The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1884-03-06
as for your pride, I call it foolishness.

duty owe to the dead my conscience
should prove unworthy Of it. Risking
the loss of your regard, major, I must
still adhere to my course"
She scratched off two ADVERTISE
ments, handing them to me as she rose.
NATURALIZATION as governess," and
s'For sale-Hamilton place." were the
headings. did my best to obtain hel
consent to tearing up the first, but all
she would say was, ''Do not urge me"
How like she was to Oswald, with
that square jaw, that firm, clear tone
and imperious pose.
And so perhaps because of the remind.
cry Igainsaid her no longer. Governess
she should be, if she wished, and
Josepha went home as pleased as any
headstrong girl who has had her OWL
way.
In pursuance of plan to head her of
I sent telegram to Reg. The idea Of
her not loving such fine, manly true
hearted fellow. the best man ever inside
a ieutenant's uniform. He had only tc
ask to we'd anywhere. He came as soon
as he could get leave. They we're off in
fortnight.
I told him of Josepha's resolves.
'"There is one power that will STOP
her"
''And that, uncle?"
Glove" Profound sigh from Reg,
but no disposition to open his mouth
''Do you try your luck again? Re-
member the old rule about two neg
atives. I have observed the young
woman pretty closely, and I think you
will succeed. Tell her that in case she
consents to make us the happiest ofmen
you are to give up your commission and
come into my firm at once. Pshaw,
boy! Don't look so dazzled, T have in
tended it all along; only take time by
the forelock, you know. There, you
young bear Would you hug me to death
Go along with you! Tell Josepha when
you find her that an eccentric old duff
fer who has taken a fancy to the place
offered 925, 900 to-day for it. and that
being by all odds more than she can ex-
pect to have offered again L took him up .
Cali right, uncle; anything more?"
He was already half out of the library.
'"Tell her-no, never mind"
Reg was by this time beyond hearing.
For an hour walked up and down
my lonely, luxurious drawing-room.
Free from restraint of Reginald's
company, the fever rose again in my
blood, my pulse beat fast, my step
quickened. Then I formed hundred
plans which would aid in crushing down
my heart. I would travel; I would
trust to time; with seas and years be-
tween would grow calmer in my feel
ings. I would come back and find my
happiness in Reginald's and hers. ]
would give them Hamilton place fol
their wedding gift and I imagined my
self in after years frolicking on those
green terraces with Reggie's oldest OF
youngest, as the case might be. But
the fever rose again, the longing was as
strong as it was vain. was not in the
frame of mind to meet my nephew, and
as soon as my roam was saddled Isprang
to her back and was of-away-I cared
not where, so I could ride this mad
ness down.
I came home late. The hardest bat
tie I had ever fought I had won. had
such grip on myself that after seeing
Bess comfortably stabbed and rubbed
down, I went to Reggie's room without
the least fear of self betrayal.
But the lad was not there. A note
sticking in the mirror frame attracted
my attention. It was addressed to me-
It ran with many a blot and erasure.
DEAR OLD UNCLE-It was a mistake
Josepha never really cared two pins TO,
me. That boy and girl affair wasn't
love atall. She told me so before, and ]
ought to have known better than to &C
to her twice, but you-there, I DOM
blame you, uncle. How should yor
know? She was very kind-if you car
call that sort Of a thing kind, and
dare say I shall get over it, But Tn
awfully cut up, and I don't feel as if
could face even you yet; so I'm Oft, with
out waiting for you.
A line or two more so badly blurred
as to be illegible, and a great scraw
which bore but faint resemblance tt
'Reg."
Poor lad! Poor lad He tried hare
to be CHEEKY in the farewell letter he
sent before he left the shores of ole
England, but I saw the heartache be.
tween the lines.
In few days I was called suddenly
to London on business, being detained
there some little time. When I re-
turned to Deerwood it was to find my
erratic young neighbor flown. Mrs
HARDWOOD, my estimable housekeeper
had message for me from Miss Hamil.
ton she would write regularly, but ]
was not to seek her out"
Having delivered the message with 6
dignity, slightly damaged by the curl
Gus, speculative glance with which she
regarded me the while, Mrs. Harwood
rustled majestically away, giving vi.
cious little jerk to the door-knob, as
much as to say, "Well, there! He
might a said more than %, indeed.
just as if T didn't know she'd gone of
a-governessin'! But men is so clus.
mouthed."
As I went into the garden for quiet
smoke, Iheard the housekeeper address.
ing she housemaid: MARY, do you
run with all your might now and tell
cook the majors back again. Yes, ]
gave him the message. Surprised
Well, you never know whether e is OF
e isn't, But, lawd, Mary! think o'tel-
lin i'm, the major, not to seek out ser,
which as gone to be a governess!'
can after'er pacin' off Mr.. Reginald,
the stuck-up piece" said Mary, who
had sweetheart of her own she thought
the world of.
The weeks slipped into months, and
the months numbered eighteen before
saw Josepha again.
She was ill, and wrote for me to come
to her. No. Beverly square was the
address, and the neighborhood was most
aristocratic. No. 6 was an imposing
stone house of the mausoleum type.
In answer to my ring there appeared an
understood footman, whose gravity of
demeanor carried out the funereal idea
suggested by the house itself. Untold
millions could not have tempted him to
smile.
He went off with my card, and by and
by Josepha- her ghost-trailed down
the stairs. To give you an idea of how
weak she was, let me tell you that
there were two tears in her eyes when I
took her hands. Josepha, and Josepha
reduced to womanly tears. It was diff
fcult to reconcile the two.
I saw my chance and took advantage
of it. Now, while she was unfit, for
work, homesick and needing . change,
she must make Durand visit. Mrs.
Marwood knew how to make ny guests
comfortable, and nothing would suit
me better.