Rensselaer Republican, Volume 19, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 March 1887 — FOR LOVE, NOT RICHES. [ARTICLE]

FOR LOVE, NOT RICHES.

BY MRS. H. N. BARFELL.

’Twas a bright, lovely, life-giving morning in June. The fast express tain gpcedihg.through some of the loveliest New England scenery was carrying- Millie Mayhew home to spend the summer Vacation. Two gushing young ladies occupied a sent quite near Millie, and a very plainly-dressed, silent vouug gentleman occupied the seat beside her. ; \ - The coach having been somewhat crowded when she entered he had kindly offered to share hie seat with her. From the conversation of the young ladies, which they unavoidably overheard, the silent conple learned that they were on their way to visit an aunt who®iived in the village adjoining Millie’s home. “I think I’ Shalt be delighted with the place,” commented one of the young ladies. • “Oh, no doubt about that, providing you find that perfectly charming place—Laurel Grove —coming into your possession,” tauntingly retorted the other. “Now, Kate Vaine, yen know that you are only jealous because you are afraid that you won’t succeed in catching John Fletcher yourself.” “Oh, come now, sister Hit, you need not fly off like that. You know I’m not the least bit jealous. lam only going to try to outshine you, to pay you vff for some of the mean tricks you have played on me. I think I'd not want to marry that horrid old rake. Lase Armstrong says that be is awful fast; a reckless spendthrift, and extravagantly fond of gambling,” Kate informed her sister. “Whaf do I care for what Lase Armstrong says? You know a man is expected to leave off some of his fast habits and settle down when he marries.” “Oh, I hope he is hahdsome, gallant, and all that!" exclaimed Kit, betraying a strange mingling of vexation and interest. The above conversation was carried on in boarding-school French, and just at this point Millie leaned over their seat, and, in the same dialect addressed them; “Pardon me, ladies, but permit me to inform you" that you have been misinformed with regard to Mr. Fletcher’s character. And-don't you thrnkthat it wonld beurore prudent, not to say charitable, not to make comments so publicly on persons to whom you are strangers evidently.” “What is the gentleman to vou?” discretly inquired dauntless Rithilda. “A very near neighbor. Miss,” with a haughtiness that had something like mischief in it, which a close observer might have noticed. This response had the effect of a coldWater rfotteAe on the spirits of the fair schemers. They sat in silence until the train readied the next station, where they abruptly left The coach. “Then you are a neighbor of this wonderful Mr. Fletcher?” asked the hitherto silent gentleman beside Millie. “Perhaps you are able to give me a little information with regard to him, that may bene tit me.” “Me? No! Oh, no! I—l don’t mind telling you, though; you look honest. I have not the honor of that worthy gentleman's acquaintance, and know as little about him as you do, perhaps. I only know that years and years ago he purchased Laurel Grove, but has never lived there, yet he has had it improved wonderfully, and it is a most delightfully lovely place. I wish it were my home.” “Then may I inquire why you so valiantly defended one who is an entire stranger'to you?” ' ' ■ ■■ ■ - “Oh. the truth is—and I may as well own it—l don't like the style of those girls, and the—l suppose rather ungracious—desire to snub their vanity and behold theirchagrin became irresistible. He may be all they picture him; but I don’t believe it,” decide?.ly. . “And why don't you believe it?” “Well, he is a cousin or something to the Vandarzens, of Stafford—people of culture. refinement, and of high standing in society—and they speak of him in the highest terms, papa says.” “In that cake you inighf outshine those other ladies and gain the Laurels for a home," quizzically. “b’h, mercy! no! .Xcould never do that!” blushing, and looking a little confused for a moment. “Why not? Don’t you think you are pretty enough?” with mirth in his deep, rich, resonant voice. “No, not that. I did not think of that. •But then, I'm not. so very horrid looking, am I?” with a saucy witchery in her manner. “Oh. ho. I think you are quite pretty.” “Well, that settles that point, then. But, do you know that, although I like to be pretty, I don’t so much care for a. beautiful face as for a beautiful heart?" a shade of thoughtfulness overspreading her countenance as she moralized, and with a pretty, sweet grace the words fell from her cherryripe lips. “Beauty Of the face or form may vanish; but that of the heart never will, and will continue to grow as long as we cultivate it.” Her companion looked a little puzzled, and silence reigned for some moments; then she continued: “I could never marry a handsome man if he were not good, too. Besides, I abhor old bachelors—the reason I could not think of marrying the owner of the Laurels. He must be pretty old now. I was only six when he was here. Oh; my! I would rather many his gardener or steward, if he were a nice young man, and jtlOTedhiuti" “That S “strange. Yet I am glad you Baid' that. But do you not think that that would be a misalliance?” questioned he,while just the suspicion of a twinkle lutked in the depths of his dark eyes.' “What is strange? That I would rather many a nice poor man because he is young and I loved him than a stupid oh! bachelor for his wealth? Of course it would not be a misalliance if he were worthy.” “No, not just |hat I should have said the coincidence i.s strange; I am the steward of the Laurels.” “Oh!” and she broke out into a low, merry, silvery laugh, while a faint flush overspread her face. "Then we are to be neighbors,” she remarked,' interestedly. - ,■ > ft—j “Yes, I am happy to know," .

