The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1879-11-15

'hAlll.h III.
"Joe | want to speak to you" The speaker
was VIII Breed. He was standing in the barn
door watching Joe, who was just finishing his
nights work in the moonlight, as he had just
returned from the village
well, speak out what you want tO,and don't
be too long" SAID Joe
Can trust you to do "a little tickIis work,
| if you are well paid for it? You must be IN
need Of money"
mo man ever said yet that ne couldn't trust
Joe Wingley no matter with what"
"What would you do for money-say a
thousand dolars?"
you want to know what I'd do for u thous.
and dollars? Well, I'll tell you, I'd do any
MtHg!'
Now, Wngley," SAID Breed, lowering his
voice, there's man gong to arrive here on
next Wednesday. If you'll meet him at the
station with wagon, telling him you came to
take HIM to Farmer GOrdOn's; but instead of
bringing him here, take him off In another d.
rectiOn, and then"
Put him out of the way" said Joe.
"Iou understand me to IA dot Put him out
Of the way, and you shall have a cool thous-
and to get out OF the country with"
Its Il bargain" replied Joe; then he added,
"but are you sure he'll be there? | don't want
to fool round for nothin'."
81 got letter out of the mail today, saying
he would arrive at tina: time. If you have to
inquire his name it is Smelling"
"Weil, you're bad Breed anyway" mutcr.
ed Joe, as the former disappeared.
AS Breed was hurrying through the orchard
he espied Kate, and was soon in her company.
"Wcll the time is up; what conclusion have
you come to?" said he addressing her "lIave
you made up your mind to marry me, or do
In bn hnn
parents the disgrace of being turned upon the
world pcnniless, and without home to shelter
their aged heads; on the other hand If you re.
fuse me, out they 90 bag and baggage for
assure you am no triller. have sworn to
have you for my wife, andi have you | will,
either by fair means or foul. Which is it, a
home for your parents and yourself or"
"Oh, sir" cried Kate IN a voice filled with
anguish and stretching forth her hands be.
sceChingly, edo not turn my dear old father
and mother from their hOme,-lt would kill
them! Give my father a little more time, and
| am sure he can pay you the money. You
had n father and mother oncc-think Of them,
and have pity on me"
Miss Gordon replied Breed, in his harsh,
unmusiCa voice, IL came not here to waste
my time in words. You know my GRAND, and
once for all | ask you will you promise to be
mnc or do you scorn my Offer"
"But do not love you, and you would not
wed IA woman who bore you no love-"
"Iour hate is sweetcr than any other We
mans love would be; and rs for me, never
yet found o1t the significance of the word
! love But you have not answered me"
and If refused, would you execute your
humanity threat; would you strip from my
parents in their declining years their home
everything? Would you be SO crucl?"
Aye | would; and on you depends their
future happiness or misery; will give you
| five minutes to decide which it shall be-" said
Breed, taking out his watch.
Like two statues they stood in the moonlight
each so silent and iMmovablc, Breed eye
ing his watch, and as the minutes flew swiftly
By, the expression of his face seemed To grow
more cruel and hard Kate looking the EN-.
bodimcnt of woe and despair. One two, three,
the minutes sped, and still she was dumb. Two
more minutes-ihc time was up, and yet no
answer Turning on his heel, he was moving
away, when Kate broke the silence
Stay" she cried.
well, >" said he what Is your decision
Il accept your offer, she answered, and then
fled away in the moonlight towards the house
| Breed stood watching her until she was lost
from view in the deep shadows of the grand
old trees about the house then muttering, "l'll
cure your stubbornness when get you IN my
power, girl" he, too, disappeared.
Well hardly" said third voice, and Joe
Wingley stepped from behind the trunk of the
great apple tree under whose branches Breed
and Kate had been standing. IF this old
tramp knows anything, don't think you'll
cure anybody's stubbornness After making
this remark he turned AMI went back TO the
barn.
On the Wednesday following Joe mystcr
ously disappeared, and for months nothing
was seen or heard of him Old Mrs. Gordon
was greatly concerned lest he had made oil
with some of the valuables about the house
but after carefully overlooking everything, she
came to the conclusion that Joe was an honest
tramp certain.