davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1903-07-19

In dismay at this point or have de-
manded some explanation. But was
the hundredth girl. I told you was
wild. Candidly. the only idea that
whirled through my brain at the moment
was the Importance l should achieve in
the eyes OF my chosen girl friends at
home. when under the most solemn
promises OF secrecy, l would relate 70
them my strange adventure. Then. too.
at this period of my existence. my ac-
tions were more liable TO be guided by
the thrilling romances l read than by
any actual knowledge of the duties and
responsibilities of life.
Il was married TO Prof. Arden Grant
that night. Five minutes before the
ceremony had never even heard OF him :
nor did ! know his full name with Ger
tainty until he scrawled it in unsteady
characters In the register the clergyman
presented for his signature. | wrote
Mildred Farnham' in a big school girl
hand just beneath and legally was
Miss Farnham no longer.
You have made me very happy. MIL
dred,' Prof. Grant said. and there was
a smile Of perfect contentment-a smile
never meant for me-upon his wan face
as he said it. He held my hand Us
though he would never let 1t go, and
tried with dim eyes to look into my own.
For an instant he rested his head
against my arm as / knelt beside the
bed, then he lay back YEARLY upon the
their hold; but the smile was still upon
his face. I saw tears in the eyes of
Mr.. Howard The doctor sprang for
ward quickly. turned and shook his
head
He is dead he said very quietly.
Then the doors were thrown open.
I saw several people coming in from the
corridor, and there was much excite
ment
in the confusion that ensued rushed
away unnoticed, gained my room, hastily
flung on my hat and jacket. and was out
in the street in less time than It takes
to tell it: for with the doctors an
nouncement the full realization OF what
had done came upon me. was terri
bly, frightened, and began 10 imagine
the most fearful consequences OF my
rashness in marrying the dead stranger
Luckily, the town was of the familiar
variety where only the leading thor
oughfare deserves the name or street:
so 1 fed through the falling rain in the
direction Of the few family glimmering
lamps that 1 knew must be placed
where the most business was transacted
Il arrived at the hotel breathless,
wild-eyed. and thoroughly drenched
shortly after midnight to find my uncle
still up, comfortably smoking a cigar
and chatting with an old friend. not
seen FOR years. in the dingy hotel parlor
ITO my uncle's amazed inquiries as to
what had forced me out in the middle Of
The Washington times., 1903-07-19

a burden on anybody. I am going 20
look for work. and II / do not find ii
right away / must have means TO live
understand that It may take some time
to secure a settlement with my father.
In the meantime l may have to ask you
to advance me such amount as I will
actually require"
The little lawyer put his fingers to-
gether and half closed his eyes.
Left homer" he asked.
II intend to leave. Perhaps today"
Good reason?"
They want to select n husband for
me-"
"Ah. Infringing on another right.
eh? Perhaps they have already picked
him?"
YES"
Personally Objectionable? ?'
NO. But scarcely feel that know
him. He has been away. in California.
My father met him there and admired
him. Ny father has conducted all the
negotiations. You know how oId-fash-
ioned his ideas are regarding his house
hold. He thinks he has but 10 hold up
his hand and we will rush 10 obey him.
My mother agrees with him in all
things. l simply can't-at least not In
this"
And your father-I know him well
enough-has been giving the young man
to understand that he has but 10 hold
up his hand and you will hasten to be
his2'
I'm afraid so. My father sings his
praises on every possible occasion. He
has an excellent income. he is clever. he
is ambitious. he is good looking. Why.
] fancy he thinks we are engaged"
And you haven't seen fit to tell the
youngster bluntly that It can never be-"
Il really haven't had the chance. He
has given me no opportunity as yet
But everybody, seems to take It for
granted. and IL begin to feel as if
really hadn't any voice in the matter"
"A voice and its exerciseRis another
inherent right. my dear. that your sex
and especially yourself-musn't be de-
prived from exercising. And you haven't
tried to reconcile yourself to the idea?''
No. have been too Indignant to
think Of such a thing"
Somebody else. perhaps?"
Nobody else"
The little lawyer looked thoughtful.
DO you know the name OF this mala-
propos young man."
His name is George Raymond
George Raymond" he repeated. I've
heard the name before. Late OF Cali
fornia, eh? And now let me see-let
me see. 1t strikes me that the best
thing you could do would be to write
to this acknowledgement. I think you
said-a letter. Talk about a possible
misunderstanding and put all the blame
on your oflcious papa. If this Ray
mond is a gentleman he'll take It IN
the right way"
I'm sure he's a gentleman" said
the girl. And IL have written.
want TO show you the letter 1t was
very hard to write. VIII you please
look IL over?" And she handed him
the envelope with its inclosure.
The little lawyer adjusted his glasses
and peered solemnly at the written
sheet.
You write a nice hand, my dear" he
said as he looked up. and your com
mand OF language is excellent. | don't
think l would change word. It's
The Washington times., 1903-07-19

