Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Herald, 1908-01-10, Page 5Ry1. ItZSK.if��iR.Jir.JK.W.S IZNIZSIZSCO I16.�M Yi.7i6XY4/2r ,7i The True and The False WNIEJOUVNA Upon the present occasion, no heavy state !affair, no reformatory projecto not even a neighborhood improvement— but a more genial family interest en=" gaged Mr. and Mrs. Hunter. As Maud entered, her father, with a cheerful, en- couraging countenance, held out his arms to her; and when she came to him ,he. drew her between his knees and set her down, and exiled in her face. Maud thought she had never seen her father look so strong and calm and benig- nant—so full of 4power• and goodness and self-reliance—and a certain high faith and hope mingled with her love and rais- ed it!.almost to worship as she lifted her eyes to his face. He said: "I sent for you, my dear, to tell you to relieve yourself from all uneasiness, to east al your care on me—for I care for you. I have the• desire and the abil- ity ,to make you happy. Of what avail, indeed, were my age and position, if I lead not the power to bless our one child, All that I am, and have, my love, will I use in making your mother's chili; con- tent. You do not know what took me to Baltimore? No; for -I would drop no hint of a purpose that must have been a subject of excitement and anxiety to you during my .absence, and would hive hindered your recovery. But I went to Baltimore in pursuit of Falconer. I understand that boy thoroughly, my dear; his very faults grow out of a noble, though misguided, nature, which time, experience and knowledge will correct. I feel a real and deep interest in him, my dear, and not solely upon your account, but also upon his own and his family's. I have great hopes for him, my love he will yet do very well; he will yet be an -honor to his friends and to his country." "Did you see him in Baltimore, my dear father?" "No my dear, I did better than that. It would not have been well to have seen him in the mood be was then in. But I was enabled to make a tolerably accurate guess as to the places where I should be most likely to hear news of bim. As there was no election pending I made inquiries about bim at artists' studios. I found that he had visited sev- eral in Baltimore, and that he was go- ing the next day to Washington City Now, therefore, in order to effect my purpose in his behalf, it was necessary for me to precede him thither. I did so. I set out by the night coach, and reached • the city by the next morning. Immedia- ately after breakfast, I went to see our friend Donzoni, the Italian sculptor, in the employment of the Government." "A man, my love, who owes his pre- sent fortune to your father's patronage. Fifteen years ago, when we first went to Europe, Mr. Hunter found, in a email villagge in Italy, a poor, unfriended, but highly gifted young artist, who, in ad- dition to the trials of genius, had en- dured persecutions, and well-nigh suf- fered martyrdom for, the freedom of his thoughts and utterances upon religious and political questions. Your father brought him to this country, procured him a government contract, and laid the foundation of his present fortunes. Donzoni, my child, is one of the many men .of genius in all the departments of life, who owe their success to your father's discriminating benevolence and timely aid," said Mrs. Hunter, warmly. Maud lifted an almost worshipping glance to her father's noble countenance, but he only smiled and kissed her, and shook his head, saying: "I do not know, my dear; every one whom I have been so happy to assist would probably have succeeded without my aid, though possibly not so soon and easily as with it. Genius; like murder, will out, and it is easier to clear the way for it than to repress and keep it back. But as .I was about to say, my dear, I found Donzoni in his studio, near the Capitol. I bad a long and. confiden- tial conversation with hint. I spoke of Falconer—spoke highly and I am Kure justly, of his genius and promise. I found that he knew and appreciated the boy. said: .And then I held out such strong induce- "1 have been turning over in any mind meats to hili as decided him to offer Falconer a place in his studio as pupil and assistant. I received his promise to this effect, and took leave with the un- derstanding that he should come in the evening and sup with me at my lodgings at Brown's. It turned out exactly as I had expected. When Donzoni came in the evening, he informed me that Falconer had called at his studio about the middle of the _afternoon, soon after the arrival of the day -coach from Baltimore, in face, and that he had made the stipulated