The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1885-02-27

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fined, so gentle"
Grace blushed and said, languidly,
"For all that, am an athlete"
AN athlete. childY"
yes, sir. Mr.. BARLEY took care Of
that. He would never let me wear a
corset, and for years he made me do
calisthenics under master"
"Calisthenics?"
THAT is a fine word for gymnastics"
Then with double dose Of languor, II
can go up loose rope forty feet, so it
was nothing to me to come down one.
The hedge was the worst thing; but my
father was in danger, and my blood was
up" She turned suddenly on the Colo
used TO keep race-hOrseS, Walter told
me-" The Colonel stared ut this sud-
den turn.
THAT did," said he; "and pretty
penny they cost me-"
well, sir, is not q race-horse poor
mincing thing until her blood gets up
gallopingY"
by Jove! you are right" said he;
"she steps like a cat upon hot bricks
But the comparison is not needed.
Whatever statement Mrs. Walter Cliff
ford makes to me seriously is gospel to
me, who already know enough of her to
respect her lightest word. Pray grant
me this much, that BARLEY is true
penitent, for have proof of it in this
drawer. I'll show it to YOU"
mo, no, please not" said Grace, in
no little agitation. LET me take your
word for that, as you have taken mine
Oh, sir, he is nothing to me compared
with what thought you wished to say
to me. But it is / who must find the
courage to say things that will wound
you and me still more. Colonel Cliff
you know all, but indeed your house is
not the place for my father or for me-"
"Why not, madam" said the Colonel,
stiflly, "since you are my daughter-in-
lawI"
She did not reply.
Ali" said he, cOloring high and rising
from his chair. lie began to walk the
room i'll some agitation. You are
right" said he; Il once affronted YOU
cruelty. unpardonably. Still. pray con-
slider that you passed for Baltley's
daughter; that was my objection to you,
and then did not know your character.
But when saw you come ont pale and
resolved to sacrifice yourself to justice
and another woman. that converted me
ut once. Ask Julia what said about
yOu."
Il must interrupt you said Grace
cannot let such man rs you excuse
yourself to a girl of eighteen who has
nothing but reverence for You, and
would love you if she dared
Then all | can say Is that you are
very mysterious, my dear. and | wish
you would speak OUT
Il shall speak ont soon enough" said
Grace, SOlemnly, NOW ! have begun.
Colonel Clifford. YOU lave nothing to
reproach yourself with. No more have
|, for that matter. Yet we must both
suffer" She hesitated Il moment. and
then said, firmly, You do up the honor
TO approve my conduct in that dreadful
situation. Did YOU hear I'll That passed.
did you take notice of all sa:d!"
Il did" said Colonel Clifford. Il shall
never forget that scene. nor he distress,
nor the fortitude of her am proud to
call my daughter"
Grace put her hands before her face
at these kind words, and he saw the
tears tricklc between her white fingers.
lie began To wonder, and to feel uneasy.
But the brave girl shook off her tears,
and manned herself if we may use such
an expression.
Then. sir said she. slowly and en-
phatically, though quietly, did you not
think it strange that | should say to my
father, Il don't know lie asked me
before you all. Are you wife?' Twice
| said to my father-to him | thought
was my father don't know Can
you account for that, sir"
Tie Colonel replied. 81 was so unable
to account for il that took Julia Cliff
ford's opinion on it directly. as we were
going home"
And what did she say!'
oh. she said ii was plain enough.
The fellow had forbidden you to own
the marriage, and you were an obedient
wife: and. like women i'll general, strong
against other people, but weak against
one"
$50 that is q woman's reading of q wo-
man." said Grace. "She will sacrifice
her honor, and her fathers respect, and
court the worlds contempt, and sully
herself for life, to suit the convenience
of husband for few hours. My love
is great, but it is not slavish or silly.
DO you think. sir, that doubted for
one moment Walter Clifford would own
me when he came home and heard what
/ had suffered? Did [ think him so I'M
worthy of my love as TO leave me under
that stigmaY Hardly. Then why should
i blacken Mrs. Walter Clifford for an
afternoon, just to be unblackened at
night?'
"This is good sense" said the Colonel,
"and the thing is a mystery. Can you
solve it?"
you may be sure can, and-woe is
mel must"
She hung her head, and her hands
worked convulsively.
"Sir," said she, after pause, Sup
pose l could not tell the truth to all
those people without subjecting the
man I loved-and / love him now dear
Ell than ever--to terrible punishment
for mere folly done years ago, which
has now become something much worse
than folly-but how? Through his UNI
happy love for mel"
"These are dark words" said the Colo
mel. "How am to understand themt'
Dark as they are" said Grace, do
they not explain my conduct in that bit
ter trial better than Julia Clifford's
guesses do, better than anything that
has occurred since"
Mrs. Walter Clifford" said the Colo
mel, with certain awe, IL see there is
something very grave here, and that it
affects my son. / begin to know you.
YOu waited till he was ont of danger.