college walls Feeling neither tired nor
sleepy. the idea OF going to bed never
entered my mind at all
How much time l spent examining
the few engravings on the wall and the
odd geometrical designs in the dark
green carpet / do not know, but at
length my attention was arrested by a
series of light rRps upon a door at one
side of the room. Thinking at first that
I must be mistaken. l paid no heed to
the sound. but when the gentle tap-tap-
ping was repeated. started up. serious
thoughts of rushing down to the first
floor and informing some one in author
ity that the room was haunted fitting
through my mind.
Il was not easily frightened however,
and when a faint voice called from the
other side of the door. Who is there?' l
was instantly turned from this hasty
resolution
% 4 am a new pupil called through
the keyhole. and the same voice said:
They may hear you. Do not speak
so loud. Are you alone?'
"'All alone" I returned. delighted
with this mysterious mode of communi-
eating with one apparently in distress
OF mind. TO judge from her voice.
"' oh. please help me. whoever you
are, I am locked i'm They will not let
me outl I have tried everything.
What can 1 do?' 1 asked.
See IL you can unscrew the lock.
Try with knife. scissors. anything-only
trv.'
Il rushed to my small valise took
out the only thing of the kind / possess
ed. pearl-handled penknife. aud work
ed with a will at every screw until
had broken all the blades of the knife
and the handle as well. There was
nothing in TIE room that would answer
the purpose of screwdriver. and was
finally Obliged to announce cautiously to
the person on the other side of the big
heavy door that / could do nothing. At
this there came the sound of subdued
sobbing. mingled with the words. L shall
be too late. too late!'/ The sobs died
away gradually and all was still.
What mystery was here? Evidently
pupil was. for some reason. compelled
10 remain in her room. / was trying
to find a possible cause for such de-
tention. when distinct knocking. seem
ingly upon the door by which ! had en-
tered the room, came 20 my ears.
Il stepped into the hall at once Two
gentlemen were standing outside the
door OF No. 19, the room next to mine
One of them turned on seeing me, and
said:
" We are looking for Miss Farnham.
" am Mildred Farnham. told him
Il saw him look at the other man
with great surprise in his face; but he
came forward and shook hands with me
very cordially.
=" "A mistake in the number of the
The Washington times., 1903-07-19

room. Doctor he remarked 10 his com
panion. who nodded assent
We viii go down at once There
Is no time to be lost. the man who had
first spoken said to me- He was the
taller of the two, and l heard the other
gentleman call him Howard.
Without the slightest hesitation /
accompanied the strangers down the
two long flights OF stairs which / had
aseended only short time before. Those
men were teachers in the college. who
came 10 conduct me TO the president,
thought That was plain enough. I
knew IL was late. but that such a pro-
oeeding was unusual never entered my
he ad for a moment.
From the lower hall we entered a
long, winding corridor. at the farther
end of which was a massive carved door
Opening this. my conductors stood
aside and l found myself in a spacious.
richly furnished apartment, lighted by
single shaded lamp. The two men
came In after me. the tall man taking
the precaution to turn the key in the
heavy door. In the great gloomy room
the light given by the small lamp was
60 faint that I could not even see their
faces plainly.
Worderingly, / looked around me
half dazed by the strangeness of my
surroundings. At first I supposed that
we three were the only occupants of
the room. But further search diseov-
cred a. curtained bed in one of the far
corners, upon which a man was lying.
apparently in profound slumber; an
other, old. bent. with snowy white and
long. floating bear. kept watch beside
him
The tall man led me gently TO the
bed. Miss Farnham is here. Arden he
said. bending low ever the sleping man,
who instantly opened his eyes and look
ed. or tried 10 look. into my face. al
though in the dull light It was impossi-
bic for him to distinguish my features.
:" II is kind of you. Thomas he said
in weak voice. and I saw him grasp
the mans hand closely in his own wasted
one. Then he clasped mine in both OF
his. Mildred my Mildred he repeated
over and over; but his voice seemed so
weak that the effort was not an easy
one. apparently.
THE elderly watcher by the bed-a
clergyman. as his dress denoted-had
moved away at our approach. He and
the man Howard now held whispered
conversation for several minutes.
All the preliminaries have been at
tended to. Prof Grant, your cousin tells
me- the clergyman said coming forward
to the bed at the close OF the short con-
ference. You are ready?'
THE sick man bowed
Up TO this time all had been TO me
a complete mystery; now one thing was
perfectly clear. There was to be a mar
riage. Ninety mine girls would have fed
The Washington times., 1903-07-19