fact, and that he had made the stipulated been immediately accepted. Therefore, you see, my dear, for the present, Falcon- er is safe and provided for." ' "My dear father! my dear, dearest fa- ther!" said Maud kissing his hands, with the tears in her eyes. "And Falconer, as yet, knows not to wham he is indebted for his present good fortune;' said,1 Mrs. Hunter. "As yet, nothing; nor is it necessary that he should. In the boy's present shoo$, the knowledge woulii be worse than useless— it would be detrimental. All he "wants from me now .is my Maud; • and he 'pants her instantly, and as P. cannot give her to him yet, he would spurn all other benefits. He is young, fiery, headstrong, self-willed. He has al- ways not only really been his own mas- ter, but has considered himself every- body else's: He never was opposed, pro- bably, in his life before—and now to be frustrated In the very dearest wish of his heart,' just in the hour of ,its frui- tion, and by a man -whom he considers it a religious duty ,to hate, too, halt - maddens the poor boy, and nn wonder. We must allow him time to recover him- self," said Daniel Hunter, smiling. "My dear father! my dear, honored father!" murmured his child, under her, breath, as she pressed his hands to her' bosom and to her lips. whether it was beet or not to leave a oa•rd. upon young O'Leary. it is difficult to decade how far to go and where to stop in dealing with a young gentle- man of his character and disposition. It would not be well to spoil him—to feed his egotism and increase his pre- sumption, of whielt he has a plenty, poor boy. What shall 1 ao, Augusta?" "Leave your card with him, Mr. Bun- ter. Wherever there is a doubt let good feeling decide. And sutely, dear- est, if any one in the world an afford to act out the utmost desire of his be- nevolence without the possibility of mis- interpretation, it is yourself. . Of what worth else are your position and years?" "I will do so, Augusta," he said, and gathering up his papers, he took his brat and left the apartment. Mins. Hunter went to her dressing- room, where a• couple of raartua-makers were engaged in fitting the young ladies with ball and street dresses. As she en: tared, she heard the voice of Miss Hon- oria in fretful complaint. "I really never imagined aueh countri- fied notions; but country girls are so queer " „ r w ♦ • In the meantime, if any one is inter- ested in knowing it, Miss Honoria had Sir Henry Percival all to herself in the drawing -room. And the young English- man had got himself into a beautiful entanglement. Meeting with his relatives Mr. and Mre. Hunter, in London, -and joining their party for the sake of coin- ing over to the United States and see- ing the American people at home, he.hed been attracted by the superficial beauty of Honoria's face, and ;during the lona sea voyage had paid her such "particular' attentions as had somewhat committed him with the beauty in love with the baronetcy. But at the very first sight of Maud Hunter, for the very first time in his life, he really and irrevocably lost his heart. And you may imagine how de- lightful it was, under such circumstances, to be tacitly given over by all parties to Miss Honoria. And he remained at Howlet Hall, apparently as the suitor of Honoria—really -as the lover of Maud —a position which neither Maud nor her parents had perceived. CHAPTER XXVII. Soon after the first of January, Mr. Hunter wrote to his agent in Washing- ton to engage for his use a furnished house in the "court end" of the city— and early in February he removed thith- er with his family. As soon as it was known that Daniel Hunter was established in his town house for the season, his doors were besieged by visitors, who had not enjoyed the op- portunity of paying their respects to the great statesman and diplomatist since his return from his long residence in Europe. It became an absolute ne- neeessity to appoint weekly even- ings upon which to receive his friends, in order to secure a portion of his time to himself and his family. And, there- fore, Mr. and Mrs. Hunter agreed upon Wednesday evening of each week upon which to see the world at home, and had their cards engraved to that effect. While they were together oonaulting over their visiting lise, Daniel Hunter "What is it, my dear?" inquired the lady. "Why, mamma, I said I really did wish papa would see Montplaisir's hair - dye, for, indeed, he really is as gray es e. rat! But, Maud here objects; she says—" "Yes! What said my Maud?" asked tap lady, turning to her daughter as Honoria paused, "I said, mamma, that I loved his gray' locks, and I do, They are his, and 1 should not