The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-04-26
LOVE Or MONEY;
= OR,
A PERILOUS SECRET.
BY CHARLES READE,
Author Of Put Yourself In His Place"
etc, etc, etc
CHAPTER vi.
SHARP PRACTICE.

Hope was one of those choice spirits
who praise the bridge that carries them
safe over the stream of adversely.
He returned TO Sussex with all the
news. and amongst the rest. that Colo
mel Clifford had farm coming vacant.
Walter Clifford had insisted on high
er rent at the conclusion of the term,
but the tenant had demuTred.
BARLEY paid little attention at the
time; but by-and-by he said, Did you
not see signs of coal on Colonel Cliff
ford's property
That | did and on this very farm and
told him So But he is behind the age.
/ have no patience with him. Take one
of those old iron ramTOds that used to
load the old musket and cover that
ramrOd with prejudices a foot and a
half deep, and there you have Colonel
Clifford"
well, but a tenant would not be
bound by his prejudices."
"A tenant A tenant takes no right
10 mine, under a farm lease; he would
have to propose a special contract, or
to ask leave, and Colonel Clifford would
never grant it"
There the conversation dropped. But
the matter ranked in Bartley's mind.
Without saying any more TO Hope, he
consulted a sharp attorney.
The result was that he took Mary
BARLEY with him into Derbyshire.
He put mp at little inn, and called
nt Clifford Hau.
He found Colonel Clifford at home,
and was received stifly. but graciOusly.
He gave Colonel Clifford to understand
that he had left business.
AL the better, said Colonel Clifford,
sharply.
"And taken to farming"
~Ughl" said the other, with his IA
TOTite snort.
AT this moment who should walk in
to the room but Walter Clifford.
BARLEY started and stared.
~Mr. Bolton" said BARLEY, scarcely
above a whisper.
But Colonel Clifford heard it. and
said, brusquely: "Boltonl No. Why,
this is Walter Clifford. my son, and my
man of businesS.-Walter, this is Mr..
BARLEY"
Proud to make your acquaintance,
sir" said the astute BARLEY, ignoring
the past.
Walter was glad he took this line be-
fore Colonel Clifford: not that he for
gave Mr.. BARLEY that old affront the
reader knows of.
The judicious BARLEY read his face,
and, as a first step toward Precipitation,
introduced him TO bis daughter. Wal
ter was amazed at her beauty and grace,
coming from such stock. He welcOm-
ed her cautiously, but shyly. She re-
piled with rare affability, and that en-
tire absence of mock-modesty which
was already feature in her character.
To be sure, she was little more than
fifteen, though she was full grown, and
looked nearer twenty.
BARLEY began To feel his way with
Colonel Clifford about the farm. lie
told him he was pretty successful In
agriculture, thanks to the assistance OF
an experienced friend, and then he said
half carelessly, "By-the-bye, they tell
me you have one to let. Is that SOI"
Walter" said Colonel Clifford, "have
you farm to let?'
Not at present, sir; but one will be
vacant III month, unless the present
tenant consents to pay thirty per cent
more than he has DONE"
Might see that farm, Mr.. Walter?'
asked BARLEY
Certainly" said Walter; II shall bt
happy to show you over it." Then he
turned to Mary. Il am afraid it would
be no compliment to you. Ladies arr
not interested in farms"
~Oh, but am, since papa is, and Mr.
Hope; and then on oar farm there are sc
many dear little young things; little
calves, little lambs, and little pigs. Lit
tie pigs are ducks -rery little ones,
mean; and there is nearly always {
young colt about, that eats out of my
hand. Not like farm? The ideal"
@Then will show you all over ours
you and your papa" said Walter, warm
ly. He then asked Mr.. BARLEY WHERE
he was to be found: and when Mr.. Bart
ley told him at the Dun Cow" he look
ed at Mary and said, "Ohl"
Mary understood in q moment, anC
laughed and said: I'VE are very com
Portable, l assure you. We have tn,
parlor all to ourselves, and there ar
samplers hung up, and OH such funn,
pictures, and the landlady is beginning
TO spoil me already
Nobody can spoil you, Mary saiC
Mr.. Bartl1y.
have been trying good many years."
Colonel Clifford, graciously. Then h,
gave half start and said: Here am
calling her miss when she is my owl
niece, and, now think of it, she can
be half as old as she looks. l remem
Der TIE day she was born. My dear ,yoI
are ar impostor."
BARLEY changed color at this chanc,
shaft. But Colonel Clifford explained
You pass for twenty, and you can
Be more than-Let me see."
Il am fifteen and four months,s sal,
Mary, -ard | do take people in-crlielly.
We'll" said Colonel Clifford, you Sc
you can't take me in. know your date
So come and give your old rufRan of al
uncle kiss"
That / WILL cried Mary, and flew a
Colonel Clifford, and flung both arm
round his neck and kissed him. -Oh
papa said she, Il have got an uncl
now. A hero, too; and me that is $
fond OF heroesl Only this is my first
out of books"
MARY, my DEAR said BARLEY, 'yo1
are too impetuous. Please excuse her
Colonel Clifford. Now, my dear, shak
hands with your cousin, for we must b
going"
Mary complied; but not at all impetu
ously. She lowered her long lashes AN
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