The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1885-01-09

year. Another gathers the flower. He
| watched and tended and trembled over
the tender nesting. The young bird is
trying her wings before his eyes; soon
she will spread them, and fly away to a
newer nest and a younger bosom.
In this case, however, the young peo-
pie had their troubles too, and their
pretty c0urtship was soon interrupted
by an unwelcOme and unexpected visi-
tor, who, as rule, avoided that part,
for the very reason that Colonel Cliff
ford frequented it. However, he came
there to-day to speak to Hope. Mr..
BARLEY, for he it was, would have
caught the lovers if he had come silent
ly; but he was talking to pitman as he
came, and Mary's quick ears heard his
voice round the corner.
"Papal" cried she. "Oh, don't let him
see usl Hidep
"Where?"
"Anywhere-in here-quick!" and she
flew into Hopes workshop, which in
deed offered great facilities for hiding.
However, to make sure, they crouched
behlnd the lathe and huge plank Of
beautiful mahogany Hope was very
proud of.
AS soon as they were hidden, Mary
began to complain in whisper. "This
comes of our clandestine M. Our
very life is falsehood; concealment is
t0rture-and degradation"
Il don't feel it. i call this good fun"
"Oh. Walter! Good fun! For shame!
Hush!"
BARLEY hustled on to the green, called
Hope out, and sat down in Colonel Cliff
ford's chair. Hope came to him, and
BARLEY, who had in his hand some
drawings of the strata in the coal mine,
handed the book to Hope, and said, Il
quite agree with you. That is the seam
to follow; there's a fortune in it."
"Then you are satisfied with me?"
"MOre than satisfied"
Il have something to ask in return"
II am not likely to say no, my good
friend" was the cordial reply. .
THANK you. Well, then, there is an
attachment between Mary and young
Clifford"
BARLEY was OH his guard directly.
Her happiness is at stake. That gives
me right to interfere, and say, be
kind to her."
Am not kind to her? Was any pa
rent ever kinder? But / must be wise
as well as kind. Colonel Clifford can
disinhefit his son."
At this point the young people ven
tured to peep and listen, taking advan-
tage of the circumstance that both
Hope and BARLEY were at some distance,
with their backs turned to the work
shop.
So they both heard Hope say;
Withdraw your personal opposition
to the match, and the other difficulty
can be got over. If you want to be
kind to a young woman. it is no use
feeding her ambition and her avarice,
fn, So HoIC A &c
is love-"
Mary waited the speaker furtive
kiss.
"TO enrich that dear child after your
death, thirty years hence, and break her
heart in the flower of her youth, is to
be unkind to her; and if you are unkind
to her, our compact is broken"
"Unkind to her" said BARLEY. what
male parent has ever been more kind,
more vigilant? Sentimental weakness
is another matter. My affection is more
solid: Can L oblige you in anything
that is businessT
Mr.. Barley" said Hope, "you can
not divert me from the more important
question; business is secondary to that
dear girls happiness. However, have
who is the loser of that large sum which,
as you and have dealt with it, has en-
riched you and given me competence"
That's my business" said BARLEY,
sharply, "for you never fingered shil-
ling of it. So if the pittance pay you
for conducting my business burns your
pocket, why, send it to Rothschild."
And having made this little point,
BARLEY walked away to escape further
comment, and Hope turned on his heel
and walked into his office, and out at
the back door directly, and proceeded
to his duties in the mine; but he was
much displeased with BARLEY, and his
looks showed it.
The coast lay clear. The lovers came
cautiously out, and silently too, for
what they had heard puzzled them not
a little.
Mary came out first, and wore a very
meditative look. She did not say a
word till they got to some little distance
from the workshop. Then she half turn
ed her head toward Walter, who was
behind her, and said, Il suppose you
know we have done q contemplate
thing-listening?"
"Well," said Walter, "it wasn't good
form; but" added he, eve could hardly
help it."
"Of course not" said Mary. "We have
been guilty of aconcealment that drives
us INTO nOleS ana corners, ana all man.
ner of meannesses must be expected to
follow. Well, we hare listened, and /
am very glad of it; for it is plain we are
not the only people who have got Sc
crets. Now tell me, please, what does
it all meany"
"Well, Mary" said Walter, ito tell the
truth, it is ali Greek to me, eXceptabout
the money. l think Icould give aguess
where that came FROM"
"There, now!" cried Mary; "that is SO
like you gentlemen. Money-mOney!
Never mind the money part; leave that
to take care of itself. Gan you explain
what Mr.. Hope said to papa about me?
Mr.. Hope is very superior man, and
papa's adviser IN business. But, after all,
ne is in papa's employment. Papa pays
him. Then how comes he to care more
about my happiness than papa does
and say sol"
"Why. you begged him to intercede."
Eyes" said Mary; "but not to threaten
papa; not to say, If you are unkind to
Mary, our compact is brOken.D
Then she pondered awhile; then she
turned to Walter, and said:
what sort of compact is that? A
cOmnact bptwppn n father and another