Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1877-05-04

81 was speaking OF the young wo-
man who"
Mrs. Maybery was icily-severe,
but her husband cut it short.
$50 you were-pretty little thing
as ever 1 saw. A ladylike, graceful
little girl, with beautiful eyes enough
to excuse the boy for admiring her."
"Thc boy. You seem to have for
gotten your son is twenty-three-old
enough to fall in love with and mar
ry-even a poor, unknown girl you
were quixotic enough to invite to
your table"
"Twenty-three? So he is And
if he wants to marry beggar, and
she is y good vlrtuous girl-why
not?"
A little gasp of horror and dismay
was the only answer of which Mrs.
Mayberry was capable. .
"Grandpap'
Winnie's voice was so low that
Mr.. Wilmington only just heard it,
and when he looked up he saw the
girls crimson cheeks and her lovely,
dropping face.
Yes, Winnie. You want to tell
me something?"
She went up behind him and lean
ed her hot cheek caressingly against
his, her sweet, low voice whispering
her answer
"Grandpa, l want to tell you
something. Mr.. May--we--
Earnest has asked-he wants me to
oh, grandpa, can't you tell what it
isl"
He felt her cheek grow hotter
against his.
He reached up his hand and car
ressed the other one.
eyes, l can tell, dear. Earnest
has shown his uncommon good
sense by wanting you for a wife.
SO that is what comes of that dinner,
eh, Winnie?"
"And may I tell him you are will
ing, perfectly willing, grandpa?
Because I do love him, you know"
"And you are sure it isn't his mon
ey you are after, eh?"
She did not take umbrage at the
sharp question.
81 am at least sure it is not my
money he is after, grandpa" she re-
turned, laughing and pattlng his
cheek.
eyes you are at least sure of that;
there, hear the young man coming
himself. Shall l go, Winnle?"
1t was the "young man HIMSELF
Ernest Mayberry, with shadow of
deep trouble and distress on his face
as he came straight up to Winnie
and took her hand, then turned to
the old gentlemen.
"Until an hour ago I thought this
would be the proudest, happiest
hour of my life, sir, for l should
have asked you to give me Winnie
for my wife. Instead l must be con-
tent to only tell you how dearly |
love her, and how patiently and hard
| will work for her to give her the
home which she deserves-because,
Mr.. Wilmington, this morning the
house of Mayberry & Thurston fail
ed, and both families are beggars."
His handsome face was pale, but
hts eyes were bright with determi-
nation and braveness nothing could
daunt.
Winnie smiled back upon him, her
own cheeks paling.
"Never mind, Ernest, on my ac-
count, can wait too"
Old Mr.. Wilmington's eyes were
almost shut beneath the heavy,
trowning forehead, and quizzical
look was on his shrewd old face as
he listened.
"Gone mp, eh? Well, that's too
bad. You stay here and tell Win
ME 1 am just as willing she shall be
your wife when you want her, as if
nothing had happened, because l be-
lieve you can earn bread and butter
for both of you, and my Winnie is
contented little girl. Fll hobble
up to the office and see your father;
he and l were boys together; word
of sympathy won't come amiss from
me-"
And off he strobe, leaving the low
ers alone, getting over the distance
in remarkable time, and presenting
his wrinkled, weather-beaten old face
in Mayberry & Thurston's private
office, where Mr.. Mayberry sat alone
with rigid face and keen, troubled
eyes, that, nevertheless, lighted al
the sight of his old friend.
"Pm glad to see you, Wilmington
Sit down. The sight of man who
has not come to reproach me, is in
deed a comfort"
But Mr.. Wilmington did not sit
down.
He crossed the room to the table
at which MIR. Mayberry sat among
hopeless array of papers.
"There is no use wasting words al
time like this. Did you know May
berry, that your son has asked my
Winnie to marry him?"
Mr.. Mayberry's face lighted up q
second, then the gloom returned.
eff my son had fortune at his
command, as l thought he had yes
terday at this time, | would say
God speed you in your woolng OF
Winnie Wilmington AS it is-fol
the girls sake, disapprove."
$50 you haven't pound over and
above, eh, Mayberry?"
"There will be nothing-less than
nothing. l don't know that l really
care so much for myself, but Ernest
it is terrible thing to happen him
at the very beginning of his career
Mr.. Wilmington smiled gleefully
"Good. Neither do I care for my
self, but for Winnie, my little Win
ME. tell you what, Mayberry, per-
haps you will wonder if am crazy.
but I'll agree to settle quarter of q
million on Winnie the day she mar
ries your boy. And I'll lend you as
much more ifit'll be any use, and
I'll start the boy for himself if you
say so. Eh?"
Mr.. Mayberry looked at HIM il
speechless bewilderment.
Wilmington went on:
ct poda fortuna ont in India