The Mena weekly star., 1909-07-29

storm was aD0uJ 70 oreah OVcf the min. ing camp. A mountain storm can scarce ly be surpassed for grandeur and beauty. On the miner both arc lost. ho sees only tho discomforts-
 Ono mile away from tho camp stood n dwelling which in comparison with tho rude huts of the miners might bc called a mansion A two story cottage, laying claim to architectural beauty. Long gal leries extended around threc sides, long windows opening thereon. The yard, laid off in fancy plots, was brilliant with many hued flowers. The velvety sward was threaded with beautiful grayelcd walks. An artistic summer house and numerous rustic seats served for orna- ment as we'll as comfort
 This was the homo of George Sanders, the owner of the mines. Tho wealthy parvenu to whom Elba Carlylo sold her- self four years before. What had the money dono for herr Had it brought happincss7 Look at her, as she stands like piece of exquisite statnary on the western gallery of her mountain home in the hay atmosphere of an Indian sum. mer, and read your answer in her face. Read there the story of the past four years. A story of bitter regrets A story of hard fought battles between feel ing and duty. A sad, sad story of good | L. Iof. lox,a ~afurnad with nr.lA ness amounting at times to contempt. Read there an unfinished story, to which each day Is adding something new. | Colder, prouder, and if possible, moro beautiful, than when she married the rich commoner. The buoyancy et youth had given place to matronly dignity, and sweet grace of manner, that come with motherhood.
 Some one has said, "One dies many times before tho coffin lid is screwed down.'' Elba Sanders realized the truth of the words. Had her sister lived, she would not have thought of her sacrifice IS useless, but to tho unhappy woman, 1t seemed the irony of fate, that Jessie should die three weeks after the fateful marriage, and sho bc left with no aim In life.
 When her period of mourning had ex- Vired, she threw herself into the mael stfom of fashionable society, with all the recklessness of miserable women, seek. fng the waters of Letha
 With unlimited means at bes command, Eiba's beauty and cultuso coupled with the old and honored name of Carlyle, op- ened wide every door which she had i'm aGaned closed against her when her fath- @ went down in tho business world. Sho took advantage of the opportunity to re- gain her old place and mounted even Mgbes, The magnifcenco of her cos tumes entertainments, and everything pertaining to her life startled her friends. Her enormous expenditures frightened them. As she had predicted to Judge Latham, she was toasted and feted, until che sickencd of 1t all, and turned away in disgust It was all 80 hollow, 30 lacking in heart interest While courted and sought by the best people in her set, Elba saw and felt painful differ ence in thinga Tho man whose name she bore was 90 unlike the polished, ele- gant father who in days past had stood by her side, an acknowledged favorite everywhere they vent She was neither blind nor deaf to the thinly yelled sur prise and whispered comments, when she appeared with him Even his great wealth and his wifes popularity failed to arouse apy enthusiasm, and infuso any warmth Into the reception tendered George SandeN
 Exquisitey refined, dellcatcly sensitive, E1ha felt it keenly. And the husband, obtuse as he was supposed to be, under stood and gradually ahsented himself from all social functions until he was never seen in public with his wifa He always insisted that she should go. He was preud or ner. lie would say to her.
 "Go on and have good time. They re your people, and you understand each other. I feel like stray cat in a strange garret. Tho little laugh ac- companying tho words was pathetic. But it did bore Him. day in his mines in the far Northwest, jollying with the men ct work gave him moro pleasure than the sweIlest entertainment ever conceived by tho smart set.
 His wife went without him yet sho was very circumspect Although Q mar ried woman herself, she always went un- der the protecting wing of one much old CT She mingled with tho opposite sex and was greatly admired, and did not