The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1880-04-08

worked as a farm laborer's clerk, and sub.
editor of newspaper. Remunerative
employment seemed hard to obtain, but
he toiled on patiently, hoping for better
things. 1. .s>... @s52s. T.. .Ets. hi
He had ceased to think Of his attach.
ment for Annie landlord, except as q
secret memory to be treasured, but spok-
en- of never. Yet, when Christmas came
around, and with it a couple of letters
one from home, and one from an old and
trusty friend as Milton-one of them con-
tanned just Christms card, wishing the
compliments of the season in the most or.
binary way. But the wrapper was adj
dressed in handwriting we'll remcm-
bercd. It was from Annie, and now Will
Ferguson, in his loneliness, knew that
the pure girl, whom he loved, but whom
he had never told OF that love, did care
something for him in his disgrace, and,
if that was so, even though it mi ght be
the expression of mere feeling of pity
on her part, he would renew his efforts to
gain an honest name, and he patiently
| and honestly kept his resolve, with what
success, VIC shall see.
Five years have passed away, and
changes have been wrought even in that
short time. Thorpe farm is occupied by
others than John Fielding and his sis
ter. They reside at Rillbrook farm now,
about three miles from Milton. It is
summer time, aud the house is full of
visitors, the number including three of
Mrs. Mitchell's daughters, and Annie
landlord. Annie landlord is now a
beautiful woman of 81, and the rest of
the party look all the years older than in
the old times at Thorpe farm. After sup
per, seated in the parlor, with the win
dows open to allow Of the summer breeze
filling the loom with odcrs of the flower
garden, they begin to speak of by-gone
times and old friends, and some one
mentions the alinost-forgotten Will Fc1-
guson. Said one:
| Il heard that he came back to Eng
land to set some scheme in connection
with the publishing business ahoat, and
piles of money!
IF that is so,' was the reply, 'why
doesn't he act honorably Ivy Noble &
Croakcr, and refund the money he used?
BY the way said George Mitchell,
who was present, and now just caught
at what they were discussing; at Milton
market, on Saturday, was shown
paragraph in the agony column OF the
Times. I copied it down. and, taking
out his pocketbook, he read, 'Mcssrs. N.
& Co, Of NJ, if you will let me know the
amount Of w. F.'s defalcations, six years
ago, will remit same with interest. r.
Tape, solicitor, $50 Chanccry lane, Lon
dom That is Will Ferguson, sure
enough Shortly after he added, Moth
er can yon find another spare bed? A tel
low was once acquainted with wants to
come down here to knock around our
worlds; he won't trouble you much, I
dare say, and he's an old friend of mine.
His name is Wilson,.
| Then Mrs. Maria Smith, Mrs. Mitchell's
married daughter, talked to Annie Hand
ford OF Ferguson, and Annie said: ~
never knew whether I quite really loved
him; l liked him very we'll, and more than
ever cared for any other fellow, but at
any rate, If ever did, this feeling is
entirely dead now, and if felt sure that
| loved him, I would never marry a
thlet.'
The next day brought George Mitchell
and his friend, Wilson. Mr.. Wilson was
tall, b1onzci and bearded man, and,
! though George said he was only -, he
looked like 81, and all the inmates of
the house remarked that they fancie6
they had seen him before. However,
they concluded it to be entirely fancy, as
none of them knew any Wilson's resident
in London.
Weeks passed away, and it was soon
pretty evident that this Wilson was
! deerly cnamored of Miss landlord, and
it was also plain to the most careless
observer, that his love was reciprocated.
One day he announced that he in
tended to depart on tch morrow, and
in the evening he asked Annie
to take walk with him. On stile
in shady lane, with the red sunset she'd
ding its glow upon them, once again was
the same old story told. But, before
Wilson obtained Annie's answer he told
her that he knew Ferguson; that he had
known him all his life; known of his SIN
and disgrace, and also knew how bravely
he toiled to redeem his name, and that
he was now comparatively itch man. He
told her that he knew that Ferguson
loved her deeply, though he
had never known whether it was mutual
love-and he had asked her to say wheth-
er it was so? 'Oh, no. she replied, lit was
| all fancy; never loved until now; be-
N 01G o1
thief, you know These words were
like sharp knife in Wilson's side, but
he went on:
Don't you think, If you saw him, you
could love him as l know he loves you?'
-, never, never! Don't speak about
him, please; all that is gone and past
years ago, and we need never mention his
name again.
There was short pause.
'Annie,' said Wilson; Miss Handfo1d,
forgive me for decciving you. l came
down here onl y known to George Mich
ell, just to take look at old sccneA and
old friends. am Will Ferguson. l
never meant to speak to you of love, but
| from the moment bcheld you again, I
was no longer master Of m ysclf. But
shall go away tomorrow, and never again
shall you he troubled with the love of a
thief When he finished speaking she
tell on the grass in kind of dull amaze
ment, and as she began to sec how mat
tiers really stood she was at loss what to
do, and speak she could not.
Miss landlord, try to control YOURSELF
said Ferguson, and think no moro of
what has occurred; let us return
They walked mechanically to the house,
in perfect silence, and saw no more of
each other that night; and when Annie
awoke in the morning Will was on his
| way to London. Now that she had time
for reflection, she felt that she still loved
that man. She felt annoyed with him for
| deceiving her; and yet, after further
thought she decided that it was pardon
| able dcccption-but, there was that dis
grace.
She consulted with her great friend.
Mrs. M0rio 1uho oI,y;ood 1,or %< .~,o:l