HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Advocate, 1894-10-18, Page 6A Wornan's Grine,
ase Ale EX -DETECTIVE..
Published by permission of the owners of the
Copyright.
(Coleerne ueD.)
Mrs. Arteveldt went home, and for
three clays waged incessant warfare upon
her son, . She commanded, she implored,
but her wrath and her tears were alike
unavailing. On the third day Clarence
said :
" It's no use, mother ; I can't stand
this sort of thing. I shall leave the
house to -night, and for . good. If you
can't accept my wife, you cant care
much forme. Lenore is not a girl to be
ashamed of, There is not another such
in all the city. I shall have a beautiful
wife, with the manners of a princess.
You right well be proudof such a
daughter. But if you won't you won't.
Only let me tell you. this, if you don't ac-
cept her now, she will not recognize you
since she is wry wife."
Then he went away and left her to
think,
Mrs. Arteveldt was a vain old woman;
she idolized her son ; but she loved. so-
ciety, and she knew that her reign was
well-nigh over; she had counted on a;
handsome, fashionable daughter-in-law,
with whom she might still attend opera
and ball, and who would attract to her
drawing -rooms the society which, with-
out the magnet of some younger beauty,
would gradually fall away from her and
them, If she alienated herself from. her
son and the wife he had chosen, she must
abandon all this. And after all Lenore
Armyn was beautiful—she would grace
any drawing -room. And. Mrs. Arteveldt
did not feel at all sure as to her
ability to keep so fine and haughty a
bride from becoming ;the fashion, Her
son's fortune rendered them independent
of her. And after all, Lenore did love:
her sou—what else could her strange
words mean?
When Clarence Arteveldt came down
stairs, after packing his effects, hi
mother met him and put a note in his
hands.
"Read it," she said in a subdued tone,
"and then take it to Miss Armyn."
With a gleam of satisfaction in his
eyes, he perused. it. Thus it ran :
Miss ARMTN :
If you can overlook the fact of our last meet-
ing, 1 can do the same. I came to you preju-
diced. I think I understand you better now.
Let us be the friends we should be. consxderin,
how soon you wilt be my son's wife. He will
give you this, and when next be visits you I
shall -hope to come with hirer.
Sincerely, ELLEN AnTEvELDT.
"Mother, you're a trump," said the
gratified Clarence. "Now then things
will be more comfortable," and he hast-
ened to deliver the note to Lenore.
After that Mrs. Arteveldt and Miss
Armyn drove regularly together. To-
gether they shopped, and lunched at
aristocratic, down -town restaurants. So
the time wore on, and there was only a
week now intervening before the wed-
ding -day. Mrs. Arteveldt has chosen
the trousseau, and the proud Lenore
Armen had made no resistance. The
new house was ready for its occupants.
Such a beautifully furnished house! It
was the talk of the Arteveldt set. It was
one of two double houses, as they are
called. They were recently -built struc-
tures, and had never had a tenant.
A short time after the one had been
secured by the expectant bridegroom, the
other had been taken, a little to the an-
noyance of the first renter. The second
house was still uninhabited, the lessee
being tardy in taking possession. But
there was plenty of evidence that the
new tenant would soon be settled on the
premises. Everyeday loads of costly fur-
niture were landed at the door, and Clar-
ence Arteveldt learned that it was to be
used for a genteel boarding house. Ho
was a little dissatisfied at this, but it was
too late to complain, and in the city one
cannot choose his neighbors.
It was a dreary, drizzling November
day, just one week before the time fixed
upon for the wedding; Lenore had kept
her room all day, only appearing at meal
times. Dusk was coming on and a strong
wind whistled about the corners.
"Ah l And you hate her for this ; you
are so jeelosts2"
Again that odd laugh from the lips of
Lenore,
"Yes," she replied, "I sixa terribly
jealous,"
The wailed WOIneal moved a step nearer,
saying eagerly
'Miss Armyn, listen, If you marry
him innocent blood will be upon your
head; you will drive this poor gni to her
death.'
Lenore started.
"le it so bad as that?"
