The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-02-10

family, after pause, chad we been
equals"
equals! Then we are not?"
''Not as regards wealth, Mr.. Golding."
I can give my love-not sell it,"
Sell it, Miss Northall- Ella" he
cried. "What do you mean? You in
suit yourself!'
"No, Mr.. Golding," she replied; cit is
you. Did you not offer yesterday to
give my father the means to free Holm
beech? Do not think me vain if I re-
peat my fathers words on your depart.
ure. Ella, Mr.. Golding loves you, but
fears to come forward like man and say
it. He would put me under an obliga-
ton, and win you thus"
Michel Golding flushed crimson.
''Miss Northall," he said, II am de-
servedly punished by such an opinion,
though vow I do not merit it. have
perhaps held myself too low; too un-
worthy to hope to win you, but 1 made
not the offer in the spirit your father
states. He has misread me; but let the
end show. held you love SO superior
to me that would have given all I
possessed, as an adorer lays his offering
on holy shrine, even without return. I
repeat, let the end prove"
He turned and moved away. Ella
hesitated, then called him back.
"Mr. Golding," she murmured, "papa
has wronged you; SO Lave I, too-for-
give me-"
"Forgive you! Oh. Ella, may I hope?"
81 love you!' she whispered.
With an exclamation of joy he would
have drawn her to him, but she drew
back.
"No," she remarked; II love you, but
papa must decide whether may become
yours.
"May I ask him. Ella. dearest?"
eyes"
But the question had to be deferred.
Sir Hugh was far too excited on their re-
turn, owing to telegram which had just
arrived from Lawyer Maythorpe, re-
questing his presence at once on most
important business at Holmbeech. "Can
he ask me there to turn me out again?
impossible! We shall see-we shall
see'
And the next day the father and
daugter, with Michel Golding in atten-
dance, set out for for England.
On reaching Silverweir, November
fog enveloped everything, so that the
little party passed through the town un-
recognized until they reached Holm
beec, where they entered the old dusky
hall, rich with the red heat of glowing
fire. Lawyer Maythorpe was there, by a
table covered with papers. He rose to
greet them warmly, but the Baronet
gave them chill greeting. You meet
me coldly, Sir Hngh," he said, smiling.
"Well. the people here gave me differ
ent treatment, for they burned me in
effigy. 1t is the fate of some men to be
misunderstood for time; ). it was to your
advantage that should be-"
milne, Maythorpe," said the Baronet,
drily.
Certainly not for mine, Sir Hugh.
As your chief creditor, have we'll, and,
1 think you will own satisfactorily, set
tied with the rest. You are free of
debt"
"And Holmbeech
Here are the mortgage papers and
the bill of sale. There is the amount
you are indebted me. You are an hon
orable man. and will I know settle by
degrees. As to these"-taking the bill
of sale and moatgages-'' thus do pay
my debt of gratitude y
And he placed them on top of the
blazing logs.
"What p cried the Baronet. May
thorpe, what do you mean ?"
Simply, Sir Hugh, that if had
burnt those papers before you had set
tied with your creditors they would have
seized everything. You have no credit
ors now; the place is yours"
mo creditors but you, old friend,
whom can never repay" calculated the
Baronet, taking the lawyer s hands. ooh,
Maythorpe, how I have misunderstood
you! Forgive me !"
And Sir Hugh, overcome, averted his
head to hide the tears flowing down his
cheeks.
MAY come in ?" asked o voice.
Certainly. Michel. Sir Hugh. Miss
Ella, let me introduce to you my
nephew"
"Your nephew, Maythorpe?"
mo other, Sir Hugh. Pray don't
imagine that there has been either plot
or conspiracy. He saw Miss Northall at
Munich, alro once here, and-I don't
wonder at it-loved her. l told her If he
had the temerity to WOO it had better be
as stranger, for being under the cloud
1 was with Sir Hugh, did not think
that my nephew would meet with much
welcome. And I ask you now, as q
favor, not to let what have done bias
you. You are. and ever have been, the
master IF Ho1mbeech. Michel is no