you that I was as wild and reckless as i
person could we'll be For this was not
wholly 10 blame My parents died when
was less than year old. and my uncle
could ne' er be brought to see that l
needed guidance Of any kind. As a child
all my saucy speeches and willful ways
simply amused him: when l grew older
he spoiled me completely by humoring
all my caprices and letting me have my
own way in everything.
when ! vas seventeen carried
things with such high hand and made
life so miserable for the constant sue
cession of governesses who were sup
posed TO be educating me that he re-
solved to place me at boarding school.
Pleased at the novelty that such a life
promised. l offered no objection. and my
uncle was soon in correspondence with
Prof Lippincott and DR.. Page, the re-
spective heads of the two most popular
colleges for young ladies I'm the State.
For no assignabIe reason, except that
one must OF necessity he chosen, pref
erence was given to Lippincott College.
so. some Eve or six days after this de-
cision was arrived at. my uncle and
found ourselves in the little village
where the school was situated
"Unluckily, our train was late. and it
was one of the darkest nights I ever
spent. To add to our discomfort. a cold.
light rain was beating down steadily and
the semi-darLness OF the waiting room
at the station gave one a particularly
dismal sensation. It appeared that we
were the only passengers TO leave the
train at the village. so we had the sorry
looking old omnibus that conveyed us to
the college all TO ourselves. Accustomed
as our driver no doubt was to the roads
we traversed. IL was impossible 70 make
much headway on such a night. hence
we reached the college at so late an
hour that. after telling the matron who
admitted us that he would call the next
morning to complete arrangements for
my admission, my uncle re-entered the
omnibus and was driven to the one hotel
in the place / saw none OF the college
authorities, but what seemed strange in
an institution OF learning, the sound of
mems voices. apparently in angry dis
pute. came from some apartment across
the hall.
Without delay. the matron conducted
me up two long flights of stairs to a
room on the third floor with the num-
Der 10 on the door.
You may stay here tonight she
told me: tomorrow we Will give you a
permanent room. 1 trust you will be
comfortable. Good night
Left alone. 1 removed my hat and
Jacket. then began looking around the
gloomy apartment with curiosity very
natural under the circumstances. as
then expected to remain two years. pos
sibly for longer period. within the
The Washington times., 1903-07-19