"So bad'." The voice bead= almost a
wail. "My God 1 it is worse then I can
tell you ; it is bitter as death."
"Ah!" this one syllable with a queer.
intonation.
"It is the wreak of alifel"—tire voids
growing snore tragic—"it is the bleakest
of despair !• And you—you., so beautiful
-you do notlovehim as—she does."
Suddenly Lenore Armyn came to her
side, and laid a hand upon her arm, say-
ing peremptorily : �:,•
"Please remove that vail .
The visitor drew bank suddenly.
s"What! why?" she almost gasped.
"Because I want to see your face, Be-
cense you are pleading for yourself."
" I am not.
"I know better, I do not choose to be
theatrical. If you wish to talk to me re-
move your vail and tell me who you
are."
"Impossible 1"
"Then our interview. ends here," turn-
ing towards the door.
Phe stranger sprang forward.
"What 1" she cried, "you would, look
upon my face to glory in my grief. You
would like to laugh with him over my
humiliation."
Lenore twined "con her fiercely.
{`What are you that you can impute
such motives to me? Clarence Arts -veldt
will never hear of your visit from my
lips. if you want nie to hear you and
believe you, throw aside this mystery."
The stranger hesitated.
"Will you swear to me never to speak
of mo to him—never to tell any one, un-
der
der any circumstbnces, of my visit to
you ?"
"If you wish it."
"I do wish it."
"Then I swear."
The stranger moved. nearer again.
"Have you ever heard him speak of
any lady friend?"
"Yes ; one."
"Who ?"
"A bliss Durand."
"And I am Aura Durand."
She threw back the vail, and Lenore
saw the fair blonde face for the first time.
For a full minute they gazed at each
other in silencethen Lenore said.:
"Sit down, Miss Durand. Can it, be pos-
sible you have come to me on such an
errand ?"
"Yes I have the first, best right to
Clarence Artevelat's love ; you must give
him back to me."
"I, cannot."
"But wait ; you do not know all—I
must humble myself still more—I must
known as "Alilee's." For a second time
putting a' den
n ra byi insu d
'1 d
Rob ace 1
Jocelyn yd si.
sippearanee prevented a iraeeting between
his friend Nell and the fair Lettere. The
fair Lenore I How fair sho was, on this,
her bridal eve.
There was to be a brilliant sseremony
at a stately church, and, heber, a recap-
tion, not at the residence of Mrs.. Arte
veldt the elder, but atthe new, home of
the bride and. groom. This wathe wish
—the whine, ..furs, Arteveldt called it --of
Lenore. And Lenore's wishes were
equivalent to coininands. She was not
to be argued out of this "whim," She
would have no reception at the house of
her mother-in-law; she 'woul& receive her
own wedding guests. Mrs. Arteveldt
mere among the rest, •
Clarence had not ventured an objection
to this arrangement ; in truth he saw
none. "What if it is a trifle unusual,"
he had said. to his mother, "we must re-
ceive in our own house, and why not on
our bridal night? I ane not afraid for
Lenore. She may be ignorant in scale
respects regarding society, but she lacks
nothing that a lady should know. I tell
you what, her mother must have been not
only a lady, but a most extraordinary
woman. Lenore never mentions her, hut
it is plain she has had no common train-
ing. What our city belles must acquire
by education is second nature to Lenore.
I believe that ilrri. Amyx:. was a travelled
woman, an educated '(woman, and that
she has been in the society of the best.
tell
"Tell me nothing. It can make no dif-
ference."
"It must. It shall. Listen—"
"No 1" lifting her hand in admonition;
"listen I cannot. 'You would only hum-
ble yourself uselessly."
"You will not hear me ?"
"It would be worse than useless. You
are not the first who has tried to make
me renounce Clarence Arteveldt. I reply
to you as I did to that other one : I would
not listen if you knelt before me. Gold
daunt buy nee ; threats are of no avail.
I will marry Clarence Arteveldt; noth-
ing save death can prevent it."
For a moment Aura Durand stook like
a statue before her. For a moment she
looked as if about to spring upon Lenore
and clutch her throat with those clinched
baby hands. Then her form drooped
suddenly, her hands fell at her side; she
reeled as if about to faint.
