The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1883-05-25
FROM THE GRAVE.
BY DORA HASTINGS.

"Father, you cannot really mean itP''
"fou shall never marry her with my
consent" was the pitiless answer.
Then shall marry her without, F"
said Burke Marshall.
dot sneered the old man. "But
on the day that you marry Darlie Gusts
the doors Of Marshall Hall will be closed
to You both. Not one penny of my
money should buy bread for you if you
were starving"
xviii you give me your reasons?"
asked the son. controlling himself by q
strong effort. Too much was at stake
for him to needlessly excite the sick and
choleric old man. ''Darlie's home has
been with us for years, and you must
have seen that we loved each other"
II saw she loved you," with vindic-
tive CLEAN in the dull old eyes, land
was glad-glad, for meant to make
hersutfer.
"Whye"
at is retribution" The old man
raised himself slowly and painfully up
on the pillows. IL loved her mother,
and Darlie Nottingham threw me over
i who had loved her for years--to
marry my half-brother. He was poor
stick, Bob Gusts, aud she had time and
need to repent. When they died the
child had fo come here or 20 to the
poor-hOuse.
..And You have hated her for her moth
er'S sake nil these ycars?' exclaimed
Burke. flushing holly. You have de
liberately plotted to destroy the happi-
hess Of my life and hers because of her
mothers sin? Father, / would never
have believed il of you!'
II didn't think of your caring for her
She's mere slip Of IL girl, and she has
not The Nottingham beauty. There are
other women better worth loving, my
boy. Promise me to give. her up. and
t;,c money is all yours. Think Of the
difference between an income Of twenty
thousand, and no income nj all. "
Il can work for her
THAT is easily said! What will be-
come of YOU both while you are trying
to find work."
"God knOws!' said the young man,
solemnly, "but | shall marry my love
yet.
."rhen hear me-" said his father, .'my
will is made and signed. When die,
the girl shall have home here still; but
if YOU attempt TO marry her, you make
her homeless no less than yourself. You
shall have everything else-monSy,
land, hOusc-but she shall not be yOui
wife. will never give my consent on
earth"
lyon are determined on this miseryf
You would die unrelenting?"
when come ont of my grave take
that rs sign" said the old man, grim
". ut is in the will. Perhaps you
will look for the grave to open in order
to give two idiots q doubtful happi
ness?'
Good forgive your Burke looked at
his dying father with steady eyes mir
acles have been performed before now,
AMI you may live to repent OF this In
Justice"
IL shall not live; but when l repent /
will come from the grave 70 let you
know it. Go now, and tell your love,
with u sneer--"what / have told
you"
In the deep embrasure of the window
at the head Ut the stairway stood q white
robed girlish figure. Two slim white
hands were held out 70 Burks-.-two great
dark eyes met his questioningly-ap-
pealingly.
1T is hopeless, Darlie." he said, pris-
Oning the two little hands in one broad
palm, while the other arm encircled her
slender. unresisting figure. Il am to
be disinherited, and you are to be
homeless unless we give each other up.
Could you bear poverty for my sake;
darling?" !.
81 could bear it with You, but not for
yOu," she murmured. ''HOw could
endure to know that you had given up
your birth-right for meP"
"Of what value is it without youp See
here, Darlie, we love each other too
well to have any misunderstanding. l
shall never give you up. Heaven help
ing, am man enough to support my
wife, and I'll do it. Let us wait pa
ticntly, until the right time comes-when
It does. our beloved cousins may have
the money and the Hall in welcome.
shall have you"
"And do you think l will let you
make such Il sacriticep' asked Darlie,
quietly. "No. I shall go away, OF
course. must get position ~ COVER
ness, and--by and .by-you will forget
all about this, and be a happy, prosper
Gus man." & 80 Ne r.
"You would give me up, thenp" re-
prOachfully.
"For your own good. yes
"And YOU really suppose ] should let
you go?'' - @
You could not help it,
You shall see whether ] can help
itr' Burke exclaimed, clasping her pas
sionatcly. my little love, you are all
the world To me, Mnd Twin hold you
fast against life and death.