The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1880-01-22
FRED AND MAUD.

FRED AND MAUD.
To say that Harvey Foster was in q
bad temper, was to put the mildest
form of words to express the savage
mood In, which he found himself one
winters evening, as he shot through the
main street of the town of L., on his
way homeward. Everything had gone
exactly contrary to his wishes all the
week.
Entirely ignorant ofthe fact that Har-
vey Foster was man of standing and
wealth in Il, pretty Josie allowed
the minor fact, that he was insultingly
free in his addresses. to influence her
so strongly, that her digniied reserve
taught him the lesson he needed! and
when he sought her for his wife, she
refused the honor. ,a*
To add to his discomforture. the
heiress, Miss Maud Chester-whom he
nad held in reserve, that his ambition
might win q wife if love would not
had coldly informed him that she was
engaged to Fred Holt.
Now, If there was one man above
another who was utterly detestable in
the eyes of Harvey Foster, it was Fred
Holt. They had been rivals at school,
where both stood well in talent, appli-
cation and social position; and Fred was
ever little in advance in study, carry
ing away the contested prizes far more
frequently than it suited Harvey he
should. !
And now, when Maud had been ever
gracious to the son of the wealthy
banker, Silas Foster, she answered his
love-suit by the tidings that his lifelong
rival had won her promise to, be his
bride.
"And the worst of it is, it will be
just the match to suit his uncle" NUT
tered Harvey, savagely. mo fear of
him disinheriting Fred now"
For Harvey knew that Fred depend
ed entirely upon the good will of his
mothers brother, James Rutherford, q
wealthy and eccentric bachelor, for his
income
Harvey Foster, at odds with love,
would like to see his rival refused, dis
inherited, humbled, as he felt himself
humbled, since neither love nor money
would accept. him. '&..s~ !,
He strobe over the pavement in a
savage mood, and started suddenly to
see Josie Ormstead coming out of q
shop few steps in advance of him. In
her hand were several small packages,
and her face was pale and anxious.
In moment Harvey was at her side.
LET me carry some of your parcels"
he said, lifting his hat as he spoke. s.,
'Thank you, have only few steps
more to co." answered Josie, hurrying
forward nervously.
''You need not be afraid of me,"'
Harvey said, noticing her nervous man
ner. 81 will hot annoy you! Why
will you not believe my respect is as
great for you as my love?
And before he knew exactly where
his words were leading him, the young
man was renewing the offer he had
made before. 9. W. % H..
At the door of small clearinghouse,
Josie stopped and faced him.
"You have spoken so before, Mr..
Foster" she said gently; "and because
believe you are sincere, I will tell you
what l have kept secret for six months;
l ana already married" -
CCoA0!< T0o QUICK !'+r why no you
stand there?" cried voice in the mar
row hallway, and a man stepped into
, the bar of light thrown across the open
door by q street lamp. Il. %..,s
Fred Holt" muttered Harvey, start
ing forward. Married! and to Fred
Holtl'' .sj s..s1... Il. 4 u. ...s.
1 It almost consoled him in his own
disapp ointment to think Of the hold he
mad upon his rival. Engaged to Maud
Chester and married to Josie Ormstead!
Fancy the proud face when she knew
she had been deceived by q girl that
worked. And sweeter still. was it to
Harvey to thinkpf the wrath Of James
Rutherford when the news reached
him. sA@
But in his triumph Harvey Foster had
resolved to be very cautious, to have
strong proof Of his rivals marriage be-
fore Venturing to accuse to either his
uncle or his betrothed. He had no
/ ticed the number Of the house il the
glare Of the street lamp ssl o. % Ralph
street. 4 This was the entry he made IN
7 tx S rf1ta.hnpk Ia f.aafa i'd I'M ,,anrv,