"So be it," she murmured, in a broken
voice. "May heaven forgive you. All I
can ask then is that you keep my secret."
"I will keep your secret. Have no,
fear."
With drooping head and unsteady
steps, Aura Durand went out into the
storm.
Just a block away from the Ruthven
abode, the street -ears jogged drearily by,
and one of them pausing, deposited a
single female passenger, who hastened on
through the wind and rain, heavily
cloaked and closely veiled. Before the
door bearing the name, Ruthven, in
silver letters on a black plate, she paused
for a moment, then hurried. up the steps
and rang the bell.
"I wish to see Mies Armyn," she said,
when the door was opened. "Is she at
home?"
Miss Armyn was at home, and the
stranger was ushered into the part. r:
Lenore Armyn came down, wondering
a little who hes visitor could be. At the
same moment the maid of all work came
in, lighted the gas, drew the curtains,
and withdrew herself. Then the visitor
came forward and gaaed eagerly at the
face of Lenore A niyn, without removing
the vail. Finally she said, as if to her-
self :
"She is beautiful—very."
"Who are you?" asked Lenore, "and.
what is your business with me?"
"You are about to marry Mr. Arte -
veldt," said the stranger, in a low, sweet
voice.
"Yes."
"It is of him I wish to speak."
"Then preeesd."
"Miss Armyn, OIerence Arteveldt is
the lover, the promised husband of an-
other woman"
s`WeilP'
"He is bound to her by every tie of
honor."
Lenore Armyn. laughed. "Such bonds
are frail,," she said.
"Frail, indeed!" retorted the "ailed
one, bitterly. "I have dome to you as
the ambassador of that other woman,
She loves him to madness; and begs you
to eenounoe him."
"She must indeed love him to mad-
nese."
"Miss Armyn, you surely cannot wish
to marry this man, knowing the truth, I
swear to you he is false, unfaithful. He
has cleeeived you, and will again"
"You mistake. He never will."
"I say he will," excitedly; "he is by
natare inconstant. Send him front you,
Miss Armyn; send him back to the
woman he has wronged. You are said
to be as generous ea you ars beautiful—"
"Then I have been misrepresented:
There is no generosity in pie"
"What! you do not it this other
ono?"
"No ; why should I? las she not been
loved by (larone° Arteveldt?"
Finding all opposition useless, Mrs.
Arteveldt had set about the task of mak-
ing others think that this new departure
was entirely to her liking ; and she had
done one thing more. Feeling convinced
that her prospective daughter-in-law
would not prove very flexible in her
hands, and relieved of the fear that had
hitherto haunted' her, and prevented her
supplying herself with a pleasant, youth-
ful companion, she had asked Kate Seaton
to come to her in that capacity. She had
been pleased and attracted by Kate's
pretty face and bright, cheery ways. Tho
girl had a sweet soprano voice, and was
also an excellentreader. Mrs. Arteveldt
felt that having once extended her pat-
ronage to Lenore, it would not answer to
let any barriers spring up between them.
Lenore was fond of Kate, it would
put them upon a pleasanter footing
to have the girl in the house. Then, too,
it would render Mrs. Arteveldt a trifle
more independent. A young lady who
was patronized by her must become pop
ular, and Irate, when she had acquired a
little more dignity, would become an
ornament to society; she would soon
acquire this needful dignity under the
Arteveldt influence.
then? Aura, is, not sick, She has. spraixed
her article,"
"Ohl a sprain'. How did that happen,
and when 2'
''Last evening; Miss Durand was re-
turning from the theater. She slipped in
getting from the carriage. They lead to
carry er in."
Others move nearer, and Miss Armin
turns away.. As she passes Lenore the
latter puts out her hand.
,x I have not the honor of Miss Dur-
and's acquaintance " she says, looking
Miss Armin straight in the eye ; "never-
theless tell her that I trust she will find
her injury can be amended --in time."
Miss Annin bows and then moves away,
wearing a,queer look upon her• face..
