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


qe must speak 10 ner directly. wouia
she meet him for moment at the gar
den gate at nine o'clock that evening.
NO, no, mol" cried Mary, as if he was
here. She was frightened. Suppose
they should be caught The shame
the disgrace. But oh, the temptation!
Well, then, how wrong Of him to tempt
her! She must not go. There was no
time to write and refuse; but she must
not go. She would not go. And in this
resolution she persisted. Nine o'clock
struck, and she never moved. Then she
began to picture Walters face of disap-
pointment and his unhappiness. At
ten minutes past nine she tied hand
kerchief round her head and went.
There he was at the gate, pale and
agitated. He did not give her time to
scOld him.
spray forgive me-" he said; "but 1
saw no other way. 1t is all over, Mary,
unless you love me as love YOU"
Don't begin by doubling me-" she
said. "Tell me, dear"
at is soon told. Our fathers have
met at that wretched pit, and the fore
man has told me what passed between
them. My father complained that min
ing for coal was not husbandry, anil it
was very unfair to do it, and to smoke
him out of house and home. (UnfOrtu-
nately the wind was west, and blew the
smoke of the steam-engine over his
lawn.) Your father said he took the
farm under that express stipulation.
Colonel Clifford said, No; the cOnditiOn
was Struggled in.' Then smuggle it
out said Mr.. Barley"
IF Il had only ended there, Mary.
But they were both in a passion, and
must empty their hearts. Colonel Cliff
but had other views for his son. Mr..
BARLEY said he was thankful to hear 1t,
for he looked higher for his daughte-.
Higher in trade, l suppose said my
father; the Lord Mayors nephew
'Well,' said Mr.. BARLEY, / would rather
marry her to money than tOmOrtgages.
And the end of it was they parted enc
mics for life"
mo, no; not for life!"
"For life, Mary 1t is an old grudge
revived. Indeed, the first quarrel was
only skinned over. Don't deceiveyour-
self. We have nothing to do but dis
obey them or part"
"And you can say that, Walter? Oh,
have little patience"
$50 would" said Walter, eff there
is nothing to wait for but the death of
our parents, and by that time shall be
an elderly man, and you will have lost
your bloom and wasted your yOuth-fOr
what? No; | feel sometimes this will
drive me mad, or make me villain.
am beginning to hate my own father,
and everybody else that thwarts my
love. How can they earn my hate more
surely? No, Mary; see the future as
plainly as l see your dear face, SO pale
and shocked. l can't help it. If you
will marry me, and SO make sure, Twill
keep it secret as long asyou like; l shall
have got you, whatever they may say or
do; but if you won't, I'll leave the cOun-
try at once, and get peace If can't get
love-"
Leave the cOuntry?" said Mary, faint
ly. what good would that dor"
81 don't know. Perhaps bring my
father to his senses for one thing; and
who knows?-perhaps you will listen
to reason when you see l can't wait for
the consent of two egOtists-fOr that is
what they both are-that have no real
love or pity for you or me-"
"Ah," said Mary, with deep sigh, IL
see even men have their faults, and l
admired them so. They are impatient,
selfish"
"Yes, if it is selfish to defend ones
self against brutal selfishneSs, l am sell
fish; anC that is better than to be slave
to cyclists, and lie down to be trOdden
on as You would do. Come, Mary, for
PHYS sake. decide which you love best
your father; who does not care much
for you, or me, who adore you, and will
give you a life of gratitude as well as
love, if.yOu will only see things as they
are and always will be, and trust your
self to me as my dear, dear, blessed,
adOred wife!"
81 love you best" said Mary, "and
hope it is not wicked. Vut love him
too, though he does say wait And l
respect myself, and l dare not defy my
parent, and will not marry secretly;
that is degrading. And, oh, Walter,
think how young am and inexperienc-
ed, and you that are so much older, and
l hoped would be my guide and make
me better; is it you who tempt me to
clandestine meetings that l blush for,
and clandestine marriage for which
should despise myself?"
Walter turned suddenly calm, for
these words pricked his conscience.
You are right" said he. 81 am a
blackguard, and you are an angel of
purity and goodness. Forgive me,
will never tempt nor torment you again.
For PHYS sake forgive me. You don't
know what mems passions are. For
give mew
with all my heart, DEAR" said Mary,
crying gently.
lie put both arms suddenly round her
neck and kissed her wet eyes with a
sigh of despair. Then he seemed to tear
himself away by great effort. and she
leaned limp and pOwerless on the gate
and heard his footsteps die away into
the night. They struck chill upon heI
forebOding heart, for she felt that they
were parted.
CHAPTER Y.
THE GORDIAN KNOT.