Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1881-09-01
CHAPTER II.

CHAPTER II.
The scene of the above mentioned
conversation was pleasant green path
In extensive grounds on the banks of the
river Thames at Cookham. The place
was dotted with well dressed people,
forming atoms in the whole of the great
picnic being held on as lovely a June
day as ever added beauty to that charm
ing portion of our national river.
1t might have been supposed that
upon such day happiness would have
ruled supreme; but was not SO, for sew
eral members of the party were not in
the best of tempers.
For instance, Mrs. Hartley, beneath
her pleasant smile, felt anything but
content. More than that. she was rather
bored. The protestations of Frank
Roberts troubled her. She liked him
we'll enough, but she had her doubts OF
his stability, and suspicion had planted
itself firmly in her mind to the effect
that he cared more for the handsome sum
of money left Internationally to her by
her late husband than he did for her
handsome face and thoroughly honest
heart.
Then, too, Mr.. Frank Roberts, after
contriving his opportunity to make a
declaration, had been so dissatisfied by
the result that he had gone aside, after
placing his inamorata in good place,
to obtain glass of lemonade, and swore
at the attendant for not putting in more
sugar. N
Doubtless there were other discon-
tented swains and ladies, but with them
we have nothing to do, but will turn at
slowly by the rivers brink; an elderly
man with bent shoulders and white hair,
and one about middle age, slightly griz-
zled, and with a massive head and
thoughtful face, that would have been
plain but for his magnificent gray eyes.
"Hah /" said the elder, ina sour tone
of voice. "some men do make fools of
themselves; and how can you be such
an idiot, Morris, as to let that snowy
butterfly Of fellow carry of really
good little woman from under your nose
/ can't think. I always fancied you
loved her."
$50 I do, doctor, with all my heart. !"
Then, hang it, man, marry her"
" What, and make her unhappy, doc
tor2 No, l love her too well for that"
"Stuf and nonsense, man y
sit is no stuff and nonsense, doctor.
She cares for Roberts. Look at them
yonder. Why should I interfere %
sBecause it isn't right, and 1 don't
like it. That fellow Roberts is scoun-
drel, I'm sure; and all he wants is the
widows money; and as soon as he had
got that he would break her heart.
Hang it, man, go and cut him out. Go
and propose"
"I did, DOCTOR"
Well ?"
"She bade me wait; asked for time.
esteemed her delicacy, and have
waited. There is the result"
Humph! said the old doctor.
We'll, Pm sorry-deuced sorry. Hart
ley was very old friend of mine, and in
his last illness he said to me: sOf
course, it's natural that my dear young
wife should some day want to marry
again. Watch over her, doctor, and see
if you can that she does not become the
prey OF scoundreI. Tie your money
up tight, I said to him. No, DOCTOR
he said, I love her too we'll to insult
her like that. God bless her-I've
every confidence in her. She shall do
as she pleases, and I thank her for bear
ing so long with the whims and caprices
Of an old husband Ha it's strange
world"
Luke Morris nodded his head and
Joined the party at dinner, where he
tried to cast off his gloom, and fate
throwing him near the pretty widow. he
was quiet and polite to her, almost to
the point of reserve; but through all she
could read chivalrous respect to her
feelings, and she knew that he had seen
her interview that morning with Rob-
erts.
Directly after dinner the doctor came
up smiling and asked Mrs. Hartley if
she would take stroll with him. She
agreed with alacrity, telling herself that
she would then be free of lovers; and
they went down to the rivers side,
where, in the course of long converse
tion, the doctor turned it into series
of remarks concerning the early life Of
the late Mr.. Hartley.
G As good and true hearted man as
ever knew, said the doctor.
she was, indeedl" said the widow,
and she wiped away very genuine tear.
T" esteemed him as much as any man
ever knew, for think he tried hard to
atone for the past"
Atone for the past, doctor ?" said
the widow, wonderingly.
"Ye-esI The way he got his money,
you know"
sGot his money, doctorg cried the
widow, turning pale. What do you
mean p
"Well, my dear, it's hardly worth
raking up; but I always thought it my
duty to tell you In case you felt dis
POSED by few acts of charity to try and
make up for what there was wrong in
it,"
"But, DOCTOR" she said, excitedly,
"pray explain yourself"
There, there, don't be in furry, 2
he said, taking another pinch. ssNo-
body knows 1T down here; but Hartley
used to keep"
He leaned forward and whispered
something in her ear.
"Oh, doctor r. she cried, turning pale
and then bursting into tears. What
have you done? I could never be happy
again if kept that money. Oh, how
dreadfuli"
Hush, hush, my dear child; what
are you talking about? What nonsense.
1t wasn't you fault."
e No. indeed r. she said. Batsoon
than keep money got in such a way
I'd go and perform the most menial
duties.
But you don't mean to say you
would give il up?" hesaid.
Give it ups Every penny, doctor, +"
she said, with her eyes flashing and
cheeks flaming. 4 could not Keep q