The Worthington advance., 1882-09-28

don't propose to do this entirely for
your benefit, but chiefly for my own.
We have both fixed our affections upon
the same young lady, who prefers you,
though l don't think she is quite indn-
ferent to me either. If you were out. Of
the way, she would marry me, especial
" as her parents favor my pretensi0ns;
but 20 long 40 you remain in England"
j G'I understand interrupted Jack with
bitterness: "you propose bo buy me off"
"You can put it SO, if you like" said
Mr.. Bligh, cody. "You know best what
prospect you have or ever have had, Of
being able to support a wife," ..'s:. ' .;...r,
"l beg your pardon" said jack. feel
What are the conditions?" ea.<; q IA
..'That you leave England for good, to-
morrow, after, writing Miss Trevanen
s:lch letter as will make it quite clear
toiher that everything between you is at
IN end. You will let me see the letter,
Of course, and, it necessaryD: will adopt
any suggestion of mine III wording 1t.
And, as q matter of form shall ask you
to give me your note Of hand for TIE
amount of the advance, with interest"
"Why do you want me to leave to-
lnorrow?" said Jack. l have. got until
Monday, you know" t.IH r.>~. -!
cit is one of my conditions that you
start Tomorrow" returned Mr. Blieh,
with decision. ::Yo,. can accept. thu,
terms or leave them AS regards { :,
note ofhand," he added, jotting down
il few"words on the back of an envelope
and handing it to Jack, chat is my s,lg-
gestion." '.'''' "a .,- '-.0.~
>: II have nothing ito: say to this, Of
/ course" remarked Jack, fairly staggered
by the enormous premium which was
added to the debt.
-; tlcre amy prospect then, Of my
Et.lng repaid? as&e Mr.. Rligh, innocent.
>ly. s'@' -Di
II can'tsay there is at present." re-
piled Jack, though ifI accept. your Of
fer, it shall be the aim Of my life to re-
pay you. l don't object ut all to this,
but am sorry to say - e.
Don't be hasty, Mr.. Howard" inter-
ruptcd Mr.. Bligh: rising from his scat
over, and if you can see any other way
ter for you. If not, call upon Inc at my
office ut II o'clock tomorrow"
''Very wei" ," said Jack, doabtfully, II
will come if-if-"
"If you are WISE" interposed Mr..
Bligh. playfa!ly; "Nell, good by, until
We meet again" y. ! -.
Lett to himself, Jack ponlcred long
and seriously over Mr.. Bligl's startling
proposition, and tl'ous!, his impulse wis
to refuse the offer, he wavercd when he
thought of the alternative. The young,
man did not shrink from going abroad
and commencing lie >afresh in the new
L world, for such now seemed to be his in.
7 evitable fate under any circumstances.
But he shuddercd at the idea Of leaving
behind him ruined reputation, and
bringin. disgrace on his. old regiment
! by failing to meet his obligations
On the other hand, he felt that
by ,, agreeing to Mr.. Bligh's
terms he would be guilty Of the mean:
ness Of treating Maud Trcyanen's love
for him as Il subject Of bargain and sale.
Ills whole nature vevolted at such a base
act, the more; especially as he fully
reciprocated the young l;ldy's tiattering
regard. 1t was quite true that all hope
OF gaining her hand must now be dc:
iiniteiy abandoned, tut he resolved tl.a;
the sacrifice he was bound in honor;.ld
be tainted by a suspicion Of interested
motives. ~
Poor Jack Howard. did not arrive at
this determination, until after many
hours bitter reflection. The night had
run into the small hours of the nornin.
before he retired to rest, anu he seemed
hardly to have closed his eyes when he
awoke from u troubled sleep to find his
man standing by the bedside saying that
4 gentleman wished 70 see him.
-;"Old Mr.: Trevancn, by Jove!' cx-
claimed Jack, as he glanced at tho card
which was handed is him. t'Evitlcntly
the old boy has heard l have come to
grief, and has determined to lose no
time in sending me to the rieht-,bout.
Well, suppose can't blame him ior
looking after his daughters interest, but
! think he might have given .lre credit
for intending to do the right thing"
Nevertheless the young man resolved,
while performinga Il hurried toilet, to be
iorbearing and considerate to Mauds
father, whatever he might say, and to
receive his dismissal in proper spirit of
humility.
II must apologize for keeping yo,,
waiting, Mr.. Trevanen," he said, on en-
tering the sitting-rooln. "The fact is
oversight MYSELF
"Dont mention it, my dear Howard -
replied the old gentleman, rising from
his seat. "It is almost Il sin to disturb
anyone at this early hour MY excuse
must be that am not responsible for
the, present visit. Maud insisted Oh my
coming, and she must bear the blame.'
Jack was considerably puzzled by Old
Mr.. Trevanen's tone and manners. Tic
was less ponpous and consequential than
usual, and evinccd. Il sort Of guarded
cordiality.- No doubt lie had heard moth
| ing Of the young mans fresh troubles;
but even III that case his demeanor was
,naccoutably civil. Jack could not help
feeling rather embarrassed, knowing llow
soon the old gentleman would change
his tone.
expect | have come on a. fools er-
rand said Mr.. Trevanen, adjusting his
gold eyeglasses and searching in his coat
pocket, ''but Maud was inexolable,
She said she would come herself if /
Didn't, SO chose the lesser evil. Obligc
me, Mr.. Howard, by looking ut that"
lie handed Jack IL telegram as he
spoke, and watched him rathcranxiously
while lie read. The dispatch bore the
previous days date, and was addressed
bya Air.. James Stone, Of Liverpool, to
MIR. Porter, Bligh, London. ! 1t ran thus:
lyon are right. Sp;ccr misprint for
Spencer. Took passage in that name.
no one at shipping office suspects idcn-
/ tity". =.
II should explain,'' intcrposcd Mr..
Trevanen, while Jack was reading the
missive for the second time will. a
blank expression, "tl,at our friend Big h
promised to send Maud the name of the
winner of the Goodwood Cup imme-
diately the event was known. What it
nlattered to her, Heaven only knows!
but Bligh took the trouble to come. up
from the city during business hours, and.
finding Maud from home, he encos, d
that telegram in an envelope and left it
for her."
."He must have had two teiegrams in
his pocket and enclosed the wro.p one
by mistake" said Jack. ..-l..
ono doubt" replied Mr.. -Travenen.
but what has occurred to Maud is this:
ttat;the Mr.: Spicer or Spencer referred
to is probably your uncle. She thinks
she has heard you say that when your
uncle travels abroad he generally calls
himself Mr.. Spencer to avoid bein. i'm
posed upon on account of his title"
''By Joye! that's true. / remember
mentioning the fact a few days ago when