Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1876-08-05
The Old Clocks Secret.

her mind was fully made up. He is tich.-
lie can give you home second to none in all
the country round He can give you position
and influence.
/ don't want a home, if have got to mar
ry for that and nothing else, answered Mar
cia, bitterly. Il don't care for all the position
and Influence Godfrey Marsh can give me, II
have got to accept him with them. ! hate
him. If married him would not live with
him year
You are foolish GIRL her mother an
swered sternly. "A very foolish girl. There
isn't another girl in Hilbury that wouldn't
Jump at the chance you have. And don't
believe you will let it slip out Of your hands
when you thuk it over as sensible girl
! should
L shall never change my mind, answered
Marcia, with something OF Der mothers grim
determination in her vcice. Never.
You are thinking of Dick Gresham, of
course snecrcd Mrs Stanbope. He is much
more desirable fellow than Godfrey Marsh, |
suppose. infer that you would not hesitate
to accept the position and influence he could
give you, as Mrs. Gresham
4 have never said anything Of The kind,
answered Marcia, with rising flush. He
has never asked NE to say anything Of the
kind and certainly shall wait till am asked.
/ Dick Gresham is an honest, respectable man,
and the peer Of Godfrey Marsh in every way.
GodIcy Marsh's money | count out Of the
| question entirely.
L understand how the case stands said
Mrs. Stanhope, sternly. L have told You be-
fore, and repeat it again, that you may
understand me fully-never, with my consent,
shall you marry Dick Gresham. ! don't be-
ieve he cares half as much for you as you do
for him. If he does, be 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 little more to yourself. People are
not blind
And then Mrs. Stanbope went out, aud
Marcia sat and thought. Those last words Of
her mothers might hold a good deal Of truth
n them. She had sometimes wondered if
Dick Gresham did not care for her as she
cared for him? lie was not like most men.
1t was not IN his nature to be dcmonstrative.
Perhaps he was waiting to be sure Of his own
hcart-and Of her regard for him. She had
been with him good deal She had wonder
ed more than once if he loved her. If be
did, lie 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 gath
eriug on her face. She knew who was there,
well enough
is Marcia at home ?? she heard Godfrey
Marsh ask her mother. If she is, | should
like to take her out for dive this afternoon.
Yes, she heard her mother reply. She'll
be delighted to go. I'll call her.
| won't go, she thought hurriedly, with a
little angry gesture. Then she thought bet
ter Of that decision. 1t would offend her
mother if she refused, and their life was not a
very harmonious one Of late. And perhaps
Dick Gresham might see them, and conclude
to speak out.
So they got ready and went.
Willie she was gone, Dick Gresham came to
see her Mrs. Stanhope met him coldly, but
politely.
lie inquired for Marcia.
She has gone out to ride with Mr.. Godfrey
Marsh, Mrs. Stanbope answered with an in
ward chuckle at the dscomftted look on Dicks
face.
lam very sorry he said, 4 wanted to see
her very much. | am going away this eve
ming, ard DO not know how long shall be
gone, nor how far | shall SO. wanted to
say something to her before / went. Dick
knew that Mrs Stanhope hated him. He felt
it. But he was frank aud honest with ler.
i can't say when she will be back Mrs.
Stauhope said 4 think Mr. Marsh expects
to stop to tea. From that, infer that they
will be gone most Of the afternoon
Yes, quite likely answered Dick, absently.
4 Shall Dot see her, then, but l might write
what wanted to say, and leave it for you to
give her.
Yes, you could do that she said you
will find pen and paper in the secretary there
It's The best can do thought Dick. I'd
much rather have said it but, if can't do
that I'll have to do the next best thing
lie wrote down what he came to say to
Marcia Stanhope, and sealed it in an envelope,
upon which he wrote her name.
IF you viii give it to her. he said, laying
it down upon the table by Mrs. Stauhope,
you will be doing ne favor. had rather
not to tell you what have written, though
perhaps you have right to know. Marcia
may tell you"
Then be said goodbye and went away.
i have right to know, according to bis
own admission Mrs. StanbOpe said, and tore
away the envelope. She read his letter
through carefully.
1 think f4te is playing into my hands, she
said grimly. twill be quite long time be-
fore your letter is answered, if am not mis-
taken, Dick Gresham
She went to the old clock in the corner,
opened it, and dropped the letter down into
its mysterious depths.