The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1885-03-13


kind mother to him.
Grace Clifford for some time could
not be got to visit him. Perhaps she is
one of those ladies who cannot get over
personal violence; he had handled her
roughly, to keep her from going to her
fathers help. After all, there may have
been other reasons; it is not so easy to
penetrate all the recesses of the female
heart. One thing is certain; she would
not go near him for months; but when
she did go with her father-and he had
to use all his influence to take her there
the rapture and the tears of joy with
which the poor old fellow received her
disarmed her in moment.
She let him take her through hot
houses and show her his children-"the
only children have now" said he--and
after that she never refused to visit this
erring man. His roof had sheltered her
many years, and he had found out too
late that he loved her, so far as his ma
ture could love at that time.
Percy Fitzroy had an elder sister. He
appealed to her against Julia Clifford.
She cross-questioned him, and told him
he was very foolish to despair. She
would hardly have slapped him if she
was quite resolved to part forever.
Let me have hand in reconciling
you" said she.
"You shall have b-b-both hands in
it, if you like" said he; "for 1 am at my
w-w-wit's end"
So these two consDired.' Miss FitZ-
roy was invited to Percy's house, and
played the mistress. She asked other
young ladies, especially that fair girl
with auburn hair, whom Julia called a
"fat thing" That meant, under the
circumstances, a plump and rounded
model, with small hands and feet; aper-
night satin bust and sculptured arms.
The very first ride Walter took with
Grace and Julia they met the bright
cavalcade of Percy and his sister, and
this red-haired Venus.'s
Percy took off his hat with profound
respect to Julia and Grace, but did not
presume to speak.
what lovely grill" said Grace.
"Do you think so?" said Julia.
eyes, dear; and so do YOU"
"What makes you fancy that?"
Because you looked daggers at her."
. Because she is setting hercap at that
little fool"
"She will not have him without your
consent" GEAR.
And this set Julia thinking.
The next day Walter called on Percy
and played the traitor.
"Give ball." said he.
Miss Fitzroy and her brother gave q
ball. Percy, duly instructed by his sis
ter, wrote to Julia as meek as Moses,
and said he was in great difficulty. II
he invited her, ii would, of course, seem
presumptuous, considering the poor
opinion SHE had of him; If hepassed her
over, and invited Walter Clifford and
Mrs. Clifford, he should be unjust to his
own feelings, and seem disrespectful.
Julia's reply:
DEAR Mr.. FITzRoY,-l am not at all
fond Of j 'alouSv, but / am very fond Of
dancing. Shall come.
Yours sincerely,
JULIA CLIFFORD"
And she did come with vengeance.
She showed them what dark beauty
can do in q blaze of light with a red
rose, and few thousand pounds worth
of diamonds artfully placed.
She danced with several partners,
and took Percy in his turn. She was
gracious to him, but nothing more.
Percy asked leave to call next day.
She assented rather coldly.
LIS SloltI pa pstlCu SlCy iOI tiit GILL;
The first thing he did was to stammer
intolerably.
"Oh," said Julia, eff you have nothing
more to say than that, l have Where
is my bracelet?"
Its here said Percy, producing it
eagerly. julio srr,iioJl. -
"My necllacew
"IIere!"
"My charms?"
"Iere!"
"My specimens Of your spelling? Love
spells, eh?"
"Here-all here"
mo, they are not" said Julia, snatch
ing them, "they are here" And she
stuffed both her pockets with them.
"And the engaged ring" said Percy,
radiant now, and producing it, id
don't forget that"
Julia began to hesitate. eff 1 put that
on, it will be for life"
"Yes, it WILL" said Percy.
"Then give me a moment to think"
After due consideration she said what
she had made up her mind to say long
before.
"Pcrcy, you're a man of honor. I'll
be YOURS upon one solemn condition
that from this hour till death parts us,
you promise to give your faith where
you give your love-"
"I'll give my faith where L give my
love-" said Percy, solemnly.
Next month they were married, and
hs gave his confidence where he gave
his love, and he never had reason to re-
greet it.
"John Baker"
"Sir."
"You had better mind what you are
about, or you'll get fonder Of her than
of Walter himself"
"Never, Colonel, never! And so will
you"
Then, after moments reflection,
John Baker inquired how they were to
help it. "Look here, Colonel" said he,
"a mans q man, but wOman's a wo-
man. 1t isn't likely as Master Walter
will always be putting his hand round
your neck and kissing of you when
you're good, and pick a white hair off
your coat if he do but see one when