Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-08-22

Will d IuSu 10 tel nef master so. She
uttered a cry Of joy at sight of him. and
came at hlm painting and full of love!
Leonard, dear Leonard. pray Go not in
sist on my marrying that young man.
Now it comes to the time, my heart
fails me-"
Never mind your heart; think of
your interest" sad Monckton.
why, he is no such great catch, / am
sure"
L tell you he is, more than ever; l
have just discovered another 10000 ne
is heir to, and not got to wait for that
, any longer than choose"
Lucy stamped her foot. Il don't care
for his money. Til he came with his
| money you loved me-"
Il love you as much as ever" said
Monckton. coldly.
! Lucy began to sob. NO, you don't,
or you wouldn't give me up to that
young fool"
! The villain made cynical reply. that
not every Newgate thief could have
matched. you fool" said he, cant
YOU marry him. and go on loving met
you won't be the first. 1t is done every
day, to the satisfaction of all parties.h
AND TO THEIR UNUTTERABLE
| SHAME" said a clear, stern voice at
IL
rapidly in, had heard but little, but
heard enough; and there he stood, grim
and pale, a boy no longer. These two
| skunks had made man of him in one
moment. They recoiled in dismay, and
the woman hid her face.
He turned upon the man first, you
may be sure. $50 you have palmed this
lady off on me as your sister, and trap
ped me, and would have destroyed me-"
But if | was fool enough to leave my
father. l am not fool enough to present
to the world your CASTOR mistress as
my wife. Here, Miss Lucy Monckton
or whatever your name may be-here
is the marriage license. Take that and
my contempt, and do what you like with
them"
With these words he dashed into
Bartley's private room, and there broke
down. 1t was bitter cup, the first in
his young life.
The baf1ed schemers drank worm
wood too; but they bore it differently.
The woman cried, and took her punish
ment meekly; the man ragged and threat
ened vengeance.
NO, no." said Lucy; cit serves us
right. l wish had never seen the fell
low; then you would have kept your
word, and married me-"
:" | will marry you now, if you can
obey me-"
"Obey you, Leonard? You have been
my ruin; but only marry me, and will
be your slave in everything,-yourw will
ing, devoted, happy slave"
That is a bargain" said Monckton,
coldly. I'll be even with him; l will
marry you in his name and his place."
why in his name?" said she. "Well,
never mind the name, so that it is the
right man-and that is you"
Then Monckton's fertile brain, teem-
ing with villainies, fell to Matching a
new plot more felonious than the last.
He would rob the safe, and get Clifford
convicted for the theft; convicted as
Bolton, Clifford would never tell his real
fords' house with a certificate of his
death and certificate of his marriage,
both obtained by substitution, and so
collar his share of the 100000, and off
with the real husband to fresh pastures.
MOnckton reflected moment. "What
is the first thing? Let me see. Humph!
1 think the first thing is to getmarried."
YES" said Lucy, that is the first
thing, and the most understandable"
And she went dancing off with him as
gay as lark, and leaning ON him at an
angle of forty-five; whilst he went erect
Walter Clifford came out in time to
see them pass the great window. He
watched them down the street, and
cursed them-nOt loud but deep.
incoming, as usual" said a hostile
voice behind him. He turned round land
there was Mr.. BARLEY seated at his own
table. Young Clifford walked smartly
to the other side of the table, determin-
ed this should be his last day in that
shop;
cavalierly.
About one in fve," said BARLEY, in
speeding them.
"ThereaboutS," was the reply.
"YOu can't have pressed them much"
We'll, l am not good at dunning."
What are you good at?"
Should be puzzled to say"
"You are not fit for trade
THAT is the highest compliment was
ever paid me-"
"Oh, you are impertinent as well as
incompetent, are you? Then take a
weeks warning, Mr.. Bolton"
Five minutes would suit me better,
Mr.. Barley"
ooh! indeedl Say one hour"
All right, sir; just time for city
clerks luncheon glass Of bitter, sand
chat with the bar-maid."
Mr.. Walter Clifford was gentleman,
but we must do him the justice to say
that in this interview with his employer
be was very lmpertinent one, not only
in words, but in the delivery thereof.
BARLEY. however, thought this imper-
thence was put on, and that he had
grave reasons for being in hurry. He
took down the numbers of the notes
Clifford had given him, and looked very
grave and suspicious all the time.
Then he locked up the notes in the
safe, and just then Hope opened the
door of the little office and looked in.
"At last" said BARLEY.
"Well, sir" said Hope, 81 have only
been half an hour, and / have changed
my clothes and stood witness to mar
rage. She begged me so hard; was at
the door. Such beautiful girl! l could
not take my eyes off here
"The child?" said BARLEY, with nat
ural impotence.
II have hidden her in the yard"
Bring her this moment, while the
clerks are out"
Hope hurried out, and soon returned
with his child, wrapped up in nice
warm shawl he had bought her with
Bartley's money.
BARLEY took the child from him Jock
ed at her face, and said, Little darling,
/ shall love her as my own;" then he
begged Hope to sit down in the lobby
till he should call him and introduce
him to his clerks. Zone of them is a
thief, I'm afraid"
He took the child inside, and gave her
to his confederate, the nurse.
'Dear me-" thought Hope, "only two
clerks, and one of them dishonest. l
&c MT how