Bridgeton pioneer., 1884-12-18

uuceu MN.
"And where are you staying, Percy?"
inquired she.
"At the D-D-Dun-Cow."
what is that?"
Walter explained that it was a small
hostelry, but one that was occasionally
honored by distinguished visitors. Miss
BARLEY stayed three days.
81 h-hope to stay more than that"
said little Percy, with an amorous
glance at Julia.
Miss Clifford took Mary to her room,
and soon asked her what she thought of
him; then anticipating criticism, she
said there was not much of him, but he
was such duck.
"He dresses beautifully" was Mary's
guarded remark.
However, when Walter rode home
with her, being now relieved of his at
tendance on Julia, she was more COM
municative. Said she: II never knew
before that man could look like fresh
cambria. Dear me! his head and his
face and his little whiskers, his white
scarf, his white waist-coat, and all his
clothes, and himself, seem just washed
and ironed and starched. looked round
for the bdndb0I."
Never mind" said Walter "He is a
great addition. My duties devolve on
him. And / shall be free to-How
her eyes Shone and her voice mellOWed
when she spoke to him! Confess, now,
love is beautiful thing"
81 cannot say. Not experienced in
beautiful things" And Mary looked
mighty demure.
"Of course not. What am I thinking
Of? You are only child"
"A little more than that, please"
IS f. all evpnfc 1Oun hno11tiGo1 bo,,
81 saw no difference. She was always
lovely girl"
why, you said she was "a long black
thing"
gagged"
After this young Fitzroy was gener-
ally Miss Clifford's companion in her
many walks, and Walter Clifford had a
delightful time with Mary Barley.
Her nurse discovered how matters
were going. But she said nothing,
From something BARLEY let fall years
ago she OWNED that BARLEY was rob-
bing Walter Clifford by substituting
Hopes child for his own, and she
thought the mischief could be repaired
and the sin atoned for if he and Mary
became man and wife. So she held her
tongue and watched.
The servants at the hall watched the
whole game, and saw how the young
over very freely.
The only person in the dark was Colo
mel Clifford. He was nearly always con-
fined to his room. However, one day
he came down, and found Julia and
Percy together. She introduced Percy
to him. The Colonel was curt. but
grumpy, and Percy soon beat retreat.
The Colonel sent for Walter to his
room. He did not come for some time,
because he was wooing Mary BARLEY.
Colonel Clitford's first word was,
"Who was that little suffering dandy i
caught spooning po,r Julia|
"Only Percy Fitzroy."
"Only Percy Fitzroy. Never despise
your rivals, sir. Always remember that
young women are full of vanity, and ex-
pect to be courted all day long | will
thank you not to leave the field open
single day till you have secured the
prize"
What prize, sir?"
What prize, you ninny? Why. the
beautiful girl that can buy back Odding-
ton and Drayton, peaches and fruit and
all. They are both to be sold at this
moment. What prize? Why, the wife
L nave secured for you, if you don't go
and play the fool and neglect her."
Walter Clifford looked aghast.
Julia Cifford" said he. "Pray don't
ask me to marry her,"
Not ask you-but / do ask you; and
what is more, | command you. Would
you revolt again against your father,
who has forgiven you, and break my
heart, now am enfeebled by disease?
Julia Clifford is your wife, or you are
my son no more"