know him witisout them." "Nor I, my clear," said Mrs. Hunter. "Oh, but that is so ridiculous nose, Maud! Why, papa is only l fty, and he is asy as an owl, and, really, he ought to dye his hair. I really do wish he would!" "And I really do assure you, Miss Honoria, if you speak of sick a thing in eonnection with your father, you will incur my displeasure;" said the lady, gravely. "But, mamma, why? Now you, to be sure, do not need e anything like that. You look twenty yera younger than papa. -You have no gray hairs. Your head is as raven black as ever." "No," said Augusta, with emotion, "because he has sheltered it so well. His hair is bleached by the storms of life that have beaten on his head; and mine is unfaded because he has leaned over me, and sheltered me with himself; be- muse, notwithstanding all the trials and sorrows and casualties of life, he his made me so content. Yes! so happy. God bless his premature grey hair! it is a crown of glory descended upon Itis head." The lady's hurt was deeply moved by a life's memories rushing up- on her; yet, thinking that she had at first spoken somewhat coolly to poor j;llen's frivolous child, she drew the young girl to her, and kissed her cheek, saying, gently: "I am net displeased with you, iny, dee,r, yoeedid but Mis- take. When you shins Yorigcr,. and know and feel more, you may see a deeper beauty and deeper meaning in grey hair than you ever saw in black or auburn tresses." Engagements of every description crowded upon the hunters, and it was just impossible to evade or escape them. Every morning there were calls to make or receive, or shopping or sight-seeing to do, or some great debate in Congresa to hear. Every day there was a dinner party at home or abroad. Every even- ing a ball or a reception somewhere, or a party made up for the opera, the thea- tre, or a concert. Anti so every hour of the day, and every day of the week, ex- cept the Sabbath, was filled up. And Daniel Hunter laughed, and said: "Weil, wellt let's yield the point! Let the world have us while we are here. By -arid -by we shall be at home" And the beautiful Maud Hunter re- ceived an honor, to which, in her mod- esty and humility, the maiden had cer- tainly never aspired—she became the reigning belle, the toast, the divinity, the rage, the enthusiasm of the fashion- able world at Washington. Mis. Hunter always presided at her daughter'" toilet, and perhaps it was quite as much to her mother's exgiusite taste as to her own exceeding grace and love- liness that the. maiden owed her posi- tion as queen of fashion, as well as of beauty. Whatever style of dress Miss Hunter originated, at once became the prevailing mode, and was immediately adopted by ladies of all height and com- plexion—by the majestic and 'the petite —the brunette and the blonde—the fleshy and the fragile --the pale and the blooming—whether it became them or not. 0f her it was true that: Beauty watched to imitate And gather from her air and gait The graces of its queen. Doubtless there hstd been ethee 'inelies in Washington city. Seas atter season they had suecessivela and successfully electrified the fashionable circles there. Each winter had witnessed the rise, cul- mination and decline ofa new star in fashion's hemisphere. But they—eine and all, had been spoiled by adulation even in •their school days --were full of the pride and vanity "of conscious beau- ty born;" were unnatural, artificial, af- fected—the Juno -like, with lofty and im- perial airs --the sylph -like, with poetic and sentimental graces. Maud erns dif- ferent from all those—the child of beau= ty, genius and goodness, she was the un- spoiled child of nature as truly. The charm—the winning and endear- ing charm of Maud Hunter's beauty was her innocent consciousness of its pos- session and of its effect. She really did not know that she was the most beauti- ful and most admired girl in the city. And all the adulation she received, she ;simply accepted as offered solely to Daniel Hunter's slaughterf. Her mother bad ever been her tdea.l operfect beau- ty; and if ever the widen had a•.vaie personal .desire,• it was, that, tier own hair and eyes had been dare, like' het mother's, and her father's''and Falcon- er's.It was this sweet humility and modesty' that so endeared her to all hearts -that subdued the feeling of envy and silenced the tongue of detraction in her rivals; that deepened admiration into love. West a disinterested love was the sentiment she awakened in all, even the coldest, the most worldly hearts. Old men and maidens, young hien and matrons, all who looked upon the bean- tiful girl, felt their hearts drawn to her —looked upon her and loved her. And in the meantime, how did poor Falconer bear this? Eating his own heart in sullen rage. His alrnost fear was realized—his "Star of Silver Creek" had risen upon the city --and for one poor lover, had a toren full of adorers. Rumor also guve her in marriage. It was said that the beautiful Miss Hunter and the young English baronet, seen al- ways in her company, were affianced, and that that was the reason why the young lady received the adulation ot all others with such gentle indifference. All these rumors reached the poor fel- low In his studio, and he ground his teeth in silent torture—the harpies of jealousy, rage and despair were gnawing at his heart. "1 knew it," he growled to himself; "I knew it! I said so! I told iter of itl Oh! prophetic soul of mine! I foretold that she had only to be seen to be wor- shipped, and only to be worshipped to bo won!" And to relieve himself and express his sentiments, he flew to his art, and made a model of the Laocoon strangled by serpents, and shoving a countenance so diabolical with anguish, despair and magignitj•, as could only be inspired : y such a nate of mind as that of the art- ist. Be seldom went out, for be was to- tally unconnected in the city, and he seorefully rejected the geed offices of the only man who both could and would have introduced hint into society. He would not honor Mr. hunter's. card with any sort of notice; when he first got it, he took it up, and aurned it about with a hitter and sour smile, and read, "Dan- iel Hunter receives Wednesday evenings at 8 o'clodk," and said: "'Daniel Hunter l' Just see the ar- rogance of that man! just see the pride that apes humility!' Another man would have written Mr. Daniel Hunter, but he writes Daniel Hunter as if it were Julius Caesar!. And it deceives the people, tool Pah! how I hate hum- bug!" and so saying he tossed the card over his shoulder, and hammered away at his work, digging vicious furrows in the unlucky brow of the Laocoon, 0 44) 04D430044441349040400000400242: *53 - Most people know than if they have been sick they need Scof�"<,�' mzet1.� .sion to bring back health and strength. But the strongest point about Scott's Eirsg d siQrg is that you don't have to be sick to get results from its It keeps up the athlete's strength, puts fat on thin people, makes a fretful baby happy, brings colon to a pale girls cheeks, and pre- vents re . vents coughs, colds and consumption. Fo©d in concentrated form for sick and well, young and old, rich and poor.attains no drugs and rig alcohol. And it co h 1. DRUGGISTS' ALL ecp 0 0 �r BOo. AND 444 "Half A Bottle CURED HER Rheumatism" And all this while Daniel Hunter was silently and secretly watching over the boy, and promoting his interests. He lost no opportunity of recommending the young sculptor to his friends. And all commissions for busts, medallions, statu- ettes, etc., which Falconer received dur- ing the winter, and which, with an artist's pleasant egotism, he ascribed solely to his own merits, were entirely owed to Daniel hunter's exertion and influence in his behalf. Falconer never saw Maud except at church, or in the ladies' gallery of the Senate, or in the carriage on the avenue, or at some concert or opera, and then she was always with her parents and the odious Sir henry Percival. And the boy was too proud and resentful to approach her under such circumstances. So passed the season until it drew near its close. Congress adjourned on the 4th of March, and the fashionable world was preparing ot leave Washing- ton. Falconer did not know, and scorned to inquire, whether Daniel Hunter and his family would leave with the others. But he had not spoken with Maud since her arrival in the city, nor, ht fact, since their separation at the altar. And now an intense, irresistible longing to speak to her, to hear her speak, tool: posses- sion of his soul. The President's haat reception was to be held on the evening of the 3rd of March, and all the world was expected to be there. The Hunters would be pres- ent, of course. And Falconer O'Leary resolved to go and enjoy perhaps the last opportunity ,he should have of see- ing and speaking to Maud. This is the kind of proof that convinces :-- "I advised a friend, who had Rheumatism in both feet, to try AJAX OIL. Half a bottle completely cured her. She says 'AJAX OIL is undoubtedly the best remedy made.' I shall be glad to recommend it to all, who suffer from Rheumatism." THEO. SCAIFE, Cashier, King Edward Hotel, Toronto. 