Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1871-01-19
contempt, which he could not, or cared
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passed the compliments OF the day,
when again the door opened and ano-
Their Young man entered. He was not
strikingly handsome, Like the other,
but his was the face of one That chill
dren love to linger near, women con-
fide in, and men trust.
Excuse me, but I have permission,
he said. "Mrs.. Cameron told me you
were entertaining your guests here. P"
Turning to greet Mr. Granger, the
young man saw the sufferer on the
lounge.
"Who have You herel Are you hurt,
sir?" he SAID, going up to the side OF
the old MAJ. and taking his hand.
Briefly Florence told of his fall; and
the look of admiration, nay, almost ad-
grafton, which beamed in William Hart
ley's eyes as they sought hers, ought to
have been the balm to entirely heal the
wound caused by Carl Grainger's look.
But il was not, just then, for Florence
had thought more of the handsome Carl
than any of the other young men who
visited the house She was dreadfully
disappointed to knoac him SO different
from hel thoughts.
The old man signitied his desire to
go; and when Brown returned with a
carriage, William Hartley, with almost
womanly gentleness, assisted him in,
and urged that he might accompany
him home. An approving look from
Florence, and he jumped in, closed the
door, and ordered the driver to the
street and number directed.
s'God bless you! You are a good
child. / shall never forget this day.
Perhaps I'll come to sec you again
some time" the old man said, when
leaving.
The same contemptuous expression
was again on Carl's face, and he said
sneeringly:
"Quite distinguished acquisition
to Miss Cameron's list OF acquaintanc-
esq
A deep flush mantled her fair brow,
but she deigned no word of reply.
Carl Granger saw he had been indis-
Greet, to say the least, and endeavored,
by putting forth his most fascinating
powers, to cast away the cloud that had
gathered on the face usually SO bright.
CARTS attempts were frrlltless. But
when On hour had passed, and William
Hartley returned, then, to his great
chagrin, he saw softer light glow in
her dark eyes, and her lips wreathed
with smiles that he had failed to draw
forth.
That night Carl Granger, determined
to know his fate, asked Florence to be
his wife, and, to her parents great dis
appointment, she kindly but firmly said
she "could not love him.
"Foolish girl Do you not know
that, besides his own fortune, Mr..
Granger is the only heir of an old
uncle, who is fabulously rich3" said
Mrs. Cameron.
Florence's fathers disappointment
was as keen as his wife's, for he felt his
foundation trembling, and knew before
long it must fall. And SO it was; be-
fore another year had passed the stately
mansion was no longer his. He was
almost penniless. But be was true,
loving father, and would not barter his
child's heart for gold. '
And SO, when William Hartley won
Florence, he took her not from home
of luxury, but one as humble as his
own Years rolled by, bringing with
them Joy aud sorrow, until six had
passed During the last one clouds
had gathered, swift and dark, over Will
liam Hartley and his loved ones; and
SO on Christmas morning, six years af-
ter the one when the strange old man
was helped by Florence, they were alb
solutely destitute.
81 wonder what has become of that
old mani" said William, during the
day. Il called few days after took
him home, to inquire how he was get
ting on, but he had gone from that
place.
"Do you know, William, to that old
man s sufierings you are indebted for
your wife, That day [ saw the differ
ence between you and Carl Granger.
His heartlessness frightened ME, and /
fled to you, and grew calm and happy"
said Florence, while beautiful flush
spread over her face, chasing away the
care-worn look of few moments be-
fore.
"You fled to poverty, toll, suffering.
Oh! my darling, l hoped to have shell
tered you from such. "
Il fled from worse Come, cheer
up, all will yet be well. did not tell
YOU, the last time was out, saw Carl
Granger very much intoxicated. He
is living now entirely on his expecta-
tons
"Mamma mamma! Kriss krin-
giles coming See See Hurrah Old
Kriss liked to have forgotten us, !
guess = cried little Willie, shouting
and clappinS his hands.
Florence arose to look out, when Il
knock sounded on the door; opening
which, she beheld standing before her
the cid man of whom she had just been
snac kinu