Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1888-01-26


her husband cut it short.
$50 you were-pretty little thing as
ever / saw. A ladylike, graceful little
girl, with eyes beautiful enough to ex-
cuse the boy for admirlng her."
THE boy. You seem to have forgot
ten your son is twenty three-old enough
to fall in love with and marry even a
poor, unknown girl you were quite quix-
otto enough to invite to your table"
Twenty -three2 So he is. And if he
wants to marry beggar, and she is a
good girl notl"
A little gasp of horror and dismay
was the only answer of which Mrs. May
berry was capable.
* y
"Granopa!"
Winn;e's voice was so low that Mr..
Wilmington only just heard it, and when
he looked up he saw the girls crimson
cheeks and her lovely dropping face.
Eyes, Winnie. You want to tell me
something's"
She went up behind him and leaned
her hot cheek caressingly against his, her
sweet, low voice whispering her answer:
"Grandpa, l want to tell you some
thing. I-Mr. May-we-Ernest has
asked-he wants me to-oh, grandpa,
can't you tell what it is2"
He felt her cheek grow hotter against
his.
He reached up his hand and caressed
the other one.
"Yes, I can tell, dear. Ernest has
shown his uncommon good sense by
wanting you for his wife. So this is
what come of that dinner, eh, Winnieq'
''And may | tell him you are willing,
perfectly willing, grandpa2 Because I
do love him. YOU know"
| ''And you're sure it isn't his money you
are after, eh2"
She did not take umbrage at the sharp
question.
''I am at least sure it is not my money
he is after, grandpa" she returned,
laughing and patting his cheek.
''Yes, you are at least sure of that &;
there, I hear the young man coming
himself. Shall l go, Winnie9"
It was the 'young man himself. !"
Ernest Mayberry, with shadow of deep
trouble and distress on his face as he
came straight up to Winnie and took
her hand, then turned to the old gentle
! man.
"Until an hour ago / thought this
would be the proudest, happiest hour Of
my life, sir, for I should have asked you
to give me Winnie for my wife. Instead,
must be content to tell you how dearly
love her, and how patiently and hard
will work for her to give her the home
which she deserves-because, Mr.. Will
mington, this morning the house of May
berry & Thurston failed and both families
are beggars."
His handsome face was pale, but his
eyes were bright with a determination
and braveness nothing could daunt.
Winnie smiled back upon him, her
own cheeks paling.
'sNever mind, Ernest, on my account.
can wait, too"
Old Mr.. Wilmington's eyes were al
most shut behind the heavy, frowning
foreheard, and quizzical look was on
! his shrewd old face as he listened.
''Gone up, eh2 Well, that's too bad.
You stay here and tell Winnie I am Just
as willing she shall be your wife when
you want her, as if nothing had hap
pened, because believe you can earn
bread and butter for both of you, and my
Winnie is contented little girl. Tll
hobble up to the Office and see your fa-
ther; he and we're boys together; a
word of sympathy won't come amiss from
me-"
And off he strobe, leaving the lovers
alone, getting over the distance in re-
markable time, and presenting his
wrinkled, weather. beaten old face in
Mayberry & Thurston's private office,
where Mr.. Mayberry sat alone, with rigid
face and keen, troubled eyes that never
theless lighted at the sight of his old
friend.
s'I'm glad to see you, Wilmington.
( Sit down The sight of a man who has
not come to reproach me is comfort -
But Mr.. Wilmington did not sit down.
! He crossed the room to the table at
which Mr.. Mayberry sat among hope
less array Of papers.
There is no use wasting words, MAY
4 berry, at a time like this. Did you
+ know your son has asked my Winnie to
marry hima'
/ Mr.. Mayberry's face lighted second,
/ then the gloom returned
IF my son had fortune at his com
mand, az I thought he had yesterday at
this time, would say, God speed YOU
I in your wooing Of Winnie Wilmington.
As it isfor the girls sake, / disprove. =
$50 you haven't a dollar over and
above, eh, Mayberryg"
4 ''There will be nothing-less than
nothing. | don't know that really care
so much for myself, but Ernest is a
terrible thing to happen to him at the
very beginning Of his career.'
Mr.. Wilmington smiled gleefully.
"Good. Neither do / care for myself,
but for Winnie, my little Winnie. tell
you what, Mayberry perhaps you will
wonder il Tam crazy, but I'll agree to
settle a quarter of million on Winnie
the day she marries your boy. And I'll
lend you as much more if it'll be any
use, and I'LL start the boy for himself, if
you say SO. Eh"
I Mr.. Mayberry looked at him in speech
less bcwilderment.
Wilmington went on:
~ made fortune out In India. and