The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1879-09-18

ncrseli DuJ not 10 George, who
sprung quickly to his feet exclaim L.
ing! walter Howell from what
cloud have you dropped ~
Grasping his hand cordially, he
glanced upward as if in search Of
the supposed cloud.
"Welcone to Darrell farm II
has been long time since you have
honored it with your presence. Not
since we were college chums toSoth
or. ell T.
Then turning to bis fair cousin,
who from astonishment had renain.
od motionless, looking more liko a
statue of Flora than a living whmln,
he sail "Cousin Alma, my friend,
Mr.. Howell, Of whom you have often
heard me speak,
Walter HoSell, bowing low,
thought, as ho gazed, TINT never be-
fore had he seen creature of such
rare lo,liness. Miss Darrell, /
presuns 7" and Alma, with slight
inclination OF her stately heal. an
swored in the affirmative then. ex-
cusiug horself, Immediately with
drew, leaving them to talk over
their college pranks and enj )y their
fragrant cigars.
They sat thus talking until supper
WAS announced. Alma did not ap
pear at the table.
After supper. George lod the
way to tho cozy library, "whero they
would not be disturbel,' ho sail =
and, although Walter would have
preferred tue society of Colsin Al
mn. he had not tho courage t. ex
press his preference -ho followed in
silence.
"Wny couldn't you havo toll u
fellow you wis coming, mil not take
one SO by slrprise = as11l Gorge,
throwing himself into aa easy chair,
and pnsuiuy another toward hts
friend.
the fact ia, Darrell, that / knew
ooihing about it myself until ns
hour previous TO my departure
tthlup tue pTpilcIet SohI
TO what circumstance am in.
lebtcl. then, for this visit T.
Il suppose, Darrell, / might as
well make a clelu breast Of 1t Sc
hero gocs iou arc aware that
Uncie Msrnaduks has always given
me to. suppose that ! wus to be HE
sole heir, and has fitted M, 10 take
'harsc VI the entire business ut his
lsceaso. conjeI1ontiy uniting Tue
for anything b,.siles. Should he
withdraw bis influence. my circum-
stances would be bad indeed. Know,
ing this, have humDrcd him in all
his whims. which are legion, until
this last one aui now, if | refnse
to comply with his request, lose
every penny OF his money and will
be compelled to caro- ny own snp
port as best | eau. l tell sou,
George, it ia rather hard To know
You have to start ont empty handed
and mako your own living. or else,
to humur an old mans foolish wAim,
you mnst ombtter your whole life
Hon hard | never knew until to
day !" thinking Of Alma as he
spoke,
What IA this whim 7" asked
George. 1T may not be es foolish
as you imagine.
"As / Imagine :" echoed Walter.
"Can it be othereise ! Nay, it is
crael to try to wreck ones whole
lie in order to please Oh old man =
fancy. He has ordained that shall
marry, md has seen fit to select tue
bride, and, by heavens, | will not
submit !"
"Who is the fair lady p
"A Miss Vane, daughter Of Gers
aid Vane. an old classInate Of his,
who, dying years ago, left her in
uucle's charge. / have never met
her, and, to escape this meeting, |
came down hero. Her father left
her no property, and she is at the
mercy of the old tyrant. as we'll
for either one, on refusing to CON
ply with his request, forfcits all
claim on his property. Bnt he tells
mo that she, being very much i'm.
pressed with my portrait, is not
averse to the marriage: Bah Tho
idea Of having to wed such o do
signing creature for tho sake of
few paltry dollars, Never !"
"But you have never seen her,
replied George. "Sho may not be
what your Imagination has predict
cd"
Nevertheless, | would relinquish
all claim to her, aud told uncle SO,
but he says unless tho marriage is
consumated, his money shall go to
foundling hospital, aud holds out
the idea to mo that it would DO cru
cl in mo 10 refuse, saying she would
be left to tho cold charities Of tho
world. while l would have either TO
beg or stirvc. 10 takos iiendlsh
delight in tormcnting mo, and | al
most believe sho is in league with
him, However, no has given mo
throo months graco, at tho oud OF
which timo Miss Vane must become
my bridc, or l must bid adiou TO my
onco fair prospects and begin lifo
nuow. But IL grows lato y saying
which thoy aroso aud retired to
thor separate rooms,