The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1877-08-23

pleton continued:
"If you think my nephew has prop
erty in his own right, you were never
more mistaken. He is entirely depen-
dent on me; and if he commits the folly
he cOntemplates, | won't give him a
penny-nOt penny"
Here Mr.. Poppleton turned his eyes
upon the face opposite him, as if to see
what effect his words were producing.
All its bloom and brightness had van
ished, but he went pitilessly on.
"Of course, you can marry him if
you choose this is free country, and
people can make themselves as misera-
BILE as they like, | suppose. Only, |
feel ii my duty to warn you what the
inevitable consequences will be. Fred
can hardly take care of himself. You'll
have large family-poor people always
do have large families-and the result
will be poverty, misery and no end of
trouble"
This was not very encouraging pros
pect to look forward to, and Rose did
not look as if she considered it as such.
She made no reply, however, and Mr..
POppleton continued:
"On the other hand, if you will act
as sensibly and discreetly in the matter
as | think you will, on reflection, you
will never be sorry for it. You may
count on my protection and friendship
the friendship and protection of
Josiah Poppleton?"
Rose now spoke.
81 love Frederic"
"Don't answer me now" ," interrupted
Mr.. Poppleton, rising and turning to
to door; take time to think the matter
over. I'll be here tomorrow at the
same hour to get your decision. Only
remember, if you really do love my
nephew, that you will not take a course
that will ruin his prospects for life. "
"No wonder the young rascal is be-
witched," thought the old gentleman,
as he took his way homeward, "she is
certainly the most bewitching creature
| ever saw!'
Mr.. POppleton expected his nephew
back on the following day, and was,
therefore, all the more anxious that
the matter should be satisfactorily set
tied, promptly at the hour he had
named to Rose, he was on hand to re-
ceive her decision.
"Mr. Poppleton, | cannot feel it
would be right for me to break my en-
gagement with your nephew; if he
chooses to give me up, that is another
thing. The thought of making trouble
between you two gives me more pain
than can tell you. What possible OBJ
lection can you have to me?"
Here poor Rose turned into tears.
"No objection to you, whatever, my
dear" said Mr., Poppleton, taking one
of the soft, white hands in both of his
son the contrary, think you the
most charming creature | ever saw y
"Why then are you unwilling that
should marry your nephew? ?"
because want to marry you my
self"
Rose started to her feet.
care Won i'm earnest, sir?'
81 was never more so in my life.
love you to distraction and shall con-
slider myself the happiest of men if you
will become Mrs. Josiah PoppletOn.'
Rose turned her tlashin eyes upon
the speaker with a look he never
forgot,
"If you were not Frederic's uncle
should express in very plain terms my
opinion of you. As it is, have only
to say that there is the door, and to ASK
you to go"
Mr.. Poppleton did not wait for d
second invitation.
On reaching the corner he looked
back, just in time to catch a glimpse OF
his nephew going in.
Feeling very much like one that had
been raised to great height and sci
down very suddenly, Mr.. POppletor
went home.
Going up to his own room, h,
marched to the mirror.
Josiah Poppleton," he said, shak.
ing his fist at the reflection there, "yor
are IA fraud, dolt, an idiot, donkey
You are scoundrel of the darkest dye
and If you were somebody else FC
punch your headw ~
Having thus relieved his feelings h,
sat down.
Half an hour later he heard hi
nephew's well-known step on the walk
Rushing to the head of the stairs, h,
bawled OUT
"John, say Pm sick, that Pm out
that can't see anybody"
But he was too late; Fred was in tn,
hall and half way up the stairs.
"Ah, uncle !" cried the Young man