The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1876-01-07
SELECT STORY.
THE OLD CLOCKS SECRET.


made up. "He is rich. He can give you
home second to none in all the country
round He can give you position and in
iuence."
Il don't want homo, il have gcs to
marry for that. and nothing else" an
swered Marcia, bitterly. II don't care
Tor all the position and influence God
frey Marsh can give me, if have got to
accept him with them. hate him. IL
married him would not live with him
ayear."
"You are a foolish girl" her mother
answered. sternIy. "A very foolish girl
There isn't another gIFl in Hilbury that
wonldn't jump at the chance yon have.
And I don't believe you will let it slip
ont Of yOnr hands when you think it
over % a sensible girl shonld"
u shall never change my mind" an
~wsred Marcia, with something Of her
mothers grim determination in her
vnice "Never"
"You are thinking Of Dick Gresham.
of course" sneered Mrs. Stanhope. "He
is much more desirable fellow than
Godfrey Marsh, ! suppose. infer thai
you would not hesitate to accept the
position and influence he could give you,
az Mrs. Gresham"
~ have never said anything of the
kind" answered Marcia, with rising
flush. HE has never asked me to say
anything of the kind, and / certainly
shall wait till am asked. Dick Gre--
ham is an honest. respectable man, and
the peer of God frey Marsh ia every way.
Godfrey Marsh's money count out Of
athe question entirely"
81 understand how the case stands,''
paid Mrs. Stanhope, sternly. 81 have
told you beforep~an ] repeat it again,
you msS understand me fully
Si.h my consent, shall you marry
TDick Gresham. ] don't believe he cares
half as much for you as You do for him.
II he does, he doesn't show il as most
men are apt to do, and you viii save a
good deal Of gossip If you keep your
fancy for him little more to yourself.
People are not blind"
And then Mrs. SIanhope went out and
Marcia sat and thought. Those last words
OIL her mothers might hold good deal
Of truth in them. She had sometime
NEondered if Dick Gresham did care for
per as she acknowledged to herself tina.
he cared for him? He was not like most
ien. It was not in his nature to be de-
a lonstratIve. Perhaps he was waiting
70 be sure OF his own heart-and of her
regard for him. She had been with him
good deal She had wondered more
lan once If be loved her. If he did,
10 had never told her so. She believed
That he did, however
at the gate. She looked out with n
frown gathering on her face. She knew
who was there, well enough.
as Marcia at homer" she heard God
: frey Marsh ask her nrother. If she is. ]
should like to take her ont for drive
this afternoon"
"Yes," she heard her mother reply
''She'll be delighted to go. III call her" "
81 won't GO" she thought, hnrriedIy,
with little angry gesture. Then she
thought better of that decision. II would
offend her mother if she refused. and
their life was not very harmonious one
. d. late. = Assd perhaps Dick Gresham
might see them, and conclude to speak
out.
50 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. St&nhope answer
ed. with an inward chuckle at the dis
eomfted look on Dicks face.
~ am very sorry" he said. "I wanted
to see her very much. am going away
this evening, and ] do not know how
sgong / shall be gone, nor how far shall
Sgo. wanted to say something to her
before I went" Dick knew that Mrs.
Atanhope hated him. He felt it. But
Ae was frank and honest with her.
II 81 can't say when she will be back, !"
HlMrs. Slanhope said. Il think Mr. Marsh
expects TO stop to tea. From that, / in
n fer that they will be gone most of the af-
srnoon."
I'll eyes, quite likely" answered Dick,
Slabsently. Il shall MT see her, then, but
II might write what wanted TO say, and
leave i. for you to give her."
HTes, -canld do that" she said;
"you will find pen ana qapsr in the sec
retary there"
SIT the best can do" thoueht Dick
"I'd rich rather have said it; e7if, IL
.nat III have to do the mex
best thing"
He wrote down what he came to say
to Marcia Stanhope. and sealed it in al
envelope, upon which he wrote her name
"If yon will give it TO her." he said
laying it down upon the table by Mrs
Stanhope, "you will be doing me a favor
/ bad rather not tell you what have
written, though perhaps you have I
right to know. Marcia may tell vou."
Then he said goodbye and went away
II have a right to know, according Il
his own admission" Mr.. Stanhope said
and tore away tho envelope. She rea6
his letter through carefully.
81 think fate is playing into my hands,
she gaid grimly. 1T will be quite a loni
time before your letter is answered, if
am not mistaken, Dick Gresham"
She went to the old clock in the corner
opened il, and dropped the letter dow
into ITS mysterious depths.
"Therep she said, shutting the doc
upon its secret, "that il disposed of safe
ly, think."
The next morning she spoke up sud
denly to Marcia, as they we're at work il
k1Uafhar.