“Well, if we are to be peigbbors, Tsuppose we may as well be friends and know each other’s names," suggested she, blithely. “As you please; I’m sure I should be most happily honored by such an arrangement. They call me Jack Moses,” he politely replied, with an amused twinkle in his eye, and a pleased expression overspread his strong, handsome, intelligent race. . “And they call me ‘Madcap Millie;’ but then I was christened Millicent. My father is Col. Mathew, of Rock-Mere Hall," responded Millie, with a very ceremonious air, and then continued; "Now, I suppose we are properly introduced,” drawing her face and form into the apishness of primness, and which her companion could not repress a very broad smile indeed. Casting a sly glance at him, she caught the amused smile and compressed her lips in mock staidness. For a moment smiles and dimples played at hide-and-seek over her fair, childish face. The impulse was 100 strong, and again | the broke into rippjiuo, musical laughter, [ and turning on him, with pretended stern- j ne«s, she demanded: “Now what are you laughing at? Don’t I you see you have spoiled my air of pro- j priety?" Suddenly, as if a new idea had struck 1 her, she exclaimed; “Why, Mr. Moses, you must know Mr. I Fletcher, and can tell me something about 1 him,” with a pretty, modest eagerness. “Unfortunately I cannot give you the in- : formation desired, Miss Mayhew, having j never met the gentleman.” “And you his steward,” with astonishment in her expression. \

“1 w as engaged through his trusty agent,” he quietly replied. “Now," thought Millie, “I must be a little more decorous or I will disgust him with my hoydenish manners.” For three hours they chatted almost like old friends; and the morning that Millie had expected would drag so heavily bad passed very pleasantly indeed, and before she could believe it they were at_ their destination. By this time Millie bad settled it in her mind that Jack Moses was quite a nice young man; much nicer in fact than the owner of the Laurels possibly could be. He assisted her in getting off of the train- Then she, leaving Jack to follow at his leisure with the handbags and bundles, rushed across the platform at her brother Aaron, whom she discovered there awaiting her arrival. “Well, Mad, I see you have as much life as ever. But don’t bite off my nose!” proi tested Aaron, playfully holding her off with one band, while with the other he vigorously rubbed the spot she htid kissed. “ ‘Said Aaron to Moses, lets’s bile off our noses,’" quoth Millie, 1 the while pulling her brother in the direction of Jack Moses. “Come, let me introduce you to our newneighbor—Mr. Jack Moises, the new'steward at Laurel Grove. Mr. Moses, my brother.” Aaron looked surprised, but held out his hand to the gentle, manly-looking steward. They both smiled pleasantly, and, apparently favorably impressed with each other, were very soOu making soma ireneral re-, marks and explanations incident to the occasion. which ended in a tacit understanding of friendly relations, notwithstanding Mr. Moses was only a stew ard. The following day Millie took-llover and ran down to |ier favorite resort iu the grove joining Laurel Grove place, to have a romp free and undisturbed. But ere she had run and jumped across the little, musical, babbling brook a halfdozen times, sometimes beating Rover and sometimes being beaten by her great shaggy companion; two or three times she had fallen on the soft grass—knocked down by Rover’s awkward playfulness, when she was startled by a cherry,- rich- voice laughingly call out: "Miss ilayhew-jionr ..escort is not very chivalrous, or he would not be- so rude as' to knock you down.” -v—Instantly Millie recognized the voice as that of the steward of Laurel Grove. At first she was a little confused, but soon recovered her wanted composure and talked of the surrounding beauties quite interestedly. | In some way, apparently by accident, they met nearly ever}’ pleasant day. Mr. Moses was invited to Rock-Mere Hall by the Colonel and his son; and they sometimes walked over the Laurel Grove place, accompanied by Jack; often spending hours in his company, talking of the proposed changes that were to be made on the grand old place. One and all pronounced the steward a gentleman of intelligence and culture; quite worthy of their friendship. Thus a month had passed, when one day Millie inquired of Jack if Mr. Fletcher was coming home at all that summer? Jack replied that he thought not, as he bad communicated to him that he had some very important business at his stop-ping-place that would require some months to arrange. . A few days thereafter Millie, was out .for a 'walk' wh'en'slie ran uj on the two young ladies of the train episode, strolling through the grounds of Laurel Grove. , a .„ X They at once recognized Millie, and their first impulse was to beat a hasty retreat; i but after exchanging a few words in an ■ undertone they boldly walked up to her, ! smilingly fiddressing her, and entered into a spr;glrtly conversation, on the beauties and grandeur of the scenery. They laughed lightly over their mistake on the occasion of their, first meeting, begging Millie. »s a special favor, not to mention the ridiculous occurrence to Mr. Fletcher when he should return to the Laurels. ' “ ■ . W ith a mischievous twinkle in her eyes, Millie re-ponded: “Oh, rest ea<v about that; I’ll not trouble myself to meddle with your aspirations. Besides, if 1 wishi <1 ever so, much to do so. I should get awfully tired of waiting in this ease.” “WhyjsQ? ” inquir ed Rit, anxiously, ’ “Don’t yon know that he is not to honor us with his presence at the l aurels this snmmer?’.’ with pro voking significance tn her tone, and a pleased S|Uiile. Hit and Kate looked at each ether for az moment"!!! perplexity. Then? Bit asked, with eagerness in her maimer: “Is that really the truth, Miss Mayhew? How do you know this?" : "r—----“I got my information from his steward; the gentleman who was with 'me on the train that dav.” replied Millie, curtly. ’Consternation Hunched Rithilda’s face, and unceremoniously they fled to never again return to that vicinity. The summer vacation passed quickly ' with Millie. Life seeni.ed a higher, brighter [existence than she ever before had ex- ’ AH-nature KFerned more bea'riti- ' ful and bright; her soul was thrilled with a new power and an exquisitely delightful sensation of contentnjent and pure joy. The time for returning to the Academy was drawing near. It was no longer of any use to try to deceive herself; she loved Jack de sf erately. and now she could never make a brilliant match. But she didn’t care; so she told herself, as, one afternoon, she walked along the river banks toward Laurel Grove. , She started, as, near a boat, plunged in deep reflection, she came across Jack Moses. . He greeted her warmly, and walked on with her into the wild wood, and they sat down on the mossy bank of the

