The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1880-12-18
AT THE GATE AGAIN.

only year had passed, and Mr.. Van
dergass, already weary of his nephew
fine tenor voice, handsome face, and al
de6oadir, suddenly babe him farewell
one cloudy morning (they were stop
| ping at hotel III Paris gave him til,
smallest bag of wool-money, mean
and again departed for parts unknown
To do John Hallam justice, he also wa
tired of the companionship; and a
times had almost regretted entering int
the compact with the wicked old man
But on regaining his liberty he congrat
ulated himself on the cleverness he haG
displayed, for though the largest part Of
the fortune might be lost, he had seer
the gayest part of the Old World in its
gayest dress, securing snug sum oi
money, and was free to return to Amer.
lea and Janet.
''Tm sure she is waiting for me-" he
said, though shs couldn't answer one
of my letters, the proud, infexible little
thing
And back home he went post haste,
back to the village where he had left the
pretty young schoolmistress.
1t was just such lovely evening as
that on which they parted when he found
himself once more, this time with hur-
ried steps, walking along the old familiar
road. The birds were chirping ''good-
nights" to each other, the air was full of
fragrance, the great night moths were
humming in successful mimicry of the
humming-birds as they hovered over the
blossoms that opened beneath the stars,
the crickets shrilled loud and merrily,
the fairy lanterns of the fire-fies glowed
fitfully on every side, and Janet-yes, it
was Janet, the moonbeams resting on
her golden head-stood, as though she
had never left it since the hour they
parted, at the garden gate. Dreaming
of me, no doubt, the fast approaching
lover thought, and in a moment more he
stood before her.
She started; faint blush started to her
cheeks; she looked wonderfully bright
and happy. why, John-Mr. Hallam,
l should say-can it be you ?" she said.
"Mr. Hallam!" echoed the young man
with light laugh. sit is John-your
own John"
''You are mistaken she began but
he interrupted her hastily.
Uncle Roger deserted me. am glad
Of it. His desertion set me free
And will you get his fortune after
all! she asked.
Don't be sarcastic, Janet, he replied.
Il did what thought for the best, and
the end proves that I was more far seeing
than you were, for everything has
turned out for the best I have had a
grand holiday, am richer by twenty
thousand dollars than when first wooed
and won you, and you shall have set of
diamonds and teach school no more.
Il never cared for thousands of dol
lars or diamonds" she said with pro-
yoking calmness, ''and I gave up teach
ing school at the beginning of last
You did? Then there need be no
delay. You will marry me at once,
jenny and he caught her hand and
pressed it to her lips.
John" she replied as she quickly
Withdrew it, Il ceased to care for you as
soon Us read the letter you sent me an
nouncing your decision to remain with
Mr.. Vandergrass. Strive to disguise it
as you will you chose between a
humble life with me and luxurious one
with your uncle. L"
''Janet, he interrupted, eagerly, lyon
DO not-you will not, look at my con-
duct in the right light. You are an un-
little woman But granting
that did wrong. Forgive and forget
that was one of our school notices, you
give me back your heart, If
you have ever taken it away from rae,
which doubt"-with confidential
smIls-'sand tell me when you will be
my wife. :
Never, John.
ssNonsensel / won't take that for an
answer I foresaw, knowing you so
veil, that you would bring forward
many obstacles, and / have come pre-
pared to combat them all, and to do bat
lie with whatever stands between us. A
few good blows, and down it goes before
me, Janet. !"
Janet's eyes twinkled, and q little
langh escaped from her lips.
Il warn you to attempt no blows,
she said, as stalwart young fellow
strobe up to the gate, for I must pre-
sent to you an insurmountable objection
MIR. John Hallam, my husband, Mr..
Oscar Lanter.