The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-01-14
NEW BOOKS.
Lady Century's Mother.

money at the age Of l5 Old Mr.. Payne
had thought to csjole her. He had pur'
posed 10 make her his without observing
The legalities and the decent conventions
His own kind heart made It possible for hel
10 divert him from an ungenerous purpose
She said to him quite plainly; i do moi
object to living with you, sir, but 1t must
be as your wife No other arrangement
will suit me-
There was some debate upon the point
In the course Of which no slowly yielded.
Toward the last the facts were az follows.
old Mr.. Payne speaks;
Kiss me-
She hesitated a moment, then she kissed
him.
Cad. that Was sweet Put your arms
around my neck now
she looked deep into his eyes, then she
put her arms around his neck.
Century, girl, I'm going to marry you.
Ican't give you up a fter that kiss and hug
Century put both arms around his neck
and kissed him Voluntarily
It will be observed that she also was
called Century. The name had been In the
family for generations. This marriage
enabled her to become great singer COM
fortably. Later there came into her life
the disturbing experience that the French
call the large passion. The story sets
these things forth with admirable concise
ness We read
Tom Payne married her, and she made
her way to the top Of the profession. He
was proud OF her and very happy with her;
and when he died, four years later, he left
her all his money. Century was now
very rich woman. but she did not leave the
stage. For two years she lived for her art
only-and then she met Rufus Nichols,
the leading tenor. One look into the allur-
ing black eyes, and she gave rein to the ir-
restible ardor till now dormant within her.
Rufus at first scarce noted her pre- sence,
but when. in the course of an emotional
play. he approached her in the character of a
lover, IL was as fire to fire. He loved her as
rnadly as she loved him.
Alasl that circumstances should have
prevented this passion from being quito
beautiful. Nothing but misery says the
story, could result from such love. Ru-
tus Nichols was a married man. He had a
lovely young wife and little son. and their
home had been happy one till now Gem
tury sprained her ankle, and Rufus called on
her at her home. Century received him
In the drawing room OF her palatial resi-
dence. She was sitting on a cushioned
chair. her injured foot resting on pillow.
Her face flushed when he stood before her,
and his face grew pale as death at the sight.
A few conventional inquiries as to her
progress toward recovery ELECTED the in
formation that three more weeks would
elapse ere she could use her foot
Rufus arose TO go. Century regarded
him tenderly and burst into tears. In an
instant he had lost his last spark of honor"
and was at her feet-being duly cautious.
we trust, not TO disturb her injured ankle.
Century stopped abruptly and wiped her
eyes. Think Of your wife and little boy,
she whispered hoarsely
-'0h. God do not speak Of them to mel
he begged. I am n v'lain, Century-a
villain and God-fors7ken " etoh, When
left her last she put hyr arms about me,
and her trusting blue eyes looked into mine
as she anxiously wondered why am getting
so careTorn and thin; and I. Century could
sec nothing put your eyes. Ny boy climbed
TO my knee and begged me TO stay with
them just on 3ay longer-my dear little
one, Century and l had to refuse him to
come to you!'
Rufus said Century, you must not
come here any more
He came again, and bis wife followed |
him. "A cold. sweet voice-the voice OF |
Edith Nichols" addressed the enamored |
pair quite unexp ectedly Mrs. Nichols |
declared. among other things. that she !
had no further use for her husband. Then |
this took place:
Century looked at her long time Will |
you accept a sum OF money for him. she |
asked at last
He is not worth a great deall' Edith |
answered, with flashing eyes and tense
drawn lips.
I viii give you fifty thousand dollars
for him Will You accept it?'-
Some further things we're said, and then |
this remarkable transaction was actually |
agreed upon. R,ius's brother, Roy. was
70 come for the money. We read further
Mrs. Nichols speaking as she takes her
leave:
Never come back to me, Rufus Nicholsi
I will never forgive you And you thief
that you are'-vou shall live to regret the
day you ever met him-as l regret it,
You must not call her thief Rufus
demonstrated. She is buying from you
what you are willing to SELL
Edith vouchsafed him no answer.
I will ring for my check book Century
said
You need not trouble yourself to that
extent Edith sneered. i will send Roy
10 collect the money for me. can still
trust his brother and so saying she walked
out
Her heart was nearly broken when she
reached her home
Rufus was purchased. He belonged to
Century, We're they happy? We need only
10 turn The leaf TO learn whether they were
or not. little Century was born. We
read:
One day the little one had just articu
Iated Dada, to the delight OF her father
who took her up in his arms and covered
her with kisses. Is she aot a sweet thing
Century he said to his vile. Il love her
80 much. the darling, aad she ia growing
more ike you day by day; she has not one
NJ nv features. Come ana hiss her. the
little rogue
Century walked over 10 him and slapped
the poor baby on its bare little neck. Put
her down. she stormed. She is stealing
your love from mel
The little thing cried pitifully, and
Rufus tried to comfort her before he laid
her down, but her mother tore her from