The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1906-06-23

privilege OF entertaining him as an
betrothed and unbetrothed, smiled
upon MIN? Nay, the dullest magma
ton can see all that.
Then one day the town was startled
with an elopement. les, sad as 1t was,
Agnes had eloped with 7. Seymour
Esterly in most spectacular manner,
leaving dramatic note to Homer that
she had made d great mistake, but had
saved both him and herself by recog-
nizing the fact that they were not
mates before it was too late-thanks
to the fact that her true affinity had ap-
peared. And she begged him to forget
her unworthy self and to find some
maiden who could appreciate his good
and true qualities. AS though she did
not we'll know that there never could
be any other woman in his simple hon.
est life.
The months sped and strange reports
came regarding the clipping couple. The
final one was that the Mr.. T. Seymour
Esterly was a common adventurer-in
fact valet of distinguished member OF
the stock exchange who while taking a
trip abroad had left his establishment
in the hands of his valet. And the valet
with the curb on had started out In
search of adventure with his employers
automobile and clothes and had sue
ceede in infaming the magma
ton of the ambitious country belle
and inducing her to elope with
him. And sadder than all it was whis-
pered that he had not married her at
all and that she was living in miserable
quarters the very creature of his whims.
Homer Dent had survived the blow
with the stoicism which ever had been
his saving grace. God alone knows
what it meant to him and the hours of
mortal agony he suffered, but he made
no sign and plodded on as he ever had.
And one day many, many months
after tbs catastrophe there came to him
letter." oh such pathetic and hope
less and sear-stained letter from the
lady of his dreams. The end had come.
She was deserted, alone and without
friends, morey or hope. Her own people
had cast her off-and she did not blame
them Her board was paid for the bal
ance of the week. Then she had re-
solved to end the whole miserable bust
ness and let the silent river tell the
story if it would. Only she could not
go out Of the world without letting
Homer know how keenly she appre-
ciated her mistake and how much better
she knew than he, his nobility of char
acter.
Il am saying these things, not to
justify myself nor with any hope Of the
future" she wrote. But l. want you
TO know your own worth which you al
ways have underestimated and discred-
tied. People in this world are taken on
their own valuation. Since | went
away from the truest lover ever maiden
had l have seen many men of all de-
grees, and want to tell you for your
own good that you are better and
stronger and Drawer than any of them.
When | am gone | wish you might for
give me for my disloyalty to you-God
knows l have suffered enough for it,
And wish might awaken in you some
conception Of your own power. If you
could appreciate 1t all success and all
happiness would be yours All business
success would open to you If only you
would demand it-and all women
would lie at your feet If you would
command instead of beg. This is the
only reparation can make-to awaken
you to your own possibilities. 1t is a
poor one, but believe me it is attempted
in all sincerity and with all the love
which woman can feel toward mana
love intensified a thousand times be-
cavse she knows she has sacrificed it,
And it should have all the weight Of a
voice from the grave-because next
Monday will be numbered with the
dead"
Long and prayerfully did Homer Dent
struggle with this letter. 1t rekindled
all the passion of his first and only love
and he realized all the terrible conse-
quences Of her fall. Finally in the cold
gray dawn he threw his meager ward
robe into trunk and wrote letter to
his employer resigning his position and
stating he was going away to be mar
ried and would not return.
Later he drew his money from the
savings bank and boarded train for
the city praying he would arrive in
time.