Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-09-12
LOVE Or MONEY;
A PERILOUS SECRET.
BY CHARLES READE,
Author Of "Put Yourself In His Place.
etc., ETC., etc.

parlor, saying there is somebody there;
but no one knows. This, however,
though hardly unexpected, set Mary's
heart beating, and when the parlor door
was opened, Miss Easton stepped back,
and Mary was alone with Walter Cliff
ford.
Then might those who oppose an hon
est and tender affection have learned a
lesson. 1t was no longer affection only.
1t was passion. Walter was pale, agi-
tated, eager; he kissed her hands i'm
petuOuSly, and drew her to his bosom.
She sobbed there; he poured inarticu-
late words over her, and still held her,
painting, to his beating heart. Even
when the first gush of love subsidized a
little he could not be so reasonable as
he used to be. He was wild against his
own father, hers, and every obstacle,
and implOred her to marry him at once
by special license, and leave the old peo-
pie to unite the knot if they could.
Then Mary was astonished and hurt.
"A clandestine marriage, Mr.. Clifford"
said she. Il thought you had more re-
spect for me than to mention such a
thing"
Then he had to beg her pardon, and
say the separation had driven linn mad.
Then she forgave him.
Then he took advantage of her Glenn
ency, and proceeded calmly to show her
that 1T was their only chance.
Then Mary forgot how severely she
had checked him, and merely said that
was the last thing she would consent to,
and bound him on his honor never to
mention to Julia Clifford that he had
proposed such a thing. Walter promised
that readily enough, but stuck to his
point; and as Mary's pride was wound
ed, and she was girl of great spirit
though love-Sick, she frOze to him, and
soon after said she was very sorry, but
she must not stay too long, or papa
would be angry. She then begged him
not to come out of the parlor, or the
servant would see him.
"That is trife," said Walter. 81 am
going to obey in greater things than
that. Ali Mary, Mary, you don't love
me as / love YOU"
NO, Walter" said Mary, II do not
love you as you love me, for [ respect
you" Then her lip trembIed, and her
eyes filed with tears.
Walter fell on his knees, anu Klsseu
her skirt several times; then ended with
her hand. "Oh, don't harbOr such a
thought as that" said he.
She sObbed, but made no reply.
They parted good friends, butchilled.
That made them both unhappy to
think Of
It was only two. or at the most three,
days after this that, as Mary was walk
ing in the garden, nOsegay fell at her
feet. She picked it up, and Immediate
ly found a note half secreted in it. The
next moment it was entirely secreted
in her bosom. She Sauntered indoors,
and Scudded upstairs to her room to
read it.
The writer told her in few agitated
words that their fathers had met, and
qe must speak to her directly. Would
she meet him for a moment at the gar
den gate at nine o'clock that evening.
NO, no, mol" cried Mary, as if he was
there. She was frightened. Suppose
they should be caught The shame
the disgrace. But oh, the temptationl
Well, then, how wrong of him to tempt
her! She must not go. There was no
time to write and refuse; but she must
not go. She would not go. And in this
resolution she persisted. Nine o'clock
struck, and she never moved. Then she
began to picture Walters face of disap-
pointment and his unhappiness. At
ten minutes past nine she tied hand
kerchief round her head and went.
There he was at the gate, pale and
agitated. He did not give her time to
scold him.
"Pray forgive me-" he said; "but
saw no other way. 1t is all over, Mary,
unless you love me as love you"
Don't begin by doubling me-" she
said. Tell me, dear"
at is soon told. Our fathers have
met at that wretched pit, and the fore
man has told me what passed between
ing for coal was not huSbandry, and it
was very unfair to do it, and to smoke
him out of house and home. (Unfortu-
nately the wind was west, and blew the
smoke of the steam-engine over his
lawn.) Your father said he took the
farm under that express stipulation.
Colonel Clifford said, No; the condition
was struggled in Then smuggle it
out, said Mr.. BARLEY"
"Oh!"
IF it had only ended there, Mary.
But they were both in passion, and
must empty their hearts. Colonel Cliff
ford said he had every respect for you,
but had other views for his son. Mr..
BARLEY said he was thankful to hear it,
for he looked higher for his daughter.
Higher in trade, | SUPPOSE said my
father; the Lord Mayors nephew
We'll, said Mr.. BARLEY, L would rather
marry her to money than to mortgages.
And the end of it was they parted enc
mics for life"
No, no; not for ifei"
For life, Mary. 1t is an old grudge
revived. Indeed, the first quarrel was
only skinned over. Don't deceive your
self. We have nothing to do but dis
obey them or part"
And you can say that, Walter? Oh,
have little patiencel"
$50 I would" said Walter, eff there
was any he oe. But there isnone. There
is nothing wait for but the death of
our parents, and by that time shall be
an elderly man, and you will have lost
your bloom and wasted your youth-for
what? No; feel sometimes this will
drive me mad, or make me villain. [
am beginning to hate my own father,
and everybody else that thwartS my
love. How can they earn my hate more
surely? No, Mary; see the future as
plainly as | see your dear face, so pale
and shocked. ] can't help it. If you
will marry me, and so make sure. Twill
keep it secret as long asyou like; shall
have got you, whatever they may say or
do; but if you won't, III leave the coun-
try at once, and get peace If can't get
love-"
leave the country" said Mary, faint
ly. what good would that do?"
"I don't know. Perhaps bring my
father to his senses for one thing; and
who knows?-perhaps you will listen
to reason when you see can't wait for
the consent of two egotists-for that is
what they both are-that have no real
love or pity for you or me-"
"Ah," said Mary, with deep sigh, Il
see even men have their faults. and /
admired them so. They are impatient,
selfish"