Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-11-07
CHAPTER XIX.
A WOMAN oUrw1Ts TWO MEN.

"Oh, Mary, what can | say! | was
simply mad-stung into fury by that
f0ul-mOuthed rutlian. Mary, | am deep
ly sorry, and thoroughly ashamed Of
my violence and my cruelty, and / i'm
plOre you to think of the very many
happy years we have spent together
without an angry WOrd-nOt that you
ever deserved one. Let us silence all
comments; return to me as the head of
my house and the heiresS of my fortune;
you Will bind Mr.. Hope to me still more
strongly; he shall be my partner, and he
will not be so selfish as to ruin your
future"
"Ay," said Hope, 'that's the specious
argument you tempted me with twelve
years ago. But she was a helpless child
then; she is woman now, and can de-
eide for herself AS for me, | will not
be your partner. | have a small royalty
on your coal, and that is enough for me;
but Grace shall do as she pleases. My
child, will you go to the brilliant future
that his wealth can secure you, or share
my modest independence, which will
need all my love to brighten it? Think
before you answer; your own future life
depends upon yourself"
With this he turned his back and
walked for some distance very Stoutly,
then leaned upon the palingS with his
back toward Grace; but even back can
speak, and the young lady looked at
him and her eyes filled; then she turned
them toward BARLEY, and those clear
eyes dried as if the fire in the heart had
scorched them.
in the first place, sir" said she, with
cold and cutting voice, very unusual
to her, "my name is not Mary, it is
Grace: and be assured of this, if there
was not another roof in all the world to
shelter me, if | was helpless, friendleSS,
and fatherleSS. | would die in the near
est ditch rather than set my foot in the
house from which | was thrust out with
shame and insult such as no lady ever
vet forgave. But, thank Heaven. / am
not at your mercy at all. He to whom
nature has drawn me all these years is
my father Oh, papa. come to me; is
it for you to stand aloOf? 1t is into your
hands, with all the trust and love you
have earned so well from your poor
Grace, | give my love, my veneration,
and my heart and soul forever" Then
she flung herself painting ON his bosom,
and he cried over her. The next mo-
ment he led her to the house. where he
made her promise to repoSe now after
this fresh trial; and. indeed, he would
have followed her. but BARLEY implored
him so piteouSly for the sake of old
times not to refuse him one word more,
that he relented SO far as to come out
20 him, though he felt it was a waste of
time.
He said. Mr.. BARLEY, it's no use;
nothing can undo this morning work;
our paths lie apart. From something
Walter Clifford let fall one day. | SuS-
pect he is the person you robbed. and
induced me to rob, of large fortune"
We'll, what is he to you? Have pity
upon me; be silent, and name your own
price"
"Wrong Walter Clifford with my ewes
open? He is the last man in the world
that | would wrong in money matters
/ have got a stern account against him
and | viii begin it by speaking the truth
and giving him back his own"
Here the interview was interrupted
bv an honest miner, one Jim Perkins
He came in hurriedly, and, like people
of that class, thrust everybody else's
business out of his way. You are
wanted at the mine, Mr.. Hope. The
snoring of the old works is giving way
and there's a deal of water collecting il
another part"
"TIl come at once" said Hope; 9Th,
mems lives must not be endangered
Have the cage ready" jim Walke'
away
Hope turned to BARLEY.
Pray understand. Mr.. BARLEY. tina
this is my last visit to your mine"
One moment. Hope" cried BARLEY
III despair I'VE have been friends S
long, surely you owe me something.
Il do"
Well, then, III make you rich for III
II YOU Will but let Mary return to m
and only just be silent; speak neithe
Tor lie nor against me; surely that
is your answer"