The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-02-09

been made to please her. But--now he
was a pauper. He had no home to take
her TO. nothing to support her on. lie
had always held I'm supreme contempt
the man who was willing to marry
woman and involve her in the distress
and privation OF an uncertain or even
an inadequate income. He had just
done that despicable thing himself. not
purposely. but ignorantly, rashly, irrev-
ocably.
Pure. upright and honest TO the core
himself he never entertained single
doubt OF his guardians rectitude. His
riches were not the first that had ever
taken wings unto themselves. Doubt
less property had deteriorated and
stocks had gone down and investments
had proved disastrous. The man whom
has father had loved and trusted as
brother must be good and true. To re-
f1ect on his guardians management was
TO reflect on his fathers judgment. He
was incapable OF doing either.
He would not answer this letter i'm
nediately.
He wanted to be perfectly calm and
entirely just when he did so. II would
take him few days to pull himself
together. The point of view had been
altered for him with such violent sud-
S1enness that 1t left him duivering and
bewiidered, with sense of irreparable
loss weighing him down.
After a little while two more letters
crossed each other on the high seas. This
time one was from Tom to his guardian.
The other was from Olivia to Tom.
Said the first:
NV Dear Mr.. Mathews--To say that
did not experience a severe shock on
reading your letter, by which learn that
what between an expensive education
and unfortunate investments l am left to
begin life as a poor man when had fam
cied myself wealthy one, would be un-
true. I was quite unable to think or act
intelIigently for several days after read
ing your letter. To fall from the top of a
ladder to the hard ground 10 jarring to
fellows nerves.
do not believe am a very luxurious
chap-at least i hope j am not-but,
thanks 60 my dear fathers fostering ten
derness, things have always gone so
smoothly for me that / suppose L began
20 think was to sail I'm placid waters
until reached port finally.
The plain exposition contained in your
letter has annihilated all expectations OF
that sort forever. / am not dismayed at
the prospect OF having, to go TO work. In
fact. ! had planned to buckle down to
hard work as soon as got through with
my studies. IL seems now that my virtu-
Gus plans have turned into stern necessi-
ties.
Whatever is ahead OF me, sir, hope
will be able 10 meet Il as my fathers
son should. The office of guardian must
be at best an arduous and thankless one.
You have now had entire control OF my
Affairs for seven years, during which time
have never given them a thought. II
" was enough for me 10 know that my
father loved and trusted the man he had
se,ected for my guardian. Doubtless my
majority will come TO you as n great re-
lief
thank YOU for your invitation 10 bs
your guest while examining the mass OF
paper that must have accumulated on
your hands. The invitation I must de
cline. tHe was thinking OF OLIVIA and OF
the impossibllity Of his staying under IN,
same roof with her now) Doubtless
can put up somewhere in Vaudeville fol
the few days which I must devote I,
getting a better understanding Of my AZ
falrs. OF course presume that In justic'
20 you all those papers Will have TO b.
rome over.
up 20 the time OF writing this letter
confess 20 feeling 20 stunned that / cal
hardly yet grasp the fact OF my partner
ship. will be with you as soon as pos
oibls after reaching America and vii
then relieve you of all further care Of m'
tangled affairs.
Jnmixcd satisfaction was scarcely tn
uppcrmosf sensation I'm Horace Matthews
soul a. he read this manly letter. Th'
look Of perpiexity that had become habit
usl with him deepened into settled gloom
Said the other letter;
~ Dear Thom8s-Wby did you writ
~ that silly. useless letter. I told yov
Doforo yor went away from here that