" Ali, Miss Anra," she thinks, "there
is a peculiar meaning in those words, or
I am notood at guessing:"
" Miss Durandis not here," said a lady
to Clarence, "how is this, Mr. Arte -
vela t ?"
rte -veldt?"
" Mies Durand has sprained her ankle,"
replied the bridegroom. "I am sorry not
to see her here; that makes to two disap-
pointments for pre to -night. My friend,
Bathurst, is absent, too. You remember
him, Lenore," turning toward her and
speaking in a lower voice—`'the detec-
tive,"
Carrie Van Buren has approached, and,
unnoticed by either, stands dose at the
bride's elbow. She hears the low spoken
words, and. she sees Lenore Arteveldt
start suddenly. At once her thoughts fly
back to the sunny afternoon when the
young man had been pointed out to Le-
nore while crossing Dearborn street,
Without making her proximity known
she silently turps away and seeks out
Jess Warren.
"Clarence," says the bride, a moment
later; leaning toward him, and speaking
in a .low tone, "will you arrange that
Mr. Fordham shall escort Jess Warren
and 1Vliss Van Buren to the supper room?
I want them to sit next us."
"But, Lenore—'x
"Don't argue, please. You are in
your own house. You have only to
speak to Mr. Fordham; and I insist upon
it."
ie Then. of course, it shall be so. But
I thought you would prefer Kate—"
" I don't prefer Kate ; she is best off
with your mother. Go now and find Mr.
Fordham."
Obediently, yet reluctantly, he leaves
her side to do her bidding.
The guests are merry ; the bride is fair;
the groom triumphant. The moments.
speed by on golden wings.
Kate had accepted the lady's offer ,glad-
ly ; the Ruthvens were far from being
rich, and she had more than once tried to
persuade her sister to let her go and seek
a situation as bookkeeper or clerk in one
of the many stores where young ladies
were employed, but Mrs. Ruthven would
not consent to this. Mrs. Arteveldt's
offer was something quite different. Here
was an. opportunity for Kate to better
herself. The argument that was most to
the liking of Kate's sister, was contained
in a speech made by Mrs. Arteveldt,
when settling the matter of wages, or, as
she termed it, "compensation."
"You see, Mrs. Ruthven," she had said,
"the money I offer her is not much. I
named so small a sum because I wish to
reserve the privilege of furnishing her
wardrobe myself. She will, of course, go
out with me, as well as see much of so-
ciety in nay own. house. I want her to
dress in accordance . with the society in
which she will be thrown."
The arrangements had all been com-
pleted before Lenore was made aware of
the change in store for Kate. She had
not displayed as much enthusiasm over
the new arrangement as Kate had hoped
for, and expected. But then, Lenore was
engrossed with her own affairs.
After all, Jess Warren did not feel
,elated over the success of her plot. She
had not anticipated anything like the
present state of affairs. She had not
dreamed that Clarence Arteveldt's
haughty mother would, under any cir-
cumstanees. consent to receive Lenore.
CHAPTER XVI.—A STRANGE BRIDAL BAN-
QUET.
Neil Bathurst bounded up the stairs
which led to his rooms in the big com-
mercial building, three steps at a time.
It was the evening of Clarence Arte
veldt's wedding, and the detective, who
had been "piping" all day, had barely
time to prepare for the ceremony.
Plunging through the great hall he ran
upon a half-grown lad who was pound-
ing lustily at his own door.
"Hello, youngster," he cried. "Don't
batter my door down. What's the row?"
" Oh! it's you, be it ?" ejaculated the
gamin, taking a close survey of him"by
the light from various transoms. "I
thought you never would wake up."
" Well, it's me or not, according to
who you take me for," replied Neil, at
the same time putting a key in the door.
"I takes you for the chap as belongs to
this 'ere room -ain't your name Bath-
urst?"
" That's me, sonny," pushing open the
door.
" Well, then, this is fer you," present-
inga crumpled note, and turning to go.
Who sent it?"
"Damao," from the • hall without.
"Good -by, Cap'n." And Neil heard him
clattering down the stairs.
Having closed his door, Neil opened the
envelope hurriedly. It contained a half
sheet of paper covered with scrawled
hieroglyphics, quite ineomprenensible to
any save him for whom it was intended.