the night made some incoherent state
ment about their locking students in
the rooms. and that l was not going
back; that I wished to 90 10 the Page
Seminary instead.
Both men treated my explanation as
a huge joke but my uncle was alarmed
az my bedraggled appearance, and en-
gagged for me a warm room and the
services Of one of the women servants
ar once.
Next day a copy of the one weekly
newspaper published in the town fell
into my hands by accident. and read in
its columns that Prof Arden Grant, in
structor in ancient languages1n Lippin-
colt College. died the preceding night
after an illness Of several weeks. at he
age of twenty Then followed a
short sketch Of his life. which spoke Of
him as the only child OF the late Prot
Grant. who had been so prominent
among the founders of Lippincott Col
lege. To my immense relief. no men
tion was made Of the midnight marriage
The following day was installed as
pupil in Page Seminary. 200 miles
away.
AT this school I studied as 1 had
never studied in my life. l was no
longer thoughtless. giddy girl. but an
earnest, serious woman. doing my best
to forget my wretched secret. To no
one did : breathe a word OF the mid
night escapade. and had just begun to
feel that all danger was past. when one
evening l was summoned TO the parlo-
and confronted by grave looking. mid
dle-aged gentleman, who demanded my
presence in court, that 1 there acknow-
ledge myself to be the widow Of Arden
Grant, deceased. asked for time. tele-
graphed my dear. obliging uncle. who
came 70 me without delay, heard my
story, went into court. and established
my rights as wife Of the dead professor.
Then the mystery became clear. It
seems that Professor Grants father was
a very eccentric old gentleman. and had
made strange will. In event Of his
sons dying before his marriage. all the
large estate was to become the prop
erty Of Lippincott College: but should
he marry. then he was TO become pos
SCISSOR Of three -fourths Of the estate. the
remaining one-fourth to pass into the
possession Of his cousin, Thomas How
ard The marriage was really the re-
suit of the latter named gentleman's
eagerness 70 secure his share Of the
estate. although he knew also that his
cousin had expressed a wish TO be mar
ried should his illness at any time be-
come dangerous Those in authority at
the college knew that an engagement ex-
listed between Professor Grant and one
OF the pupils, Mildred Farnham by
name. and mindful of the interests of
the school, they took every precaution
to keep her away from him. and finally,
under the pretext that her presence in
The Washington times., 1903-07-19

a smile a flush. even a friendlier word.
And all this time his love deepened and
broadened. and became to him the one
great longing OF his life He wanted you
to know this. Miss Mary. He meant TO
tell you under happier conditions And
he wants you TO know. too. that he cannot
give you up. He asks you TO let him
start in anew. on a new plane where
there can be no possible misunderstand-
ing OF his motive. He asks that he may
see you from time to time. He wants
you 10 know him better. He wants an
equal chance TO WOO. and, please for
tune. win YOU"
His voice ceased. and presently the
girl looked UP. Across her pale face
flush was slowly stealing.
Would 1t be possible" she asked. sto
arrange brief meeting between your
client, Mr. Raymond. and MYSELF"
The 5unior partner arose
Il think So" he said. 4 believe Mr..
Raymond is somewhere on the prem
ises. and 1 have no doubt he would
be delighted"
he marched forward.
TO present our client. Mr.. Raymond"
The girl hesitated moment, and then
put out her slim hand
Il am pleased 10 meet you. Mr.. Raw
mond. she said. 4 have heard my
father mention you several times. II
you have no other engagement I would
be glad TO have you call at our home
this evening I am sure nv father
would be pleased TO welcome you
She laughed a little Historically at
this. and George Raymond laughed. and
then there was a gentle knock ar the
door, and Ichabod Chaplin stepped into
the room.
'Ah," he chuckled, arranged a com
promise, have you? IL takes junior part
ners TO look after this line OF practices.
Eh. Mary?'
And he smiiingly rubbed his wrinkled
hands together.
The Washington times., 1903-07-19
WITH NATURE.

What shall ] write. what shall ! say.
How put the golden heart OF day
With words into some fitting shrine?
How paint the sunlight with its shine
or golden glory on the leaves.
AS down It falls and with them weaves
A roof OF gold above my head.
While all the earth is garmented
with grass and many -cOlOred flowers.
And beauty fills this world OF ours?
Oh. words are weak and words are vain
To paint the wonders OF the plain.
The marvel Of the mounts and hills
The radiance that the sunlight spills.
The simmer OF the quivering leaves
Where the soft breeze forever weaves
Its whispered melodies. as though
A lutte were touched as onward go
Soft-footed winds with breath Of musk.
Perfuming daylight and the dusk.
I only know It's sweet to be
IN Gods world. full Of harmony.
or blessed beauty. shine OF sun.
or starlight, when the day is done,
And ali the wide and boundIess vast
Is on our wondering vision cast.
TO live a God-wreught entity,
Undying 70 forever be.
Growing throughout eternity,
Nearer 10 Gods inhnity.
ELIZA a. OTIS.
The Washington times., 1903-07-19

