has not young
Vasplaine been received everywhere in
society where you and Louise have
been?"
ut is possible that society may have
more regard for wealth and a family
name than for the little consideration
Of character and morals. have heard
sometimes that that is the case" said
Stuart, with sad smile.
"Why have you allowed the Vas.
PLANES to come into the house. then, If
they are such dreadful people?" asked
Louise as she sat in one of the deep
easy chairs, with her feet out toward
the fire.
Stuart did not reply. He was dis.
tracted by the events of the evening.
He realized that his home life was dis
turbed by the conflicting factors which
necessarily entered it with all his new.
er ideas and definitions of life. Moth.
ing could be more certain than the fact
that henceforth the lives of his sister
and Aunt Royal lay in directly oppo.
site ways from his. He felt the need.
less irritation Of the present discussion
and longed to escape from II.
Louise, however, had no intention of
letting Stuart 60 without suffering
from blow she knew so we'll how to
infict. Aunt, told Stuart he ought
not to object to my choice IL l didn't
object to his. I don't think, though
that we shall be disgraced by a Saliva
tion Army alliance in the family. Miss
Dwight was presented to Una and her
escort this evening, and by the appear.
ance Of her face 1t was easy to see she
thought them a very handsome cou.
pie"
Stuart clinched his hands tightly as
he stood with his back to the fire. The
old passion rose in him to its highest
point, and nothing but the grace of
God kept 1t from bursting out into a
torrent such as in the other days had
more than once terrified Louise, reck.
less as she was in provoking It.
There was deep silence In the
heavily perfumed room. Stuart drew
long breath. Then he looked fear.
lessly into Aunt Royals eyes, and
with a sudden movement he stood
close by his sister.
"LOuise." he said, and at first his
voice was calm, even loving, "you do
not know how you hurt me. l expect
to ask Miss Dwight to be my wife. but
l will never subject her to the humilia.
tion Of living under the roof of a house
where
He broke Off abruptly and went out
of the room. He felt unable to finish
calmly. Aunt Royal and Louise sat up
quite late talking over the whole mat
ter 1t Is not necessary to enter into 1t.
The whole situation was becoming un.
bearable so far as Stuart was concern
ed, so the two women agreed.
What II Stuart marries her and
brings her home here:" Aunt Royal
would say.
"Then l shall leave the house, but I
don't believe Rhena Dwight will ever
marry him." Louise would reply. And
there the matter rested for the time be-
ing. In the thought of the women.
The next morning Stuart did not ap
pear at breakfast. He left word that
he had very important business at the
office and could not wait for the late
meal to which Aunt Royal and Louise
were in the habit Of sitting down.
He had reached point in his feel
lngs where he felt the necessity of tell.
Ing Rhena all. What Louise had said
about that chance meeting at the hall |
disturbed him seriously. But the great |
question with him now was to know
the truth from Rhena herself.
He spent the forenoon at the office.
There was plenty to do. The fever and |
the want on the part of the miners
families were grim factors now In all !!
Champion. The other ranges were fast
feeling the effects of the double
Of sickness and suffering.
Scores Of the miners children were dy. |
Ing daily. To meet the emergency |
Stuart used his money lavishly. Ev.
erything In the way of medicines and |
supplies went out of the office |