, 1880-09-06
An lnsurmOuntable Objection.
AT THE GARDEN GATE.

Janet Dudley stood at the garden
gate that lovely evening in early Sep
tember, gazing up the road with anxious
ewes. The faint light of the rising
moon lay like blessing on her golden
head, and the air, filled with the fra
GRANGE of new-mown hay, caressingly
Touched her fair young face. Never
prettier maid awaited lover, and yet
John Hallam's step was slow and his
face clouded as he emerged from the
shadow of the trees and came toward
her. Janet opened the gate and stepped
sut to meet him. "Well, John 2" she
said, and her voice trembled ever so
little.
The young man took her tiny hands
IN his, and looked down upon her-she
was wee thing-with almost frown
upon his brow. "Uncle Roger is as
obstinate as mule" he said. 81 have
Just come from q most wearisome inter
view with him. He insists that I shall
either take up my drudgery again at
Mink L Otter's, or some other equally
agreeable establishment, and forfeit all
claims upon him, or give him the prom
iee he asks"
"Well?" said Janet again, gazing
steadily up in his face. and this time
her voice did not tremblc at all, but
her lovers did, az with half-averted
eyes he made answer: 81 should hate
to 60 clerking it again after being my
own master SO long, and, to own the
truth, pstroniziDg NY old chums some
what whenever We met; and it seems
toe bad to let such a fortune go to
strangers, as Uncle Roger declares it
shall if | don't come to terms. But
then the promise he exacts is so alb
surd."
go Absurd" repeated Janet, slowly.
SIS it SO absurd, when You think of it
calmly? Your uncle wants to make
sure of a pleasant companion for five
years, and at the end of that time
wishes to choose a pleasant companion
for that pleasant companion, thereby
securing for himself two pleasant com
paAions for the remainder of his life
which sounds like something out OF one
Of Ollendorff's books for beginners, or
aTiddle," she continued, with a laugh
that had no merriment in it. And so
he offers you great inducements to be-
come that companion. And, John, you
have always been discentented because
your station in life was not higher
one, and more of the worlds gold had
not fallen to your share. And now that
wealth and position are offered you, it
would be ABSURD indeed to ref use
them for the sake of poor country
sehool-mistress."
Iarak Won oro rrno1 -
Perhaps I AMIN the way sur
geons are cruel; but i really think
John, the cure for your hurts is to ac-
eede to your uncle's wishes"
"And part with you?"
"And part with me, as it is only too
evident that that worthy gentleman con-
siders me totally. unworthy the honor
Of ever becoming the pleasant compan-
ion of his pleasant companion"
The young man dropped her hands,
and caught her in his arms. "You do
not love me, after all, he said, reproach-
fully.
81 do love you." she replied, at the
same tiae turning her face away from
his kisses, ''snd have loved you ever
SINCE We first met, but / have become
convinced that as poor man you would
not be success. John, aad therefore
say, obey your uncle, live the life for
which you have longed, and get the
fortune"
By heavens will not give you up! u
exclaimed Hallam, stung by her quiet
sarcasm. But, Jennie dear, listen to
reason. Promise to wait for me, to be
true to me, and will agree to Uncle
Rogers conditions. Who knows what
may happen in five years The old
man may die"
The girl started back from his arms
with glowing cheeks and flashing eyes
"Shame on you, John!" she said
"What Happiness could attend the
nnion of two people VINO waited fo1
Death and Falsehood to bring them to-
gether? You have said enough Our
bonds are broken. You are free"
A faint voice from the cottage called,
"Janet."
81 will never give you up" repeated
the lover, vehemently, and snatchins
her again in his arms, he kissed her
passionately and turned away. Janet
looked after his retreating form for q
moment, then raised her cIasped hands
in mute appeal to Heaven, choked O
rising sob, and answered her mother E
call.
John Hallam, then clerk in the whole
sale fur store Of Mink 4 Otter, first saw