The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1877-05-11

her sweet, low voice whispering her
answer: "Grandpa, | want TO tell YOU
something. MIR. May-we-Ernest
has asked-he wants Inc to--oh, grand
pa, can't you tell what it isY'
lie felt her check grow hotter against
his. He reached up his hand and ca.
ressed the other one.
"Yes, ] can tell, dear. Ernest has
shown his uncommon good sense by
wanting you for his wife. So that Is
what comes of that dinner, eh, WINNER
"And may tell him that you arc
willing, perfectly willing, grandpa
Because do love him, you know"
"And YOU are sure il isn't his money
you are after, eh?
She did not take umbrage at the
sharp question.
81 am at least sure ii is not my money
he Is after, grandpa" she returned
laughing and patting his check.
eyes, you are at least sure of that
there, | hear the young man coming
himself. Shall l go, Winnie?'
1t was the "young man himself" Err.
nest Mayberry, with shadow of deer
trouble and distress on his face as he
came straight up TO Winnie and took
her hand, then turned TO the old gentle.
man.
"Until an hour ago thought this
would be the proudest, happiest hour OF
my life, sir, for should have asked You
to give me Winnie for my wife. In.
stead, [ must be content to only tell you
how dearly 1 love her, and how patient.
ly and hard will work for her to give
her the home which she deserves-be-
cause, Mr.. Wilmington, this morning the
house of Mayberry & Thurston failed
and both families are beggars."
His handsome face was pale, but hi:
eyes were bright with determination
and braveness nothing could daunt
Winnie smiled back upon him, her owl
cheeks paling.
"Never mind, Ernest, on my account
/ can wait, too"
Old Mr.. Wilmington's eyes were al
most shut beneath the heavy, frownine
forehead, and quizzical look was oil
his shrewd old face as he listened.
"Gone up, eh? Well, that's too bad
You stay here and tell Winnie am JUS
as willing she shall be your wife wher
you want ber, as if nothing had hap
pened, because believe you can carr
bread and butter for both of you, anC
my Winnie is contented little girl
I'll hobble up to the office and see youl
father; he and l were boys together; {
word of sympathy won't come amiss
from me-"
And off he strobe, leaving the lovers
alone, getting over the distance in re.
markably short time, and presenting
his wrinkled, weather-beaten face il
Mayberry & Thurston's private office
where Mr.. Mayberry sat alone, will
rigid face and keen, troubled eyes, that
nevertheless lighted at the sight of his
old friend.
'I am glad to see you, Wilmington
Sit down. The sight of man who has
not come to reproach me is comfort
But Mr.. Wilmington did not sit down
He crossed the room to the table al
which Mr.. Mayberry sat among hope
less array of papers.
"There is no use wasting words Nay
berry, at time like this. Did you
know your son had asked Winnie tC
marry him?"
Mr.. Mayberry's face lighted second
and then the gloom returned. "If my
son had a fortune at his command. as
thought he had yesterday at this time,
would say: God speed you in YOU
wooing of Winnie Wilmington. As i
is, for the girls sake, disapprove."
$50 you haven't pound over ant
above, eh, Mayberry?"
"There will be notning-less than
nothing. l don't know that | really
care so much for myself, but Ernest
is terrible blow TO him at the very
beginning of his career"
Mr.. Wilmington smiled gleefully
"Good. Neither do care for myself
but for Winnie, my little Winnie.
tell you what, Mayberry, perhaps vol
will wonder if am crazy, but III agre,
to settle a quarter of a million OH Win
ME the day she marries your boy. Ant
I'll lend you as much more if it'll be o
any use, and I'll start the boy for him
self, if you say so. En-"
Mr.. Mayberry looked at him in speech
less bewiiderment Wilmington wen
on.
| "I made fortune out in India, ant
it's safe and sound in hard cash in gOo(
hands-a couple of millions. l determ
ined to bring up my girl to depend o,
herself, and to learn the value Of none,
before she had the handling of her fer
tune. She has no idea she's an heires
my heiress. Sounds like story on
of book, ELI, Mayberryl Well, viii
you shake hands on it, and call il bar
gainr
Mr.. Mayberry took the little dried-u]
hand almost reverentially, his voic
hoarse and thick with emotion. evil
mington, God will reward you for this
May he, thousand-foldW ~
| Wilmington winked away a suspicion
moisture on his eyelashes.
"You see 1t all comes of that dinner
old fellow. You acted like a charitabl
Christian gentleman, and between u
we'll make the boy and Winnie as haE
py as they deserve, eh?r
Even Mrs. Mayberry admits that
was good thing that her husband gay
that dinner, and when she expects t
see Mrs. Ernest Mayberry an honore
guest at her board, she candidly feel
that she ows every atom of her splendo
and luxury to the yiolet-eyed, charm
ing girl who wears her own honor
with such sweet grace.