the letter OF lady 20 a gentleman, who
will, l trust, regard IL as a sacred docu-
ment. Well. that dlsposes of the young
ster. and now we have the old man
to consider"
81 fear he will never forgive me- said
the girl.
Il guess time will soften him all
right" said the little lawyer IF lie
cuts up bad you put on your hat-that
very pretty one. for instance-and come
straight to me. I'll go for him Just for
the pleasure there is in IT, Yes, and we
might as well get all our bearings about
that property now. But. hold on" He
hastily looked at his watch I'll have
to leave you now to my junior partner
Bright fellow. He'll grasp the merits OF
the case. Tell him the whole story
He's all right. You can trust him Just
as you would me. or course I'll be the
senior adviser. That's understood. He's
just about due"
But I didn't want TO talk to anybody
else?" expostulated the girl.
That's all right. Our time is a little
precious, you know. We like to advance
matters just as far as we can at each
call. I'll leave note for him in the
outer office. Don't move tn he comes"
And the little lawyer looked back from
the doorway from the private office.
Blu my letter." cried the girl
'T'll see that he gets it," said the law
yer, and he was gone.
, But he was almost instantly back
again.
Talk freely with the junior. my
dear. he said. and was gone again.
The girl looked after him as il she
longed TO follow. The turn affairs had
taken did not suit her. She disliked to
have the old lawyer treat her interests
as he would ordinary business matters.
What a dear old man he was And how
harmless his shafts of sarcasm when
you realized that they were all blunted.
But, no. she couldn't bring herself to
talk TO stranger. She would plead a
suddenly remembered engagement and
promise 10 call again. Perhaps she
could leave word with the stenographer
In the outer room. And then. just as
she was about TO leave. man entered
young man with a brisk air and very
bright eyes. As the girl caught his
glance he paused at the doorway
"Why-why. it's Mr. Raymond" she
faltered. and her face suddenly flushed.
The Washington times., 1903-07-19

Pray be seated said the young man
with bow, and he indicated a chair He
seated himself a little distance away.
MY partner" he said. has briefly
outlined your case TO me. Let ne ask
you to strengthen It in several neces-
sary particulars"
Your partner" murmured the girl.
Yes. l became the junior member OF
the firm yesterday. believe Mr.. Cha
pin assured you that you could talk with
me IN entire confidence
Yes murmured the girl He did
She felt like laughing. and she felt
like crying. too. II seemed so absurd.
And how ridiculously grave he was.
Perhaps before we go any further. f"
said the Young man. "it might be we'll
to have 1t understood that while Mr.
George Raymond is also our client we
VIII do our very best to prevent any
clashing Of mutual interests"
The girl started a him.
Did I understand you TO say that Mr..
George Raymond is your client?"
''He is the client Of the firm and has
done US the honor to ask our advice in
a somewhat delicate matter It is pos
sible that you may have knowledge OF
the nature OF this subject" ."
1T is possible" said that girl. Was he
in earnest? Could IL be a fact that he
was really talking about himself? And
in such a calm and matter of fact man
ner. as II the other George Raymond
was quite different personality.
The junior partner bowed. His bust
ness air was in strong contrast 10 his
social manner. And the girl began to
appreciate the truth of the remark she
had made TO the old lawyer that she
scarcely knew the young man. It was
an air OF dignity that sat well upon him.
And there was a peculiarly intense di-
rectness i'm his glance. The girl began
to feel a little like a witness on the
stand.
In this connection" the Junior part
ner proceeded. permit me TO call your
attention 20 the fact that our client, Mr..
George Raymond, is in receipt OF let
ter that we think should be enumerated
among the documents in the case" A
vivid blush overspread the girls face.
and the young lawyer turned his gaze
away for a little time "Our client de-
sires us 10 say TO you, Miss Barkwen
that the letter in question opens his
eyes to n state OF affairs of which he
had no possible knowledge and he is
much distressed. He asks us TO assure
you that he did not know that he was
on a false footing in this affair. and he
earnestly alleges that you are quite
mistaken IL you think he was led on or
encouraged by outside influence. or
through prejudiced ideas. He admits
that he stands we'll with your father.
and the latter has on numerous occa-
sions shown him marks OF favor. giving
him to understand that he was always
welcome al his home, and even urging
him TO partake OF his hospitality. But
our client. on his honor as a gentleman
claimsNthat he perceived no ulterior mo-
tive in these acts Of kindness. And he
assures us that had he understood that
he was being hidden TO his friends
house for the purpose limited at in the
letter TO which allusion has Just heen
made. he would at once have ceased his
visits. at least until satisfied that the
lady was pleased by his coming
The junior partner did not look at the
girl during this little speech, and the