Evening journal., 1905-02-18
A Man of Promise
rorsrInal.l

eral rag IN term time, tencner ID va
cation. This was essential to his edu-
cation. When Barnica finished at
school and went home Willman was
struggling 10 a law school in much the
same fashion be bad pulled himself
through college.
Bernice was a more high bred girl
than the other girls In her town. She
would have passed In social life any
where. On her return she learned that
a young curate. Tracy Bond, had
come to the village during her alb
Bence. an intellectual young fellow and
very agreeable. He had, however,
been brought up in the most aristo-
cratic circles in the land and did not
appear to take much interest IN the
girls Of his parish. Bernice was in
formed by her friends that she must
not be disappointed IL he failed to no
tice her. But when she and Rev.
Mr.. Bond met he not only noticed
her, but devoted himself to her. The
result was a love affair, and in time
Bond called on Mrs. Doane to ask for
her daughters hand.
n
tical woman. During the call she sat
quietly knitting. chatting the while
with her visitor, gradually getting at
the bottom Of the young mans ability
10 make a wife comfortable and taking
his measure without his In the least
suspecting it.
my income at present" said the rev
Grand cyaufIarr,ov, NTH cfroco -, fha tiot
present" ''is a mere six hundred a
year, but have a strong friend In the
bishop, and the Bond family is by no
means disposed to see one OF its mem
bers left in the lurch. Our family,
which I may truthfully assure you is
one Of the Oldest in our state, has
Eyes, yes" interrupted Mrs. Doane, IT
have heard Of the standing OF your
family. Has 1t sufficient means to keep
up a style Of living commensurate with
its honorable nameT
"oh, yes" replied the young man.
''My father, it is true, has not attained
the success he deserves, but my Uncle
Edward is now engaged in putting a
copper mine on a paying basis and is
just on the eve OF success"
And will share his profits with you,
I suppose?" asked the lady dryly.
"Uncle has always been very fond Of
me-" replied the curate uneasily, ''but
Of course since be has eight children
don't count on funds from him. But
am sure Of his influence. I am rather
looking to preferment in my profession
and the sale of some western lands
taken by my grandfather for a debt
Bernice is a noble girl and is fitted to
take the position l have IN view for
her. / do not intend that she shall be
put to the necessity of doing menial
work. My wife shall never go into the
kitchen. My family would cut me II
allowed such a thing. am quite sure
1t will stand by me In my marriage
and will be able to make my path and
Bernice's a smooth one"
This ended the interview. and Rev.
Mr.. Bond departed. feeling that he had
silenced any doubts Mrs. Doane might
have had as TO the expediency OF trust
ing her daught9 to one Of the old and
tried Bond family.
When Mrs. Doane was alone Bernice
Joined her, holding in her hand let
ter from Niles willman, which she
gave to her mother TO read. It was a
reminder OF a youthful promise she had
given him, but releasing her II she wish
ed to be released. since she was now
woman Of an age to make her future.
while he still had years Of ploddlng
ahead. with no one but himself to help
him. Mrs. Doane handed back the let
ter.
miles is doing something" she said.
land promising nothing. while Mr..
Bond is doing nothing and living in a
roseate world Of expectation that some
one will do something for him. You
must make your own decision, my
daughter. / know that no one can
successfully interfere with a girl fol-
lowing the dictates Of her heart, but
If were you 1 would decline Bond
and accept Niles Willman."
1t was a bitter struggle, but Bernice
inherited the practical nature Of her
mother and rejected the curate and in
time married the lawyer.
Rev. Mr.. Bond before he left the
parish became engaged to one of Ber-
nice's friends. Bernice was a bit shak-
en- when she thought of the handsome
curate in his canonicals led to the al
tar by another. But she tided over her
emotions and in time forgot all but her
happiness as the wife OF a young law
yer, full of pluck and resource, rapidly
making his way into lucrative bust
ness.
Ten years after Bernice's marriage
and about as many after the marriage
Of Rev. Mr.. Bond, Mrs. Whitman and
her mother, being In the city where
Bond and his wife were settled, thought
1t good opportunity to call on them.
The doorbell was answered by Mrs.
Bond. whose drawn features indicated
that she had not found life as roseate
as Mr.. Bond had promised Mrs. Doane
his wifes life should be. Half a dozen
children came trooping after their
mother, she evidently being nurse and
housemaid. During the visit the hus-
band called out In a querulous tone
from his study;
'Nan, why don't you bring me up
cup OF tea, as told youT"
Mrs. Bond sighed, excused herself.
went out to the kitchen and carried a
cup Of tea to the man who had de-