The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1879-07-03


with his discharged clerk; and the lat
ter, whose vanity was tickled by seeing
his quondam tyrant cringe before him,
gradually became regular guest at
the bill-discounter's, though he took
care never to come at times when lie
was likely to meet Gertie Brown, who
could feel no admiration for the vulgar
manners and pnrse-p proud Ostentation
of Ralph de Vray. This young man
was handsome, however, and not de-
void of talent. 1t was no secret to
Mile that he had aspired to win her
hand at time when such a hope was
folly, and he exercised over her that
fascination which saucy assurance and
bold "gift of the gab'' ever do over
girls who are weak and giddy. One
day, otter he had been talking to Mile
for an hour in his most brilliant vein,
some recollection of droll sally of his
made the girl laugh after he was gone,
and she exclaimed:
"He is decidedly very amusing"
81 find him most wearisome," an
swered Gertie, dryly.
"You are not bound to sit and listen
to him, then," said Mile, with q flash
in her eyes. So"
81 will withdraw, then, on another
occasion-with great pleasure" was
Gertie's reply.
That's it; dove shan't miss you.
By-the-by, you never make yourself
scarce when Mr.. George de Vray comes
here"
sThere was not the same reason for
doing so; Mr.. George is thorough
gentleman"
"And you mean that Mr.. Ralph is
not?''
Certainly not, to my mind.'
"Ah! ali! pray is it simply because
Mr.. George has given up property that
was not his that you consider him so
superior to his cousin? see nothing
wonderful in that If found one Of
your trinkets among my things,
should restore it without Growing all
over town about my honesty. In
deed, think it rather strange that
Lord Beauvray should not have dis
covered this secret until he had en-
joyed his property several years; it
looks much to me as if some other
people had discovered it, too, and as
if he had only acted under compul-
sion."
"Oh, Mile, you are casting an as
persion on one of the most noble acts l
have ever heard OFF, exclaimed Gertie,
quivering all over.
Swell, it's your fault" screamed
Mile, exasperated; 81 am sick of
hearing you always harp on the same
string. If you are so fond of Mr.. de
Vray, why don't you get him to marry
you? That would be two beggars to-
gether''
Naturally, Gertie went to her room
to have good cry; but from that day
she ceased speaking about George, and
became very circumspect in her de-
meanor toward him. When he called
to see Mile she left the room. George
soon noticed these tactics, for his in
terviews with MIR. Moyle's daughter
were growing more and more irksome
by reason of Miles GOODNESS and ir-
ritability. At the least thing she would
snap and sulk; and one afternoon when
George innocently made some'inquiry
about Miss Brown, she fired up in a
jealous pet. "You seem very anxious
about Miss Brown. am not obliged
to show her off in the drawing-room
whenever visitors come. She IS only a
pauper cousin whom we have taken in
from charity"
"It's queer charity, dear, if you talk
of it in that way" laughed George. 81
don't consider poverty a disgrace,
either"
..No, but it's very inconvenient,"
said Mile, still querulously, "and re-
minds me; if we marry, l suppose you
don't mean to live on my money! Papa
says his banks might break, and all
sorts of things. So suppose you will
do something to get an independent
income?''
EYES," answered George, coloring
deeply. 81 have applied for an ex-
change into the line, and think of going
out to the war on the Indian frontier.
l shall have Lieutenant-C olonel's rank
so if you will wait for me two years,
Mile, l may return with new career,
and perhaps an income, before me-"
"Oh, wait two years to become q
soldiers wife, and 90 out to live in
baking Indian heatr' exclaimed Mile
pouting. II never bargained fol
thatr'
just at this minute Gertie Brown
tcame in. She had message to delive,
to Mile from Mr.. Moyle, and blushed
as she crossed the room to where the
i quarreling pair Of lovers sat. "Miss
Brown" said George, rising to shake
hands with her, ~ will wish you
good-by, for have Just been telling
Miss Moyle that am going off to the
war in India"
=" You are going to the war! oh, Mr.
de Vray-if anything should happen te
your exclaimed Gertie, and tear.
started to her eyes.
'sThank you for those tears" sale
George, gratefully. 81 shall know thai
one persOn.here, at least, will feel ar
interest in me. Now, give me, as 8
keepsake, that red book-marker yor
are holding in your hand. will bring
back the ribbon with something hang
ing to it."
"The Victoria Cross, perhaps" tit
tered Millie, rather uncomfortably. "]
declare, that's quite poetical. Well
good-by, Mr.. de vray. We part a.
friends, don't we?''
excellent / friends,' answered
George, as he lifted both her hands t.
his lips and kissed them playfully.
! That evening, when old Mr.. Moylt
was apprised of what had happened
he rubbed his nose, and said: ''Well
well, it's he who has broken off the
match, not we. Isuppose we've heare
the last of him now-for he'll 90 ou
to India and stay there. As for the
new Lord Beauvray, my dear, wa.
quite wrong in my estimate of him
He is remarkably clever man, and
he means to get me into Parliament!'