The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1886-03-19

By the new arrangement IL has doubled.
You can pay this bill and retain the
same amount
IL camp How nice! thought / would
have to 90 out as nurse-maid or
something. Mr.. Barker, when is your
client coming who owns the housep |
feel as if l were an intruder, somehow"
you are not. The favor is to HIM. l
have his word for it,
She still fingered. "Alr. Barker, you
have been so Kind and good. l wish l
could do something for you. If l can
ever will you let mep"
,'"Yes, Miss Ford"
Ellie left the office with queer, dis
satisfied feeling ut her heart. Down the
browsing street, filled with lazy shad-
ows, she strolled. As she turned a cor
ner she collided with rakish-looking
youth. He recovered himself with, an
apology. There was such frank look
in his bright, blue eyes that Ellie took
to him at once. He accompanied her
as far as the gate, opened it, and, with
bow, turned toward the open plaza.
"What very, Cery nice, accommodate
ing boy" was Eflie's mental comment.
She met the every nice boy" frequent
ly after this. He was Is and quite idle.
He obtained conventional introduce
tion-Bert Gwynne was his name-and
he constituted himself Eflie's veritable
double. On the street, at church, Mr..
Bert Gwynne was always present, and
he assumed the attitude with such an
of-course-it-is-agreeable-to-you air that
Ellie became incensed and determined
l.. xNf hon. Nt,,1
One day he commenced to poke fun
at "Old Gabe Barker" Then the dy-
Mantle exploded.
Hes not DID," she flashed.
Forty if he's an hour" insisted the
provoking.
81 say he's not," declared the frank
little lady. anyhow, he's lot pre-
Stunning boy; great acrimony in the
last words.
HELL make you marry him after
while; now you see. He bought up
every one of those notes." cried the
badly conducted.
"What notesp Tell meP' Ellie was
aflame.
'Your fathers. Who do you suppose
paid the debts? Why, Gabe Barker out
IL
his, continued he.
You are wicked person, and don't
believe one word you say" burst out
Eflie.
1T isn't such mighty thing after all.
I'd do ever so much more, Ellie, if you'd
let me. But you called me presuming,
and it made me angry"
$50 you are. hate you, and I'm
going this minute to Mr.. Barker" She
flung on her hat.
81 wouldn't. Let it alone. He's
well able to do it if he wishes" Bert
thought he had never seen Efiie so de-
sirable, as with that angry pout and the
infinite air of scorn with which she re-
garded him.
"AIr. Barker is it so? Tell me. 1
will know!''; with tear-flushed face she
raided in on him. "They say that papa
died-insolvent, and-you bought up
his no-otes, and tell mer' she implored
impassionately.
'Ellie, don't! you will be i'll, Who
told you such cruel things?" He shut
fled his papers in agitation.
Bert Gwynne; he says it is the talk
Of the place, and
Heavens! What had she almost said:
He'll make you marry him after Il
while. he marry her! such an insig-
niiicant nobody
'Eilie, listen; ! am not going to deny
what have done"
Then you lid! ohr' She went down
by the stiff old clients chair in heap
and hid her face in her hands.
"Child, what could do? The credi-
tors threatened. There was nothing to
pay them, and you looked so little and
helpless. Besides, it is only discharging
an old obligation. Your father was
very kind to me when l was poor lad.
Ellie, don't be angry"
Sob, sob from the rounds of the chair.
sis the house yours, too?"
''By heavens, Eilie, if you ask me any
thing more I'll deny ece'yhing," desper
ately.
as it, say?" tempestuously.
yes"
Gabriel Barker was as abashed as if
he had been confronted with selling il
legal whisky.
do you hold those notcs?"
"Confound that meddlesome Gwynne
boy. I'll thrash him tomorrow if live
Yes, Eflie. but they are yours. / have
left them to you in my will. Here they
are. +" laying bundle in her lap.
"Take them away. | will not have
them" she said, excitedly. Unless
Mr.. Barker-you tell me how-I-can-
pay-you."
will you, if 1 tell you, Eflic9"
He opened his arms and she crept
close to his heart, whispering:
"Yes, Gabriel"