The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1883-12-13
| BUSINESS ARRANGEMENT.
BY NJ. c. FARLEY.

BY N. c. FARLEY.
She was tall and strong and resolute
looking, with a handsome dark face
that somehow impressed the beholder
with the feeling that the owner was a
person of very high courage, and Of
more than average strength Of mind.
She stood leaning lightly against one
OF the big stone pillars of the veranda,
carelessly pulling off the tops of the
long grasses that grew about her, the
clinging cloth dress revealing the fine
outlines of figure that was almost
statuesque in its elegance. She was
saying in tranquil tone to her small
audience, consisting of one person only,
rs she scattered the heads Of grass in
heaps about her trim feet, that she
hated lovers, and that marriage was
only another form Of slavery scarcely
less obnoxious than that annulled by
the Emancipation proclamation.
"All Of which grant you, but which
still doesn't change the present cir
cumstances," placidly remarked her
interested auditor, ns he calmly lit a
fresh cigar and changed his position on
the garden bench. Though 1 must
confess Miss Renfrew that to my mind
there is distinction rith differ.
ence."
The young lady frowned.
I'm this case it is a moneyed differ.
ence' and moneyed distinction Capt.
Hazard said she, pointedly. "lou
are great firt, and have heard you
declare hundred times that matrimony
is folly You would never be guilty of.
ITO be sure" assented the Captain,
lazily blowing the blue rings of smoke
upon the air. "But you know that cir.
cumstances alter cases, particularly in
the present instance"
"But / do not wish to marry yon."
"Oh! Of course not-most certainly
not" retorted the Captain, with I
cheerful smile, that enraged his fai'
companion more than words could have
done. "But you know the terms of the
will as we'll rs /. 1t is unfortunate
that, while our mutual friend a,lorcd II,
both, and endowed us equally with hel
worldly goods in her last will and tesla
ment, we find it so hard to comply Will
the obligations it imposes upon us
However, you can renounce Your share
of the fortune, Miss Renfrew. by refus
ing to become my wife. That alterna
tive is always left YOU"
She shut her teeth tightly together
and looked ,letiantly at her companion
She saw tall, slightly-stoopea tig
ure, clad in the undress uniform of /,
Captain Of the Guards The sun tina
now threw his slanting beams through
the foliage of the old elm tree shone ol
q face that had seen hundred battles
and that was, every whit, as proud an,
cold and resolute as her own.
Il am too poor to throw away my in
heyitance,' said she, haughtily, puilin,
at the grass again. And yon know
that am poor; too"
For that matter SO am /, said he.
"And you are taking advantage o
my loverty-"
Indeed. no." disclaimed the Cap
tain, hastily; "you can always refuse l.
comply with the obligations laid dow
in the will, Mas Renfrew"
"But IL won't refuse" cried she
angrily. Il won't refuse. Mark tina
down, Capt. Hazard
! A dark red spot burned in the Cap
tain's pale cheeks for an instant, AZ,
he sighed deeply. But whether tn
sigh was cause by feeling Of relief o
disappointment was impossible to DE-
I termine. IL
/ .Tlen you will he my wifes'
II will marry you to secure my shar
| in the estate of the late Mrs. Ford, an,
for that reason only said she, slowl
and scornfully. "lon are not to sup
pose that love You, fer | do not"
"Thank you. Ineyer suppose any
thing. Miss Renfrew."
1T is to he purely business arrange
ment." she continued, with an angr
stamp.
"Oh, certainly! A business arrang,
ment only understand YOU, assente
he, politely. Viewing marriage IL tn
light oil business relation will enabl
us TO manage the whole affair with
cir,umspoction and precision that NIGH
he wanting were We prompted by othe
than mercenary motives.
Il shall continue on flirting after "
that isl shall do exactly us / pleas
after" She choked and hesitatel.
"After We are marr'ed.' sid t.
Captain, quietly, finishing the ssrts nc
for her. That is to be expected, ant
pom my word, ! think | will, too
None of those hum-drum lives for me
wIere Darby and Joan seclude then
I .lv@., y.,,., H.. ,..,.t.1 ,n.5 -.
tons, for each other. No, Nj ss Rel
frew, we'll each have u hundred string
to our bow--if we can get 'em, and "
will manage to spend onr late friend
money in decent though god style an
have pleasant time while it lasts. "
will look upon tbs marriage from no
on IN the ght of u business affair
sort of partnership, rs il We're, whie
does moi limit either one oi lis 10 an
certain and circumscribed round Of d,
ties. BY the terms of the will, "
shall have to keep the house on th
avenue open certain portion ot eac
year. and do some entertaining. Bl
that in easily managed. You can has
sour great friend and adorer, JACKIE
Littleiield, at the house a. often as yo
like, and hope you won't forget to il
si!e a few Of the Young ladies' whol
You know | have preference for. II
certain that Well get along famous'y
this May"
Miss Renfrea stared hard at the Ca]
tain. Was there the faintest, almo
impe eeptible, ring of sarcasm in h
words and tone? But TO, thl
could not be-. Capt. Hazard had Les
a tiirt and lady-killer from his yout
up, aud the sentiments he now q
! IL mar. IL anI.lsn Lii raal nna