The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1885-02-06

VIII not DO so selfish as 10 ruin your
future"
say" said Hope, "that's the specious
argument you tempted me with twelve
years ago.. But she was helpless child
then; she is woman now, and can de-
be your partner. / have a small royalty
on your coal, and that is enough for me;
but Grace shall do as she pleases. My
child, will you go to the brilliant future
that his wealth can secure you, OF share
my modest independence, which will
need all my love to brighten it? Think
before you answer; your own future life
depends upon yourself"
With this he turned his back and
walked for some distance very stOutly,
then leaned upon the palings with his
back toward Grace; but evena back can
speak, and the young lady looked at
him and her eyes filled; then she turned
them toward BARLEY, and those clear
eyes dried as if the fire in the heart had
scorched them.
I'm the first place, sir" said she, with
cold and cutting voice, very unusual
to her, "my name is not Mary, it is
Grace; and be assured of this, If there
was not another roof in all the world to
shelter me, if l was helpless, friendless,
and fatherless, would die in the near
est ditch rather than set my foot in the
house from which was thrust out with
shame and insult such as no lady ever
yet fOrgave. But, thank Heaven, / am
not at your mercy at all. He to whom
nature has drawn me all these years is
my father Oh, papa. come to me; is
it for goa to stand alOof? 1t is into your
hands, with all the trust and love you
have earned so well from your poor
~ 4 nixy
and my heart and soul forever" Then
she flung herself painting on his bosom,
and he cried over her. The next mo-
ment he led her to the house, where he
made her promise to repOse now after
this fresh trial: and, indeed, he would
have followed her, but BARLEY implored
him SO piteously for the sake of old
times not to refuse him one word more,
that.he relented go far as to come out
to him, though he felt it was a waste Of
time.
He said, "Mr. BARLEY, it's no use;
nothing can undo this mornings work;
our paths lie apart. From something
Walter Clifford let fall enc day, l sus-
pect he is the person you robbed, and
induced me to rob, of a large fortune"
well, what is he to you? Have pity
upon me; be silent, and name your own
price"
Wrong Walter Clifford with my eyes
openY He is the last man in the world
that | would wrong in money matters.
L have got stern account against him,
and | will begin it by speaking the truth
and giving him back his own"
Here the interview was interrupted
by an honest miner, one Jim Perkins.
lie came in hurriedly, and, like people
OF that class, thrust everybody else's
business out Of his way. You are
wanted 1T the mine, Mr.. Hope. The
snoring Of the old works is giving way,
and there's deal of water collecting-in
another part"
"I'll come at Once," said Hope; "the
mems lives must not he endangered.
Have the cage ready" Jim walked
away.
Hope turned to BARLEY.
spray understand, Mr.. BARLEY. that
this is my last visit to your mine."
"One moment, Hope" cried BARLEY,
in despair. "We have been friends SO
long, surely you owe me something"
"Well, then, I'll make you rich for life
il you will but let Mary return to me
and only just be silent; speak neither
for me nor against me; surely that is
not much for an old friend to ask. What
is your answer"
"That l will speak the truth, and
keep my conscience and my child"
This answer literally crushed BARLEY.
His knees knocked together; he leaned
against the palings sick at heart. lie
saw that Colonel Clifford would eXtort
not only Walters legacy, but what the
lawyers call the mesne profits, that is to
say, the interest and the various pro-
ceeds from the fraud during fourteen
years.
Whilst he was in this condition of
bodily collapse and mental horror, a
cold, cynical voice dropped icicles, so to
speak, into his ear.
"In q fix, governor, ell? The girl
won't come back, and Hope won't hold
his tongue"
BARLEY looked round in amazement,
and saw the cadaverOus face and dia-
bOlical sheer of Leonard MoncktOn.
Fourteen years and evil passions had
furrOwed that bloodless cheek; but there
was no mistaking the man. 1t was a
surprise to BARLEY to see him there, and
be spoken to by knave who had tried
to rob him; but he was too full of his
immediate trouble to think much of
minor things.
"What do you know about it?" said
he, roughly.
"I'll tell YOU" said Monckton, coolly.
He then walked in most leisurely
way to the gate that led into the mead
ow, whose eastern boundary was Hopes
quickest hedge, and he came in the same
leisurely way up to Mr.. BARLEY, and
leaned his back, with his hands behind
him, with perfect effrontery, against
the palings.
81 know ALL" said he. 81 overheard
you in your Office fourteen years ago,
when you changed children with Hope"
BARLEY uttered an exclamation of dis
may.
"And I've been lowering about here
all day, and watched the little game, and
now 1 am fly, and no mistake"
BARLEY threw up his hands in dis
may. "Then it's all over; am doubly
ruined. cannot hope to silence you
BOTH"
Don't speak so loud governor"
"Why not?' said BARLEY; "othcrs will,
if don't" He lowered his voice for all
that, and wondered what was coming.
listen to me-" said Monckton, ex-
changing his cynical manner for quiet
and weighty one.
BARLEY began to wonder and look at
him with "a sort of awe The words now