Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1876-04-01
The Old Clocks s Secret.


"You shall marry Godfrey Marsh,
Marcia, Mrs. Stanhope said, setting
her teeth together, in that grim fash
ion Of hers, which told that her mind
was fully made up. ''He is rich. He
can give you home second to none
in all the country round. He can give
you position and influence"
Il don't want a home, il have gotto
marry for that, and nothing else," an
swered Marcia, bitterly. II don't
care for all the position and influence
Godfrey Marsh can give me, if I have
got to accept him with them. I hate
him. If 1 married him I would not
live with him year"
"You are a foolish GIRL" her mother
answered, sternly. "a very foolish
girl There isn't another girl in Hill
bury that wouldn't jump at the
chance you have. And I don't be-
lieve you will let it slip out of your
hands when you think it over as a
sensible girl should"
Il shall never change my mind"
answered Marcia, with something Of
her mothers grim determination in
her voice. "Never."
"You are thinking of Dick Gresham,
Of course" sneered Mrs. Stanhope.
HE is a much more desirable fellow
than Godfrey Marsh, I suppose. in
fer that you would not hesitate to
accept the position and influence he
could give you, as Mrs. Gresham.
II have never said anything Of the
kind" answered Marcia, with rising
flush. ''He has never asked me to
say anything of the kind, and I cer-
tainly shall wait till I am asked.
Dick Gresham is an honest, respecta-
BILE man, and the peer Of Godfrey
Marsh in every way. Godfrey Marsh's
money count out of the question en-
tirely"
81 understand how the case stands"
said Mrs. Stanhope, sternly. II have
told you before, and repeat it again,
that you may understand me fully
never, with my consent, shall you
marry Dick Gresham. I don't be-
lieve he cares half as much for you as
you do for him. If he does, he doesn't
show it as most men are apt to do,
and you will save good deal of gossip
if you keep your fancy for him a
little more to yourself. People are
not blind"
And then Mrs. Stanhope went out,
and Marcia sat and thought. Those
last words of her mothers might hold
Il good deal Of truth in them. She
had sometimes wondered if Dick
Gresham did care for her as she ac-
knowledged to herself that she cared
for him? He was not like most men. 1t
was not in his nature to be demon
stratiye. Perhaps he was waiting to
be sure of his own heart-and of her
regard for him. She had been with
him a good deal. She had wondered
more than once if he loved her. If
he did, he had never told her so. She
believed that he did, however.
There was the rattle of carriage
wheels at the gate. She looked out
with frown gathering on her face.
She knew who was there, we'll
enough.
''Is Marcia at home?" she heard
Godfrey Marsh ask her mother. If
she is, 1 should like to take her out
for drive this afternoon.
yes" she heard her mother reply.
She'll be delighted to 60. I'll call
her."
Il won't CO." she thought, hurried
ly, with little angry gesture, Then
she thought better Of that decision.
1t would offend her mother if she re-
fused, and their life was not a very
harmonious one Of late. And perhaps
Dick Gresham might see them, and
conclude to speak out.
So she got ready and went.
While she was gone, Dick Gresham
came to see her. Mrs. Stanhope met
him coldly, but politely.
He inquired for Marcia.
''She has gone out to ride with Mr..
Godfrey Marsh,'' Mrs. Stanhope
answered, with an inward chuckle at
the discounted look on Dicks face.
II am very sorry" he said. IT
wanted to see her very much. I am
going away this evening, and do not
know how long 1 shall be gone, nor
how far shall go. 1 wanted to say
something to her before I went"
Dick knew that Mrs. Stanhope hated
him. He felt it. But he was frank
and honest with her.
81 can't say when she will be back"
Mrs. Stanhope said. 81 think Mr..
Marsh expects to stop to tea. From
that, I infer that they will be gone
most of the afternoon"
Eyes, quite likely" answered Dick,
absently. Il shall not see her, then.
but 1 might write what wanted to
say, and leave it for you to give her."
eyes, you could do that" she said
''you will find pen and paper in the
secretary there"
TITS the best I can do" thought
Dick. I'D much rather have said it;
but, if can't do that I'll have to dc
the next best thing"
He wrote down what he came to say
to Marcia Stanhope, and sealed it in
an envelope, upon which he wrote
her name.
"If you will give it to her." he said,
laying it down upon the table by Mrs.
Stanhope, "you will be doing me a
favor. had rather not tell you what
I have written, though perhaps you
have a right to know. Marcia may
tell you."
Then he said goodbye and went
aWaY