The Penn's Grove record., 1886-04-03
! I've a cure for your doubts handy, as il

From an inner vest pocket, cunning
Iy hidden behind folds of lining, he alb
stracted a greasy leather case, Unfold
ing this he displayed to Franks gaze a
sheaf of bank notes.
Examine them" he chuckled;
They're genuine, every one. They're
all hundreds, and I've more where
they came from. You mustn't always
judge by appearance, young man. Now
what is the price Murrell's creditors
expect to get for this millp For sale by
auction or private conteract, the ad-
Vertisement said:
1.-THE terms for the latter, exclusive
of everything, are 5000 guiueas, Mr..
Green"
The client reflected a moment.
"Say $4,000, aud I'll close.n
"Done," and the light of triumph
over aclever bargain shone upon Franks
countenance.
You'll have the contract note ready
this evening. I'll make the vendor
secure on my side.n
"There shall be no necessary delay,
Mr.. Green.
There's a mystery here" murmur-
ed Frank, IS he returned to his seat
from accompanying his visitor to the
door.
And then-such is the potency of
love-his thoughts went back to Carrie
Murrell, and the ordeal of renuncia-
ton or contumely and suffering with
which he was confronted.
"No, Frank; you may plead as you
please-lt is a sweet torture, she whis-
pered aside-but 1 will not consent
that for my sake you should sacrifice
your prospects and incur your fathers
resentment. He is hard man, but
doubtless he is right, after all, accord
ing to his lights,'' and Carrie Murrell
shivered a little as she glanced round
mechanically at the whitened fields,
and then turned as if to Te-enter the
mill precincts alone, and thus end what
to both lovers had proved a very hara5-
sing discussion.
But Frank Archer barred her path.
81 will not give you up at any ones
behestl" he cried, hoarsely; land as
for poverty Carrie. why, we will meet
it together and be better man and wo-
manfor the conflict"
Cdlll1 OlO gill BCttlu Allh w VIC
end of his impassioned outburst, and
then
sit is impossible" she said; ''as 1
see my duty, it is impossible, And
there is my father also; | have him
to care for. He has but me, and, now
that he will soon be homeless"-Carrle's
words were interrupted by a short,
sharp sob-"T cannot forsake him."
There was a rustling among the dry
leaves at the adjacent corner. Clearly
the lovers were not alone beneath these
winter heavens. Their colloquy might
have already been overheard. The NAL
den flushed scarlet at the thought, and
with a few hasty syllables of more con-
ventional farewell she disappeared
down the mill lane. Depressed, at odds
both with himself and fate, feeling the
very peace of snow-clad nature an IN
suit in his present mood of stormy dis
content, the young lawyer strobe OFF in
the contrary direction.
"Andaew Mur-ahem John Green-
playing the e~avesdropperl L am dis
gusted with you," soliloquized the new
proprietor of Raybeck Mill, whimsical.
iy addressing the wavering reflection
of his own personality which confront
ed him on the sluggish current Of
the mill-stream. "And yet" he added
oracularly, ''they mayD't be sorry either
by-and-by, if they ever come to guess.
A noble pair they seem. They deserve
better fortune. For once-aheml John
Green-you will change your plans. |
opine."
And when Frank wa fairly out of
sight he too retraced his steps-slowly,
like one in deep thought-to the village
scattered on the heights above.
The negotiations for the definite
transfer of the mill property had been
suspended until the return OF the senior
solicitor, and meanwhile the guest OF
the Royal George furnished a topic for
many conjectures and much perplexed
remark to the bucolic mind. His ad-
vent from nobody knew where, his real
position, his plans, were all unsolved
enigma3.
BY the middle of the following week
the Christmas week-Mr. Archer the
| elder had returned, and Frank lost no
time in introducing to his presence the
protege who had 50 Unexpectedly deyel-
oped into the client.
ssMr, Green-my father" he said.
The twomen bowed and shook hands.
"Mr. Archer, I'd like to have a word
with you alone, if this young gentle
man win pardon my %rudeness," said
the soi-disdnt John Green.
Marveling not a little, Frank with
drew.
The strangers opening question was
at least an equal surprise to Franks
parent.
your son is engaged to Miss Muir
rell; and it is said that you object to the
match. Is this true?"
The elderly lawyers face grew slow
ly purple, half with confusion, half
with rage.
81 cannot see, Mr.. Green; that my
family affairs" he began.
"Concern me. That's as the event
may determine" the other answered,
with a Earring blitheness. 81 believe
I've stated facts, and the ground of
your objection is the recent failure OF
| Miss Murrell's father, and the girls
consequent poverty. Now, Mr.. Archer,
I've a story to tell, and I1l be brief
about it, as you lawyers like. Five-and-
! bMtllJ NGdlo hSO lANO0 CIV -
Raybeck Mill-with my father and my
brother. That brother stole from me
my sweetheart, and l hated HIM as
perhaps only brother can hate brother.
/ went abroad, grew rich, came home
to England, saw the mill advertised for
sale, owing to my brothers. bankruptcy
came here intending to buy 1t, turn
Thomas out and live there myself
was still scheming revenge. On my
way here 1 was saved by your son from
a terrible danger. l find he loves
aheml-my niece; l like your son, and
his Carrie. On the day they marry L
ana prepared to settle upon the bride
the whole of this property, andto make
her my heiress also. l have no other
ties. 1 am an eccentric old fellow, but
l can prove every statement 1 make.
And on these conditions, Mr.. Archer,
| hope you'll waive your objections to
what, even to my old eyes, is so clearly
-