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

upon tile wings of love, and Grace,
whose elastic nature had revived, saw
him coming, and came out to meet him.
Hope scolded her gently; why had she
got off the sofa when repOse was so
necessary for her?
you are mistaken, dear father" said
she. IL am wonderfully strong and
healthy; never tainted away in my
life, and my mind will not let me rest
at present. have been longing so for
my father"
aAh, precious word!" murmured
Hope. "Keep saying that word to me,
for itp
"Dear; father, we will make up for all
those years. Oh, papa, let us not part
again, never, never, not even for day."
"My child, we never will. What am
I saying? l shall have to give you back
to one who has stronger claim than I
to your husband"
my husbandy" said Mary, turning
pale.
"Yes," said Hope; "for you know you
have husband. Oh, L heard a few
words there before / interfered; but ii
is not to me you'll say Il don't kno,o.'
That was good enough for BARLEY and
a lot of strangers. Come, Grace, dear,
take my arm; have no concealments
from me. Trust to a fathers infinite
love, even if you have been imprudent
or betrayed; but that's a thing shall
never believe except from your lips.
Take turn with me, my child, since
you cannot lie down and rest; a little
air, and gentle movement on your faith
er's arm, and close TO your fathers
heart, will be the next best thing for
YOU" Then they walked to and fro like
lovers.
"Why, Grace, my child" said he, "of
course understand it all. No doubt
you promised to keep your marriage Sc
cret, or had some powerful reason for
deed, why should you reveal such Sc
But you will tell the truth to me, your
father and your best friend; you will
tell me you are wife,"
Father" said Mary, trembling, and
her eyes rOved as if she was looking out
for the means Of flight.
Hope saw this look, and it made him
sick at heart, for he had lived too long,
and observed too keenly, not to know
that innocence and purity are dangers,
and are more often protected by the
safeguards Of society than by them
selves.
"Oh, my child" said he, anything is
better than this suspense; why do you
not answer me? Why do you torture
me? Are you Walter Clifford's wife?"
Mary began to pant and sob: "Oh,
papa. have patience with me. You do
not know the danger. Wait till he
comes back. | dare not; ] cannot"
Then, by Heaven. he shall"
He dropped her arm, and his c0unte-
nance became. terrible. She chung to
him directly.
NO, no; wait till l have seen him.
He will be back this very evening. Do
not Judge hastily; and oh, papa, as you
love your child, do not act rashly."
81 shall act firmly" was Hopes firm
reply. you have come from sham
father to real one, and you will be
protected as well as loved. This lover
has forbidden you to cOnfide in your
father (he did not know that was your
father, but that makes no difference);
it looks very ugly, and if he has wrong
ed you he shall do you justice, or l will
have his life"
"Oh, papa" screamed Mary, "his life?
Why, mine is bound up with it,"
81 fear So" said Hope. But what's
our life to us without our honor, espe-
cially to a woman? He is the true Cain
that destroys pure virgin"
Then he put both his hands on her
shoulder, and said, Look at me, Grace"
She looked at him full with eyes as
brave as lions and as gentle as ga
zelle's.
In moment his senses enlightened
him beyond the power of circumstances
to deceive. "It's a lie," said he; "men
ORC al xro1yc lyi,,,r anI M OF ,,oac do
ceiving; there is no blush of shame up
on these cheeks, no sin nor frailty in
these pure eyes. You are his wife,"
81 am" cried Grace, unable to resist
any longer.
"Thank God!" cried Hope, and father
and daughter were locked that moment
in tender embrace.
Eyes, papa, you shall know all, and
then shall have to fall on my knees
and ask you not to punish one love
fora fault committed years ago. You
will have pity on us both. Walter and
/ were married at the altar, and / am
his wife in the eyes of Heaven. But,
oh, papa, fear l am not his lawful
wife"
Not his lawful wife, child! Why,
what nOnsensew
81 would to Heaven it was; but this
morning / learned for the first time
that he had been married before. Oh,
it was years ago; but she is alive"
Impossible! He could not be so
base"
Papa" said Mary, very gravely, Il
have seen the certificate"
"The certificate!" said Hope, in dis
may. "What certificatei"
"Of the Registry Office. 1t was shown
me by gentleman she sent expressly
to warn me; she had no idea that Wal
ter and l were married, but she had
heard somehow of our courtship. try
to thank her, and tried, and always
will, to save him from prison and his
family from disgrace"
"And sacrifice yourself?" cried Hope,
in agony.
Il love him." said Mary, "and you
must spare him."
Il will have Justice for my child"
Grace was in such terror lest her faith
er should punish Walter that she beg
ged him to consider whether in sacri-
iicing herself she really had not been
unintentionally wise. What could she
gain 10y publishing that she had married
another woman's husband? 81 have lost
my husband" said she, 'but / have
found my father. Oh, take me away
and let me rest my broken heart upon
yours far from all who knowme. Every