Neil understood it at a glance. It was a
letter in cypher, the key of which was
held by himself and Robert Jocelyn.'
Translated the cypher read thus :
OLD PAL'
Be ,at Mike's to -night from 7 until further
notice. I am up to some "queer shoving"
games, and can't work alone. See you later.
Neil uttered a low whistle. "Rob in
town again," he muttered. "Where will
he turn up next? At Mike's at 7, Why,
that's the wedding hour. By Jove, fate
is against my seeing the fair bride,
Arteveldt will be hurt, I suppose, at my
non.'appearance, but business is business,
I can't desert Rob, even for a wedding,
And he began a queer sort of toilet, one
not at all inkeeping for a wedding guest.
"What an odd fish Rob is," he mused,
as he prepared himself. "Turning up in
all sorts of places, and after all manner
of game. Who supposed hint. in the city
now. But them --as I had not heard of.
him for a week, X might have expected
it."
Not long after a flashily -dressed young
man came cautiously out from Neil
Batheuet room, hurried down the lesser
stairway and turned his face toward the
famine gambling house, familiarly
At last comes the summons to the
bridal feast. The table is laden with
delicate and costly viands, rare exotics
charm the senses and perfume the air ;
fruits of every clime are heaped about, a
profusion of gorgeous color. There is
the glitter of rare and costly plate ;`the
sparkle of clearest crystal ; wines glow-
ing with golden and ruby fire are flowing
freely as water. Tho guests are very
merry- they are feasting, jesting, laugh-
ing, quaffing the glowing wine, From
the lower end of the table a gentleman
rises up, wineglass in hand, it is Mr.
Hale, the lawyer and friendly adviser of
the elder Mrs. Arteveldt.
"Ladies and gentlemen, a toast," he
says. "Let us fill our glasses to the:
health, long live, and future happiness of
Mr. and Airs. Clarence Arteveldt."
"Our turn will come," Jess had said at
last, to her confederate. "When she is
married and holds the purse strings, we
can unloose them; she won't want facts
to leak out when she has begun to taste
the sweets of society. And if she won't
'come down' the old lady will. Besides,
we shall have the advantage of appear-
ing in their drawingrooms. They won't
dare slight us." They were destined to
appear once, at least, for they were
among the first to receive beautifully en-
graved cards of invitation; first, to at-
tend the ceremony of marriage, and after
to attend at the reception.
There was one other odd feature at
that wedding. Lenore would have no
bridesmaids.
Alone they stood at the altar, two
splendid specimens of physical beauty.
Lenore Armyn was the fairest of fair
brides; stately as a duchess, and cold as
the north star. Clarence Arteveldt had
never looked handsomer, his cheeks
burned with excitement, his eyes flashed
triumphantly. More than one fair belle
envied Lenore Armyn tbat evening;
more than one of bis male friends declar-
ed Arteveldt "a lucky dog."
Two fully expected guests were absent
from the ceremony, Neil Bathurst and
Aura Durand.
It was a brilliant assembly that which
gathered under the roof of Clarence
Arteveldt's fine new house; not too
large, just the cream of the Arteveldt set.
The bride's friends gang represented by
Mrs. and Mr. Ruthven, Kate Seaton and
—heaven save us I—Jess Warren and
Carrie VanBuren.
Reader, let us mingle with the groups
of brighterobed ladies, and clerical look-
ing men, who are gathered in those ele-
gant rooms. Lenore Arteveldt, surround-
ed
urrounded by a group of admiring new acquaint-
ances, stands at the upper end of the
large drawing -room, her words are very
few, and her face somewhat graver than
a bride's face should bo, but she bears
herself with perfect grace, and is a good
listener.
"Mrs. Arteveldt seems one of your
handsome, silent sort," says a gentle-
man, to Jess Warren, who is arrayed in
a wonderful garment of rose color—
boli. ht with the price of reenore s wrong.
"Yes," replied the widow, "Dear Le-
nore is always silent—of late."The last
two words sotto voce.
