The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-11-14

to be swallowed UP or enveloped
In the obscurity surrounding the
bank defaulter, Ashley. Grovedale,
meanwhile, was busylng itself, as
small active villages are apt to do,
over q scandal of it's own. And Con-
stance was the subject of 1T. Strange
that the high bred, reserved woman
should give cause of it; but she did.
For her infatuation for the illiterate
workman, known as Primus Edes,
was only too evident to any one VINO
chose to investigate the matter
Not that it was considered that she
had been guilty of the least impru-
dent or reprehensible conduct. Even
her worst detractors did not say that.
But for a cultured, beautiful woman
In the higher walks OF life, whose
husband was not known to be dead,
even tho she had ordered monument
to,.he erected to his memory. who had
seemed to love that husband deeply
for such a woman to care for such
q man as Primus Edes of doubtful
origin, If not of doubtful character,
illiterate to a degree, and not par
enough to set the feminine tongues OF
Grovedale running, to ay'nothing of
masculine gossips, quite as nimble In
the social conclaves about the black
smiths forge or the grocery stores.
The object Is always the last to be
u
happy enough without this knowl-
edge. 1t was Notifying, humiliating,
to her proud heart to feel 1t strug-
Cling In letters she despised, or ought
to despise. y
She had not meant to succumb to
the strange fascination that Primus
Edes from the first seemed to impress
upon her faculties by his fancied re-
semblance to her husband. 1t had
grown insensibly, and after he
brought her boy back to her and ten
derby carried him home, she felt that
gratitude could not be withheld any
longer. She had been kind to him,
and he, knowing her gift of the dress
ing gown, at least, ventured to show
how deeply he appreciated it.
He was never intrusive; indeed, it
was Constance herself who talked
most, who was most to blame, 1t was
said. Singularly silent and retiring,
he said very little; but that little was
freighted with passionate devotion, as
she could see. Unwittingly, perhaps,
he had taken the very means neces-
sary to win her thoughts. She was of
a romantic, poetical temperament,
and a respectful silent devotion was
not displeasing in one who looked SO
like her husband. His intense gaze in
church, his solitary watch of her
house, his search for her child, and
his thoughtfulness in relieving her OF
his burden when not even her uncle
had thought of it, charged her heart
with many houghts--thoughts which
would have flown instantly had his
manner been intrusive.
He seemed rather to avoid her, she
thought, and she reasoned it would dc
no harm to be kind to him. So when
ever she went to Mrs. Frys. OF
Glanced to encounter him elsewhere
she would invariably say few words
in gentle, gracious way that to him
seemed divine
She was musician of more than
ordinary gifts, and when she CHANGED
to hear him playing one evening in his
room while she sat talking below
with Mrs Fry, she was charmed into
forgetfulness of her errand by the
rare melody.
Why, did not know he could play
like that she said, as the wonderful
strains ceased-strains which seemed
to- be drawn from the intense passion
ate nature Of the performer, rather
than the violin itself; for it was as
an interpreter of soul-wrought emo.
tons, of an enwrapt mood, that he
played, rather than set music or ack.
11eyed chords.
Yes, an it's only lately he's took
itsup," said Mrs. Fry; 80 he says"
ri us it possible" said Constance.
AS she took her way homewart
over the crisp snow, for it was winter
now, the passionate strains followed
and she knew that he must have
opened his window so that she Nigh
hear him.
Strange, inexplicable mani Would
he have left her as Vane did with
those mysterious Journeys all unex
planned? All! but to doubt her hus
band now with the clods of suspicion
yya Chtircr him down uyith lot 40,
clouding his sainted memory She
his wife; and to give her thoughts
any Of them, to another man,-she
Constance Hamilton, hitherto prout
OF her own virtue and rectitude, and
like one of Tennyson's fair women
proud Of her pride!
Down on her knees went Constanc,
at the thought, and she prayed fer
yently to be set right, to have take1
from her all that interfered with he,
husbands memory! But even Will,
she prayed, sweet strains seemed t.
inportune her to listen, and the sad
haunting eyes Of Primus Edes to b,
looking into her very soul.
So matters progressed; but no wore
was spoken between them that tn,
world might not have heard, tho tn,
undercurrent of intense feeling ran al
wildly as ever beneath the gentle man
l1er of Constance and the reserve O.
Mrs. Fry's boarder, who went dali,
to the mill and fulfilled his allotted
task of manual labor with scrupulou
fidelity.
The facts Of Mrs. Harnilton's pres
ents to him had just become known il
the neighborhood, and even reached
to the ears Of Rev. Arthur Hammerly
who had lately been venturing to spec
uIate how soon he might approach
Mrs. Hamilton with some little atten
Stion whose gentle office it might b.
to fix her regard upon himself.
From his window he could look int
the marble yard where a monumen
was being finished and once, with ;
satisfaction Of which he was ashamed
he had taken a field glass and reas
the inscription growing on the mar
BILE under the workman's chisel, Van,
Ha-. SO far it had progressed.
The wife believed him dead Why
then, might not he indulge a hope
And that day the minister plunged
into study with a vigor that surprised
himself. His sermon next Sabbath
must be of exceptional fervor an,
depth. She should feel this new hon,
in his breast lifting it to new height
and aspirations of heavenly bliss
Those uplifted orbs Of hers wer
ever before him that day.
But the next day he heard Of tn,
strange infatuation said to exist In tn,
mind of Mrs. Hamilton for humbl,
workman at her uncle's mill Mr.
Hammerly remembered him. A dark
sallaw-faced man with brown hal
and beard Of reddish-brown, but wifi
eyes of a strange brilliance and beau
& ty. Evidently man of downcast
brooding habit, quiet and orderly q
seem, to attract the regard Of a WON
7, like Constance Hamilton,