The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1884-12-19

fled the old soldier more than all. He
was sole proprietor of the village, and
every house in it, with the exception of
a certain beer-house, fanked by an acre
and a half Of ground. This beer-house
was u great eye-sore to him; he tried to
buy this small free-holder cut; but the
man saw his advantage. and demanded
E1500-nearly treble the real value.
Walter, however, by negotiating in a
more friendly spirit, had obtained re-
ductiOn, and was about to complete the
purchase for fll50. But when Walter
left the country the proprietor never
dreamed of going again to the naughty
Colonel. He went to BARLEY, and Bart
ley bought the property in five minutes
for G12OO, and paid Il deposit to clinch
the contract. He completed the pur-
chase with unheard-Of rapidity, and set
an army of wOrkmen to raise pit vii
lage, or street of eighty houses. They
were ten times better built than the
ColOnels cottages; not one of them
could ever be vacant, they were too
great boon to the miners; nor could
the rent be in arrears, with so sharp
hand as the mine-Owner; the beer-hOuse
was to be perpetuated, and nucleus of
custom secured from the miners, partly
by the truck system, and partly by the
superiority of the liquor, for BARLEY
announced ut once that he should brew
the beer.
All these things were too much fer a
man with govt in his system; Colonel
Clifford had a worse attack of that
complaint than ever; it rose from his
feet to other parts Of his frame, and he
took to his bed.
In that condition aphysician and sur
geon visited him daily, and his lawyer
also was sent for, and was clOseted with
him for long time on more than one
occasion.
All this caused deal of speculation
in the village, and as q system of fetch
and carry was now established by which
the rival magnates also received plenty
of information, though not always ac-
curate, about each other, Mr.. BARLEY
heard what was going on, and put his
own construction upon it.
Just when Mr.. Hope was expected to
return came a letter to Mary to say that
he should be detained a day or two
longer, as he had sore throat and
fever, but nothing alarming. Three or
four days later came letter only sign
ed by him, to say he had a slight attack
OF typhoid fever, and was under medical
care.
Mary implored Mr.. BARLEY to let her
go to him. He refused, and gave his
reasons, which were really sufficient,
and now he became more unwilling
than ever to let her visit Mrs. Easton.
This was the condition Of affairs when
one day an old man with white hair,
dressed in black, and looking almost
gentleman, was driven up to the farm
by Colonel Clifford's groom, and asked,
i'm an agitated voice, if he might see
Miss BARLEY.
Her visitors were so few that she was
never refused on speculation, so John
Baker was shown at once to her draw
ing-rOOm. lie was too much agitated
to waste time.
"Oh, Miss Barley" said he. I'VE are
in great distress at the Hall. Mr.. Wal
ter has gone, and not left his address,
and my poor master is dying!"
Mary uttered an unfeigned eXclama-
ton of horror.
AN, MISS" said the old man, God
bless you; you feel for us. Pm not on
the old mans side, miss; I'm on Mr..
Walters side in this as l was in the
other business, but now see my poor
old master lying pale and still, not long
for this world, do begin to blame my
self. never thought that he would
have taken it all to heart like this. But,
there, the only thing now is to bring
them together before he goes. We
know what country he is in. He sent
a line to Miss Clifford a month ago from
Dover, but that is all; but, in course, he
writes to yOu-thdt stands to reason;
you'll give me his address, miss, won't
your and we shall all bless YOU"
Mary turned pale, and the tears
streamed down her eyes. "Oh, sir"
said she. I'D give the world if l could
tell you. know who you are; my poor
Walter has often spoken Of you to me,
Mr. Baker. One word from you would
have been enough; would have done
anything for you that l could. But he
has never written to me at all. am as
much deserted as any of you, and have
felt it as deeply as any father can, but
never have felt it as now. What! The
father to die, and his sons hand not in
his; no look of love and forgiveness to
pass between them as the poor old man
leaves this world, its ambitions and its
quarrels, and perhaps sees for the first
time how small they all are compared
with the love Of those that love us, and
the peace of God" Then this ardent
girl stretched out both her hands. 20
God, if my frivolous life has been in
horrible thing; don't let the father die
without comfort, nor the son without
forgiveness, for miserable girl who
has come between them and meant no
HARM"
This eloquent burst quite Overpower-
ed poor old John Baker. He dropped
into chair, his white head sank upon
his bosom, he sobbed and trembled, and
for the first time showed his age.
what on earth is the matter? said
Mr.. Bartley's voice, as cold as an lclcle,
at the door. Mary sprang toward him
impetuOusly. "Oh, papa!" she cried,
Colonel Clifford is dying, and we don't
know where Walter is; we can't know"
"Wait little" said BARLEY, in some
agitation. "My letters have Just come
in, and l thought / saw a foreign post
mark" He slipped back into the hall,
brought in several letters, selected one,
and gave it to Mary. "This is for you,
from Marseilles."
He then retired to his study, and with
out the least agitation or the least loss
of time returned with book of tele-
graph forms.
Meanwhile Mary tore the letter open,
4 30, V,I,, Daly