Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1883-11-23

place for you;" and then l called
myself an old blunderer who deserved
to be well kicked for his unuttorable
stupidity.
mo, II Is my home, my dear old
home, no longer, have looked over
the papers which are in this box enough
TO see plainly that the place will not be
sufficient TO satisfy the demands of the
creditors. Let me know rs soon rs you
can the full amount of the deiicit have
thought 1t all out. No, dear Major, 1
can not be contented to remain idly at
Deerwood, kindly AS you mean the
offer, while my fathers debts remain
unpaid. Ali | am afraid you are an
CRY; but indeed, indeed, can not"
She was rock to arguments and per-
sunsion. She was her fathers own
daughter After all, her spirit and de-
termination demanded admiration. /
gave it grudg g'ngly enough, feeling as If
| should enjoy scolding her soundly and
then kiss ing her!
l took the box, and chose to leave her
with tho impression that disapprovcd
totally of herself and her determine
tions.
j sat down to hard work over the pa
pcrs, and when morning dawncd l
could talk definitely about the state of
affairs.
Well, they were in very bad way,
indeed. l made no effort to mince
things to Josepha, who had made me
an early call. She gave little gasp,
turned her back on me, and walked
straight to the window.
1t was q beastly morning; couldn't
have been nastier. The rain fell driz-
zle, drizzle, drizzlc. She could
see the gray shaft which marked her
fathers grave. 1t was dreadful The
clock licked on and on.
"Josepha" (Anythingto to break the
stormy silence.)
No reply.
"You are not legally bound to pay
these debts. All the law can do is to
claim the estate"
Perhaps she heard. She turned her
head triile.
~ do wish you would be more like
people. Here / am with more money
than can use. Borrow of me, Your
false notions will benefit nobody and as
for your pride call it foolishness. At
any rate, stay here at Decrwood. will
go away willingly if it will be pleasant
er in any way for you. Let me, as your
fathers old friend, advise you.'
She came to my chair, and put her
hand to my shoulder.
"Did l rate your friendship (and it is
very, very dear to me) above the duty l
owe to the dead and my conscience l
should prove unworthy of it. Risking
the loss of your regard, Major, l must
adhere to my course"
She scratched off two advertisements,
handing them to me rs she rose
Wanted-Position as governess, and
For sale-Hamilton Place." were the
headings. did my best to obtain her
consent to tearing up the first, but all
she would say was: "Do not urge me.n
How like she was to Oswald, with
that square jaw, that firm, clear tone,
and imperious pose.
And so Cperhaps because of the re-
minder) gainsaid her no longer. Gov
erness she should be if she wished, and
Josepha went home pleased as any
headstrong girl who has her way.
In pursuance of plan to head her
off l sent a telegram to Reg. The idea
of her not loving such fine, manly,
true-hearted fellow, the best man ever
inside Leutenant's uniform. He had
only to ask to wed anywhere. He came
as soon as he could get leave. They
were off in fortnight.
l told him of Josepha's resolves.
"Ihere is one power that will stop
her."
sand that, uncle?"
"Love." Profound sigh from Reg,
but no disposition to open his mouth.
"Do you try your luck again! Re-
member the old rule about two mega
tives. have observed the young wom-
an pretty closely, and think you will
succeed. Tell her in case she consents
to make us the happiest of men you are
to give up your commission and come
into my firm at once. Pshaw, boy.
Don't look so dazed. / have intended
it all along; only taking time by the
forelock, you know. There, you young
bear! Would you hug me to deathp Go
along with you! Tell Josepha when you
find her that an eccentric old duffer
who has taken fancy to the place Of
fered f25, 900 to-day for it, and that
being by long odds more than she can
expect to have offered again, took
him up"
"All right, uncle; anything more?
He was already half out of the libra
rp.
"Tell her--no, never mind"
Reg was by this time beyond hearing.
For an hour l walked up and down
my lonely, luxurious drawing-room.
Free from the restraint of Reginald's
company, the fever rose again in my
blood, my pulse beat fast, my step
quickened. Then formed hundred
plans which would aid in crushing
down my heart. 1 would travel; l
would trust to time; with seas and
years between would grow calmer in
my feelings. l would come back and
find my happiness in Reginald's aud
hers. l would give them Hamilton
Place for their wedding-gift, and i'm
agined myself in cfter years frolicking
on those green terraces with Reggie 3
oldest or youngest, as the case might
be. But the fever rose again, the long
ing was rs strong as II was vain. |
was not in the frame of mind to meet
my nephew, and as soon rs my roam
was saddled sprang TO her back and
was off-away--l cared not where so l
couio iiue iiiiS iihuHesS uOWn.
l came home late. The hardest bat
tie had ever fought had won. / had
such grip on myself that, after seeing
Bess comfortably stabbed and rubbed
down, went TO Reggies room without
the least fear of self-bctrayal.
But the lad WAS not there. A note
sticking in the mrror-frame attracted
my attention. 1t was addressed to me.
1t ran, with many blot and erasurc:
DEAR OLD UNCLE: 1t was ail n mistake.
Josepha never really cared two pins for me-
That boy and girl affair wasn't love ut all
She told me 80 before, and 1 ought TO have
known better than to go to her twice, but YOU
there, l don't blame you, uncle. How
should Wt know She was very kind-lf you
can call that sort of thing kind and dare say
shall get over IL. hut I'm awfully cut up.
and don't feel as II / could face even YOU
Just yet; 30 I'm on without waiting for YOU"
A line or two more so badly blurred
n N ha illanibla and o,,.ant