Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1880-07-15

is nothing to hinder our happiness
The lawyers were out, and the OF
ice was in care of the boy. On
low chair by the door a man sat,witl
his head resting upon his hands, an,
his hands resting upon his knees
His whole appearance was of tina
slipshod nature that it seemed as
he might fall to pieces at any mo
ment. His frame. of Herculean al
mansions, was the more pltiable tina
the flesh had shrunken from hi
bones, and the features of his fac,
were harsh and forbidding ia thei
prominence. His clothes were faded
and patched, his hat was pulled owe,
his eyes. and altogether he was
most forlorn and pitiable object il
this office of prosperous solicitor.
10 the heyday of happiness, bow
could Mr.. McGraw pass this wretch.
ed fellow creature by without q
word2
Good morning, my poor fellow,
he said, 'You seem to be in a sorry
plight Can l do anything for you?
You can tell me, said the man, IL
a hoarse and hollow voice, 'if its
true that these people here will be
glad to see me. I'm told there's a
reward offered for any news OF me,
and I'd like a little money to prink
up before so to see my sweetheart.
She'll be thinking it's my ghost If
go to her like this
Some wretched criminal thought
Mr.. McGraw, who has risked every
thing TO see the woman he loves.
See here, my good fellow he said,
lowering his voice, ST this money
will be of any use to you, take it,
and go; but I'd keep clear Of the
law if L were you
why, thank you, SIR said the
man, putting back the bills, 'but I'm
no beggar. I'll wait and see what
these sharks have to say
At that moment tho senior LAWYER
entered, and turned upon the fellow
a distrustful glance. what do you
want here 2 he said, sharply.
4 want the money that was offered
for news of a shipwrecked sailor
called Martin Malloy.'
4 offered ten pounds, said the law.
yer, turning to Mr.. McGraw.
The devil you did 7 said MIR. Nc
Graw, who had fallen into chair
and was gazing at the man with
strained eyes. This Malloy is dead
he added, still keeping his eyes upon
the man.
He amt quite dead said the man,
'but as near it as be likes to be-
Then he went on to tell the story of
the wreck, the exposure in The open
boat, the agony and starvation, the
death and insanity of most of the
crew. 1t was an old story, repeated
very often, but the lawyer and Mr..
McGraw seemed to har G upon every
word that fell from the lips of the
miserable mariner. Mr. McGraw's
face grew old and wrinkled as he
listened. The lawyer at length Ut
tered an ejaculation of Joy. 4 con-
graduate you, Mr.. McGraw, The said,
turning TO his client 'your money is
as safe as if You held it in your
hands
But Mr.. McGraw had fallen back
against the wall. They loosened his
neck-tie, and threw water in his face
'By Jovep said tho lawyer, your
joyful news he's been too much Tor
him. A big part of his money was at
stake, you see, and he's hidden his
feelings SO long under a mask of res
ignation that now he is overcome.
Get cab at once he added, to the
boy.
But Mr.. McGraw revived, and by
the time the cab reached the office
he was sble to go home alone. He,
however, asked Martin to % with
him and as the cab rolled along,
bis eyes were still fixed upon his d.
lapidated companion
Nobody would know you, / sup
pose?' be said to the pailor
Not soul, SIR" said martain.
Not even the--s--tbe person you
spoke Of as your sweetheart?'
SHE least of any said Martin, i
think she'd run away from me on
sight
You think SOP
I'm sure OF it. l bet you dollar
she would 'Yet it wouldn't pain
your
why no--shy should ii? Women.
folks are made that way. But III
soon prnk up if get chance
He began to prink up already, put
his hat back, and brushed his rum.
pied hair from his forehead, looked
from the window of the cab with the
air Of man to whom life was un.
speakably rare and sweet lie was
emaciated, shrunken, sallow, fierce
eyed, and lorlorn; be was poor and
patched but Mr.. McGraw would
willingly have taken his place ip the
race for happiness; he knew that all
was lost, Here was Martin Malloy;
that was the end Of everything.
The thought came little too late
that seeing her long-lost lover might
kill the girl or drive her mad. lie
began to explain to Martin, as grad.
ually as he could, that the house TO
which they were journeying was the
one that contained his sweetheart.
Mr.. McGraw chose the most care
full phraseology he could muster, but
the sailor seemed all at once to get
on fire. He flung bis hat upon the
seat beside him; he stretched from
the window bis long shruuksn neck
You'd better get out and come in
after I've broken it to her. II may
kill her it may drive her mad. The
shock was terrible one to no. said
Lr. McGraw.
That be bangedn said Martin.
You're au old map, you know, and
thought on your moncy--but my
Maggie here he stopped, and the
flame Of delight and desire burned
in his cheeks and eyes. He grew
suddenly young and strong under
the gaze of poor Mr.. IcGraw.
Maggie sat there By the window,
as she had promised. On. the Bit
Il