8 ounce bottle of Ajax Oil, sent to any address on receiptof price, $2.00. Ajax Oil Co. , Toronto, Ont. 8 ante -chambers into the drawing -roots, where the President received his friends. This room was quite as much crowded as any he -had toiled through. He glanced at the centre of +the room, where the chief, magistrate stood, attended by the marshal and other civic awl military officers; and shook hands with all com- ers' among those hundreds, until Fal- enoor had compassion on the muscles of the old man's right arm, and ,won- dered if it were possible he could go en- ttrely through with the multitude. The did not linger there; be did not care eA iota for the President, who was 'not of his thinking in pplitics; besides, he theaght the best feeling was to be shown in not helping to tiro that aged hand to deathe so, without: waiting to shake -'hands with his excellency, he worked his way through the crowd and entered the "east room"—the grand saloon of the Presidential mansion. (To be continued.) A JOLT TO A JiNGO. The Toronto Saturday Night has the following incident: A gooa story has reached the city concerning a speech recently delivered in Washington, D. C., by Mr. J. A. Mac- donald, editor of the Globe. Mr. Macdon- ald, who has been much in demand as a public speaker, was one of the leading orators at a big Y. M. C. A. gathering at the American capital a few weeks So' when the evening came, he made a careful toilet, and set out for the Presi- dential mansion. The numerous car- riages of all descriptions, with their horses' heads turned thitherward, the crowd of carriages lining the avenue, and thronging the drive through the lawn, and ranged before the mansion, admon- ished this poor, solitary foot -passenger how great the press of wealthy, fashion- able, or distinguished visitors would be. He entered the grounds by the side gate, and there he found plenty of company in the humbler visitors that thronged the pave& foot -way, and were hurrying on to the most democratic assembly in the world. He went on, and the nearer he approached the mansion, the thicker, the more impassable became the crowd. He arrived at its portals, and. found the steps, halls and passages literally block- ed up with the multitude, who had come to pay their last respects to the most popular President the country had seen since the days of Washington. Slowly, and with great difficulty, he "worked his passage" through Balis and ago. The meetings were held in a big . hall which accommodated about 8,000 people. The Toronto editor was on the programme for the second night. One of the speakers on the first night_ was the Governor of ono of the Caro- linas—a big, fat, clean-shaven man, seeming to be the personification of the being the illustrated papers ar fond of portraying as the politician of the beef trust type. Even though it was an in- ternational occasion, and many of the ambassadors of foreign powers had seats on the platform, he ohose to grow eloquent in a jingoistic strain. In loud tones he dilated on the magnificent resources of the country and reminded them that the United States supplied the world with -fifty per cent, of this, eighty per cent. of that and ninety per cent. of something else. Among other things he said the United States supplied the world with ninety-seven per cent. of peanuts. ' Annoyed at this inopportune jingoism, some of those present asked Mr. Mao- donald to say something in his speech on the following night to offset it. Others facetiously dared him to use the word peanuts. He did both. As he rose to speak he was encouraged by three Oan- adians, who occupied seats at the front of the hall, who rose and sang "Tho Ma- ple Leaf." His subject was "The Call of the Nation," and he pointed out that the greatness of a nation did not consist alone in the magnificence of its re- sources or the length of its railways. Then he warned up with his robust elo- quence. It may be true," he said "as we were so beautifully and eloquently told last night that you supply the world with ninety-seven per cent, of its peanuts, but it is rase true that your mills are starving for the pulp from the forests of New Brunswick and Quebec. As the nations of the old world watch the growth and de- velopment of this North American continent, what a noble sight it will he to see on the northern half a nation built upon a pile of pulpwood and on the southern half a nation built on a pile of peanuts." The point told, but the Americans took it rami na.turedly anis joined in the general cheer. Were Nagged by Their Wives. Rip Van W'ingle. Socrates. Petruchio. Agamemnon. Joseph (.largery. Solomon. Mr. Caudle. Mr. Ir. Peck. Beadle Bumble. Any additions sent in to this list will be regarded in the strictest confidence. Mrs. Mluggius•--'mould you call Mrs.