The National tribune., 1880-10-01
At the Garden Gate.


Janet Dudley stood the garden gate that lovely even
ing in September gazing up the road with anxious eyes
The faint light of the rising lay like blessing on
her golden head and the air filed with fragrance of new
iioM hay, eoacued lsr itl young FACE never
prettier maid awaited lover And yet John Hallam'S
step slow and his face clouded he emerged from
the shadow Of the trees and came toward her Janet
opened the gate and stepped out TO meet him " Well,
John? she said and her voice trembled ever so iite
The young took her tiny hands in his and looked
down upon her--she was a wee thing-wth almost a
frown upon his brow. Uncle Roger is obstinate as
mule he said 81 have Just come from most weari-
some interview with him. He insists that shall either
take up my drudgery again at Mink & 0tters some
other equally agreeable establishment and forfeit all
claims upon him, give him the promise he asks"
"Well' said Janet again. gazing steadily UP in his
face and this time her voice did not trebe ALL but
her lovers did, with haaverted eyes he made
81 should hate to 60 clerking again after being my
master SO long and, to the truth atonizing nv old
chums somewhat whenever met aud it seems too bad
to let such fortune go to strangers Uncle Roger de-
clares it shall il don't to terms But then the
promise he exacts is absurd
'sAbsurd,n repeated janet slowly SIS it so absurd
when You think OF it calmly? Your uncle wants make
of pleasant companion for five years and at the
end of that time wishes to choose pleasant companion
for that pleasant companion thereby securing for himself
two pleasant companions for the remainder of his life
which sounds like something out Of OenGors books for
beginners, riddle, she continued with laugh that
had no merTment in it. And he offers you great
ducementS 10 become that companon And John Won
not higher one and more of the worlds gold had
not fallen to your share And that wealth and posi-
them for the sake of poor country scho0mistress.
Janet, you are cruel
Perhaps / amin the way surgeons are cruel but I
really think John, the for your hurts to accede
your uncles wishes.
"And part with YOU"
'And part with me- as is only too evident that that
worthy gentleman considers me totally unworthy the
honor OF ever becoming the pleasant companion of his
pleasant companion
The young dropped her hand and caught her his
arms ou do not love me after ALL he said reproach
fully.
81 do love YOU she replied at the same time turning
her face away from his kisses and have loved you
first met, but have become convinced that as
poor you would not be success john and therefor
say, obey your uncle live the life for which YOU have
longed, and get the fortune
BY heavens viii not give you up!'' exclaimed Hal
lam, stung by her quiet sarcasm But, Jennie dear,
me, and viii agree TO Uncle Roberts conditions. Who
knows what might happen in five years? The old man
may Az die e.,
Shame YOU Johnl' she cried - What happiness could
attend the union OF two people who waited for death and
Our bonds are broken. You are free.''
faint voice from the cottage called, Janet"
- will never give you up" repeated the lover
kissed her pasionaely and turned away Janet looked
after his retTeang form for moment then raised her
casped hands in mute appeal TO heaven coked rising
sob and answered her mothers call.
John Halam, then clerk in the wholesale fur store Of
Mink Otter first Janet Dudley at the country house
of cousin where he was visiting summer holiday
She had graduated at the normal college wear or so be-
ore and being obliged leave the city directly afterward
on account OF her mothers failing health had sought and
obtained the position of village schoolmisres at Straw
berry Centre.
They had fallen in love with each other at first sight
he fascinated by her pretty gsh face her graceful ways
and quaint precise speech and she by his handsome brown
eyes, his gayety his fine voice. and his gallant
ng and before Johns holiday she had promised
to become not far distant time his wife But
few months after they had pghted troth Johns uncle
Roger who had been the black sheep of his family re.
turned from abroad like the famous black sheep Of Baby