At almost the same moment Mrs. and
Mr. Durand are turning away, after hav-
ing proffered late congratulations to the
bride and groom. But Mies Armin lingers
near Lenore and Clarence,
"Aura was so disappointed at finding
herself unable to come," she says, look-
ing ttp at Clarence Arteveldt.
I am sorry that she is sick," replies
hese "Hope it's not serious,"
"Serious! clear me, no , laughing pret-
tily. "Didn't you utxderstand her fa -
that Lenore hes spoken the shameful
truth, h Andthefa x of and her son -
federate, and of George Fordham, cors
roborate her story, Already Lenore is
avenged, for the four evil oleos stand be-
fore their fellow -mortals as targets for de-
rision and scorn. Por moment the
stillness is death -like ; then the mother of
Clarence Arteveldt rails forward in a
swoon. This breaks the spell of silenee,
and stupification, They turn toward Le-
norne, but the place where she stood i,
vacant. The bride has disappeared. They
raise the lifeless form of Mrs. Artevelclt,
and remove it from the scene of confusion
they tails in low, horror-stricken tones,
Clurenee Arteveldt is the last to come out
of his trance; blinded, stunned by a rush,
of strong emotions—fear, rage, baffled
passion, despair—he reels like a drunken
man. He stands alone, this wretched
bridegroom. Tho numerous friends who
a nnonrent since sat at his board and
quaffed his wine, stand aloof now, and
favor hien with glances of curiosity or
aversion; they are all against him to-
night, to-morrow,—when it will be too
late,—they will talk pityingly of him,
and try to endow him with the virtues
that he had not. All around the board
see the full glasses—filled for the toast
destined never to be honored. Clarence
.Arteveldt starts forward and drains his
'lass, refills it then fills it again. As he
drinks, a hand falls on bis armhe turns.
It is his mother's lawyer, Mr. Hale.
"What is to be done, Arteveldt?" he
asks, in a dry, unfeeling voice, as if he
were acting from a sense of duty, not
sympathy. "Your mother is in a.swoon,
shall . act for you?" •
"Yes, act, for God's sake."
`Then go to your own room and leave
that wine 'alone."
The bridegroom turns away with an.
angry gesture, and fills and drains
another glass.
"Stop, man," cries the .sager, sternly.
"Don't you see that you are damaging
yourself still more in the eyes of all those
people ? Come out of that frenzy and tell
where your wife has gone. If you can
explain this thing to your own credit, for
mercy's sake do so."
Down goes the wine glasswith a crash,
it lies at the feet of the deserted bride-
groom, shivered to atoms.
"Did you not hear her?" he cries,
throwing out his hands wildly, "why
look for her? Neither you nor I wig ever
find her. I might have known it, I
might have understood her better ! I was
a blind fool ; she has ruined me, body
and soul—I have lost her ; that is all that
I care for ! She is gone, GONE, GONE!"
The last word ends in a iespairing
shriek, he reels backward and falls, strik-
ing his head against the carved leg of his
own dining -room chair. Then Mr. Hale
assumes command of everything. Pres-
ently the house is quiet, the guests are
gone. A physician has been summoned,.
and in obedience to his command, Mrs.
Arteveldt is removed to her own house ;
she is borne to her carriage, accompanied
by the terrified. Kate Seaton.
Clarence Arteveldt is compelled to re-
tire to his own room, yes, compelled—
the darling of the drawing -room, the
handsome, the wealthy, the weak -headed,
traitor -hearted husband of an hour, is
half mad.. Rage, disappointment and
wine, have mastered his reason; for the
time, at least, he is a maniac anal requires
a keeper.
[To BE CONTINUED.]
Home and - is Duties.
