Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1883-05-31
which he had been persuaded was
somewhat deficient.

| "AlCu llS Hui uCCA pCtSut'uCu was
| somewhat deficient.
1t was the "oft-told tale" of the cred
ulity of one man and the duplicity OF
another. And there came time when
Peter Scott knew that he was beggared
when he discovered that all his little
fortune, earned by years of honest
zeal, had been, by some manner of
chicanery, transferred to the possession
of Percy Talbot.
MY dear sir, it is one of the freaks
of fortune and is neither curious nor
uncommon" Talbot said blandly to his
victim. 'In my career as speculator,
|, too, have sometimes lost--even to
my last farthing. l have been left
with nothing, absolutely nothing but
my debts. But l never lost courage;
nor must you do so now. Beside, if
you will bring back your pretty fugi-
tive daughter and induce her to become
my wife, l will make you a free gift of
the property that once was yours"
For moment kate's father regard
ed his interlocutor with q fixed and
scathing gaze. The scales had fallen
from those tired and troubled eyes.
MY daughter" at length he enun-
ciated, with dignity that was majes-
tic, "waS wiser than 1-she could not
be deceived by your pretensions as l
have been. may be apauper, sir, but
| shall still be honored that / have a
child who would prefer death to
marriage with such as you"
He turned away haughtily and went
back to the home that was no longer
his. But the shock had been too
sudden, too overwhelming; and an
hour later he lay writhing in mortal
agony at the very gates of death. In
his delirium he raved piteously of his
folly, and of the man whom he had so
trusted only to be befooled. robbed and
insulted. And to his disordered senses
his bonny Kate was everywhere pres
ent. He would listen for her gay
voice and light footsteps; he seemed to
behold her bright and beautiful image,
and he would pathetically entreat her
to forgive him for his harshness and
his great mistake.
Meanwhile, Kate was far away, and
not altogether unhappy. She felt that
somehow, in blissful time to come
she would be providentially guided
back to contentment with her beloved
ones.
One morning visitor was an
nounced, and with much surprise she
turned to stand face to face with her
old suitor, Percy Talbot, as
ever, sleek, smiling, Insignificant.
"You wish to see me?' she queried,
coldly, startled by something oddly
assured and exultant in his aspect.
II wish to discuss matter of busi-
ness with you," he returned, glibly, as
with great nonchalance he appropriat-
ed a cosy chair. "Will you not be seat
ed, too? Where are the roses of your
cheeks, Kate? Are you i'll, or has my
coming disquieted your"
She was pale with anger at his inso-
lence, at his stare of ardent admira-
ton; and she trembled with vague
alarm before his strange look of
triumph; but she stood quite still and
regarded him with calm inquiry.
"You may not be aware of what has
happened at home" he pursued, still
with the honeyed voice and hateful
smile.
NO." was her simple utterance.
"My mission is not a particularly
pleasant one," he continued cautiously;
.'and you make it harder for me, Kate,
you seem so Indifferent; and l have
only come to serve you. Your father
is very illy he may not recover"
Yet she remained silent, watching
him with her scornful, questioning
eyes.
"And beside" her visitor went on,
with semblance of the sympathetic,
'he has been unfortunate in business,
and everything he possesses will be
sold at once if there be no friendly in
terposition. 1 alone have power to
aid him, and will do so if you-oh,
listen, for love you, Katel If you
will be my wife, l will stop this sale,
and your parents shall still have their
home"
He had arisen and approached her
with outstretched arms; but at that
instant the door opened to admit one
whom he had not anticipated meeting
precisely then and there.
"Ah, Mr.. Merle" he articulated,
with extreme politeness. "This is in
deed surprise"
"a mutual SURPRISE" Robert amend
ed drily. my wife and l had scarcely
expected a visit from you"
0Vo,,r xuifo - ho ctonopoorod in cui f+