babbling brook, she mentally reviewing the situation that so deeply affected her. A tenderly caressing hand was for a moment laid on her strnny beadr then; Jack Moses threw himself on the ground beside her. “Millie, is your opinion at this moment in harmony with the declaration you made on the occasion of our first meeting?” he abruptly questioned, with intense enrnestness and passion in his tone and manner. “1 don’t know why I should change,"she answered, blushing, her voice soft and low, and her eyes drooping. “Then, Millie,” taking both of her shapely hands in the firm, warm clasp of his strong ones, and with a thrilling, tender pathos in his riclily-sweet, deep Avbi'c6~,“ I “you would not think me presumptuous for i loving you, would you, darling?” he plead- [ ingly asked. . . Her bosom heaved; heart throbbed almost painfully; she raised her dewy eyes to his; again they dropped beneath his ardent gaze. A tremor shook her frame; her Landa trembled in his; but no words escaped her quiveringjips, yet he hacl his answer. He poured out his soul in burning, passionate eloquence, and laid his heart at her feet. He took her in his strong arms and pressed her to his heart. “Ob, my darling! can you give yourself into the keeping of a poor man who would devote his life to your comfort and pfcasure —one who loves you better than all else Iwsides on earth? Would yon consider it a misalliance to many me, Millie?” She wound her arms around- his neck and her answer was the seal of their betrothal. He folded her closer within his strong protecting arms and rained passionate kisses upon her answering lips. When she had regained her voice she timidly asked:

“Do my parents know, Jack?” “Yes, darling, they know all, and I-long have had their permission to woo and win their precious treasure.” A happy, contented smile rested on her beautiful face. Then loosening his clasp of her lithe form he continued: “Now, sweetheart, are you quite sure that you will never regret not having made a ‘brilliant match?’ Are you quite sure, love?” “Oh, Jack!” impulsively winding her plump, white arms -around his-neck, “I love you! Oh, I love you! how much, I never can tell! I would not loose our heaven of love for all the gorgeous display that Sardi's wealth can afford. The wealth of the world is as nothing in the balance against the wealth of our lovo. Are you satisfied, Jack, dear?” “A thousand times yes, mj- love;” kissing her passionately. “It is the sweetest knowledge my heart ever possessed, my darling, sweet one. And now, little one, could you forgive me if I have deceived you in one respect?” A startled look came into her eyes, and her cheeks slightly paled. “Don’t bo frightened, Millie, darling. It was your own sweet self that forced me to the deception, else I had no hope of winning you; besides, I wanted to he loved for myself, and not for my wealth.” “Oh, is that all?” and a sigh of relief escnjied her. “No, not quite all—l am John Alos’es Fletcher, of Laurel Grove; that 'stupid old bacheler,’ ” slyly humorous and mildly triumphant. “You—you, Jack—you, Mr. Fletcher?” confusedly; then collecting her thoughts, she continued: “Why, Jack, you said that you were his steward; that you were engaged by his ageut, and that you had never met him!” looking qtiestiohingly into his eyes, as if to read the truth in their beautifully placid and expressive, dark; liquid depths. “I am acting as my own steward: I engaged myself, and it is an evident fact that, a man cannot meet himself.” At tiris-exphmatron.' they laughed heartily, and Millie seemed satisfied, as she could not help being with her pure, large heart, overflowing with the joy of perfect, soulful, blissful love. Her lover accompanied her to her home, where it was arranged that she should return to school for the coming year. Then when the gold and scarlet should deck the stately maples that crowned Rock-Mere Hall, the owner of Laurel Grove should receive his bride and Millie would accept of the Laurels for her home.