There is a rustling, a murmur of ap-
probation, and the gurgling of wine flow
ing into many glasses—then—a sudden
hush—and .startled eyes are turned to-
ward the upper end of the table. The
bride has risen to her feet ; her head is
thrown back defiantly ; her face is as
colorless as. the whitest ivory. In one
hand she, holds a wine -glass full to the
brim—the other she extends in a com-
manding gesture. "Before you drink
that toast hear me," she says in full,
"BEFORE YOU DRINK HEAR HOW
CLARENCE ARTEVELDT WON HIS WIPE"
firm tones. "Hear how Clarence Arte -
veldt won his wife. Before you drink to
him know of what he is capable—know
that I, who stand before you to -night
with a heart• filled with loathing for the
man whose wife I am—was entrapped
into this marriage. All unfamiliar
with the city and its wickedness, I was
led by that man," pointing to the bride-
groom,. "and these, his confederates,"
signifying Mr. Fordham and the now
guilty -looking women on either side of
him, "into a gambler's den. Then I was
told that the one way to save myself was
by becoming the wife of the wretch who
had thus entrapped me. Otherwise my
friends should know that I had been a
gambler's guest, and my honor would
thus be blackened. Unknown to myself,
I stood that day where no good woman
ever stood before. But there behold two
women who lured me into that place,
with their own eyes open. Two women
who were not there for the first time, nor
for the second. On them let the shame
fall I Thus far their scheme has been
successful . Clarence Arteveldt will
hardly slander the woman who bears his
name and has been the chosen friend of
his mother. He has won me for his wife
---but his wife in name only. His roof
shall never shelter me ! I would die
sooner than receive aught from his hand.
He won me by fraud—but hecan hold
nie by neither fraud nor force! Before
God, I swear that never shall his hand
touch mine 1 Never will I hear his lips
call me wife ! Never shall his oyes look
upon me after this hour ! Clarence
Arteveldt, this evening has been your
triumph.—this night and all the future
shall witness mine. When to -morrow
comes let then your friends and guests
say, whether or no, your 'wife has aveng-
ed herself,"
.The words rush from her lips like
living fire. So sadden, so unexpected are
they, that they strike every listener
dumb. Clarence Arteveldtsits like a man
of stone, but his face tells his own guilt.
Not one who looks upon him there doubts
•
Man and wife are like a pair of scissors,
so long
astheyz
iet
together, r,
but they
be,
,
come daggers as
soon ' as they are des -
united,
Remember that some of the brightest -
drops in the °bailee of life may still re -
mem for tis be old age. The last draught,
which .a kind Providence gives us to•
drink, though near the bottom of the cap,
may, as is said of the draught of the Ro-
nran of old, have at the very bottom, in-
stead of dregs, most costly pearls,
We have each of us our work to do,
parent and child, and are mutually re-
sponsible for the condition of our home.
Do we do our duty toward making it the
pleasantest spot on earth? If we do our
part faithfully, God. will help us ; if not,
"sin lieth at the door." Father and sons
are too often driven away from the homes
that should be most sacred and most
dear, to the bar -room, where intoxicating
drinks and vulgar stories are all too com-
mon. Wives and daughters grow sad
and heart -broken because fathers and
husbands forget to bring sunshine home
with them.
Let me give you a little sketch of my
ideal home. It is full of comforts, though
it may be bare of luxuries. Whether ib
rains or shines, indoors there is warmth
and brightness. If a father has cares he
does his best to forget them, that they
may not darken their hearts. The mother
has worries, but is not anxious to prove
herself a martyr, so lovingly and cheer-
fully she casts her burdens ole Him who
is able to bear it, and makes home bright
and shining. Seeing father and mother
wise and cheery, the children will learn
to do their part. When trouble comes,
as to all it must, it loses half its weight
if met and borne together. There is, at
least, one pleasant room, with some of
the many little things that make home
happy—a few pictures (and many, if pos-
sible), that early the young may learn to
love beauty, and the older ones may rest
their tired eyes upon them when life
grows dreary as even here it sometimes
may. It shall be a home good enough for
visitors, but not too good for "our own,"
and never by any chance so elegant that
sunshine, home -light, and our family
are shut out.
Let us make our homes places of rest
and peace, of purity and good cheer ;
schools where all that is noble and pure
is taught; and, above all, types of that
other home where enters nothing that
makes a lie.
His Version.
Once upon a time Shifter was a Sunday
school teacher, and he declares that dur-
ing tura one day of his ministry he per-
spired more profusely than on any other
seven of his lifetime. His coup de grace
carne thus:
Small child—Please, teacher, why is it
that some people are born good and oth-
era are born bad?
