Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-09-05

III QlgQ SOL Us.
In the hall Walter found a short note
from Mary BARLEY.
DEAR, DEAR WALTER,-I write with a
bleeding heart TO tell you that papa has only
just discovered our attachment, and am
grieved to say he disapprOveS OF 1t, and has
forbidden me to encourage your love, that
Is dearer to me than all the world. 1t is
very hard. 1t seems so cruel. But l must
obey. Do not make obedience too difficult,
dear Walter. And pray, pray do not be as
unhappy as am. He says he has reasons,
but he has not told me what they are, ex-
cept that your father has other views for
you; but indeed, with both parents against
us what can we do? Forgive me the pain
this will give you. Ask yourself whether it
gives me any less. You were all the world
to me. Now everything is dull and distaste-
full. What change in one little day! We
are very unfortunate. But it cannot be for
ever. And if you will be constant to me,
you know / shall to you. could not change.
All, Walter, l little thought when | said /
would tempOriZe, how soon l should be call
ed on to do it. can't write any more for
crying. l do nothing but cry ever since
papa was so cruel: but must obey.
''YOur loving, sorrowful
This letter was chilling blow to poor
Walter. He took it into his own room
and read it again and again. It brought
the tears into his own eyes, and dis
couraged him deeply for time. But, of
course, he was not so disposed to sue
cumb to authority as the weaker vessel
was. He wrote back:
My OWN LovE,-DOn't grieve for me. I
don't care for anything so long as you love
father, am gOing. to marry Julia to Percy
FitZroy, and so end my governors nonsense.
As for your father L do not despair of soft
ening him. It is only check; 1t is not a
lafn 10 RIB W n
true to each other. God bless you, dearest.
Ibid not think you loved me so much. Your
letter gives me comfort forever, and only
disappointments for time. Don't fret,
sweet love. 1t will all be right in the end.
Your grateful hopeful love !,W I'll d death,
Mary opened this letter with beat
ing heart She read it with tears and
smiles and utter amaZement. She knew
so little about the male character that
this way of receiving Touchdown
blow aStOniShed and charmed her. She
thought to herself, no wonder women
looked up to men. They ,UiU have their
own way; they resist, of course. How
sensible; we give in, right or wrong.
What comfort / have got man to
back me, and not poor sorrowing,
despairing, obeying thing like myself
So she was comfOrted for the minute,
and settled in her own mind that she
would be good and obedient, and Wal
ter should do all the fighting. But let
tiers soon cease to satisfy the yearning
hearts of lovers unnaturally separated.
Walter and Mary lived SO near each
other, yet now they never met. BARLEY
took care of that. He told Mary she
must not walk out without maid or
ride without a servant; and he gave
them both special oders. He even
obliged her with his own company,
though that rather bored him.
Under this severe restraint Mary's
health and spirits suffered, and she lost
some of her beautiful color.
Walters spirits were kept up only by
anger. Julia Clifford saw he was in
trouble, and asked him what was the
matter.
"Oh, nothing that would interest
you" said he, rather sullenly.
Excuse me-" said she. Il am always
interested in the troubles of my friends,
and you have been a good friend to me-"
at is very good of you to think So.
Well, them, yes, | am unhappy. | am
crossed in love-"
as it that fair girl you introduced me
to when out riding?"
Eyes"
"She is lovely"
"Miss Clifford, she is an angel"
"Hal hal We are all angels till we
are found out. Who is the man?"
what mani"
"That she prefers to my good Walter.
She deserves good whipping, your
angel"
but she prefers no man to your good
Walter, though / am not worthy to tie
l, oh Cd tn
other"
swell, you needn't fly out at me. /
am your friend, as you will see. Make
me your cOnfidante. Explain, please.
How can you be crOSsedm lOveif there's
no other mani"
Its her father. He has discovered
our love, and forbidS her to speak to
me-"
"Her fatherl" said Julia, contemptu-
ously. rs that all? That for her faith
er! You shall have her in spite of fifty
fathers. If it had been lover, now"
Il should have talked to him, not to
you" said Walter, with his eyes flash
ing.
BE quiet, Walter; as it is nota lover,
nor even a mother, you shall have the
girl; and very sweet girl she is. VIII
you accept me for your ally? Women
are wiser than men in these things, and
understand one another"
ooh, Miss Clifford" said Walter, "this
is good of you! OF course it will be a
sympathy and assistance"
well. them" said Julia, begin by
telling me-have you spoken to her
father?"
NO"
"Then that is the very first thing to
be done. Come, order our horses We
will ride over directly. l will call on
Mss BARLEY, and you on Mister. Now
mind, you must ignore all that has pass
ed, and just ask permission to court his
daughter. Whilst you are closeted with
him, the young lady and l will learn
each others mind with celebrity you
poor slow things have no idea Of"
Il see one thing" said Walter, that
/ am child in such matters compared
with you. What decisionl what promp-
titude!"
Then initiate it, young man. Order
the horses directly" and she stamped
her foot impatiertlr".
Walter turned to the stables without
another word, and Julia flew upstairs
to put on her riding-habit.
BARLEY was in his study with map
of the farm before him, and two re-
spectacle but rather rough men in close
conference over it. These were practical
men from the county of Durham, whom
he had ferreted out by means of an
agent, men who knew a great deal about
coal. They had already surveyed the
farm, and confirmed Hopes opinion
that coal lay below the surface of GER
tain barren fields. and the question now
was as to the exact spot where 1t would
be advisable to sink the first shaft.
BARLEY was heart and soul in this,
and elevated by love of gain far above