Shifter (after a great, wild wrestle in. -
wards and a murderous craving for his,
usual midday)—The good people are the
descendants of Adam and Evo, and. the
wrong 'uns of Eve and the Serpent.
Then he handed in his resignation, and
made a bee -line for the nearest saloon
that had a Sabbath -breaking back door
to it.
What the Trouble Was.
Tho deaf old gentleman with his trum-
pet hanging around his neck, met an
acquaintance who had enough drinks.
ahead to make him talk thick, Tho 1
man began talking without the trumpet.
and the old gentleman couldn't catch
what he said.
"Here," said the acquaintance, reach-
ing for the trumpet, "let me talk through
the horn."
"That won't help it any," responded'
the old gentleman testily. "You're talk-
pig through too many horns already,"
ani the conversation was r`ot pursued
further.
00000000043040+000OO*00.444
0004.00000034.000000000004+0
LASERURST
SANITARIUM
Gems of Thought.
A. man's conduct is an unspoken ser-
mon.
ermon.
All true courtesy springs from the
heart.
The golden age is not behind but be-
fore us.
A happy fireside is bettor than a big
bank account. •
Of all combats the sorestis to conquer
ourselves.
The honest man never stop to enquire
if honesty pays.
Overwarm friendships, like hot pota-
toes, are quickly dropped.
A myrtle standing among nettles does
notwithstanding retain the name . of a
myrtle.
Though thou bast never so many coun-
sellors yet do not forsake the counsel
of thy own soul.
A man who puts off his enjoyment too
long will find it mislaid by the time he
goes to get it.
Modesty is to merit what shading is to
a figure in a picture. It makes it stand
out in strong relief.
It is not so much the being exempt
from faults as the having overdone then'
that is an advantage to us.
No true work since the world began was
ever wasted; no true life since the world
began has ever failed.
The wealth of a man is the number of
things which he loves and Massey, which
he is loved and blessed by.,
OAKVILLE,
For the treatment and cure of
ALCOHOLISM,
THE MORPHINE HABIT,
TOBACCO HABIT,
AND NERVOUS .DISEASES
ONT.
The system employed at this instituotiri
is the famous Double Chloride of Gold
System. Through its agency over 200,-
000 Slaves to the use of these poisons
have been emancipated in the last four-
teen years. Lakehurst Sanitarium is the
oldest institution of its kind in Canada
and has a well-earned reputation to
maintain in this line of medicine. In its
whole history there is not an instance of
any after ill-effects from the treatment,
Hundreds of happy homes in all parts of
the Dominion bear eloquent witness to the
efficacy of a course of treatment with us.
For terms and full information write
THE SECRETARY,
28 Bauk of Commerce Chambers,
Toronto, Ont.
iv.si�.issii°e+ii�i�i
ELECTRIC MO'T'ORS from one-half Horse
Power up to Eleven Horse Power, Write
or prices, stating power required, voltage of
rnrrent to be used, and whether supplied by
-beet car line or otherwise.
TORONTO TYPE FOUNDRY,
Toronto and Winnipeg
g1lRR WATER MOTOR, from one,elgbty
to twenty horsepower. Comparative testa
have demonstrated this water motor to be the
most economical agent known for generating
power from a system of waterworks furnishing a
pressure of 30 pounds and upwards. In writing
for information state the water pressure yon pro-
pose to use and the class of work to be done, and
we will be pleaded to furnish all information re.
darding the size motor and the pipes neeessarylto
rive any kind of machinery.
TORONTO TYPE FOUNDRY,
Toronto and Winnipeg.'
5 PER CENT.
Private Money lent on Farm, Ohara
' and City Property at five per cent.'
Municipal Debentures Pureliased.ti
Notes Discounted.
W. A. WRIGHT,
Financial Agent,
44 Bay St„ Toronto.,
FOR SAL.
Toronto (Street) Railway Co.
Two Hundred Shares of $100 each for,
sale in large and small lots.
R'. A. WRIGHT
Financial Agent.
44 Bay St., Toronto.