The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-03-28

where Ralph was living. she babe me
tremble and read the first chapter of the
book of the Prophet Joel. applying verses
four to twelve to my own case. especially
the last clause. which on investigation
proved to be prophecy that joy should
wither away from the sons of men.
laughed again but confess that was
disquieted What consequences? Twas
soon to discover that the woman used no
idle threat though believe that she did
not herself know anything of the abomi
nable plot which Mathew was continuing
for our destruction
This. say. was just before Christmas
We passed the season of festivity in com
fort. thanks to gift from Mr. Carnaby
of noble sirloin and some bottles of good
wine for my father: but on Twelfth
Night my grandmother who had become
very feeble of late, suddenly showed signs
of impending change This was truly
dreadful thing for us. not only for the
loss of a good and affectionate parent
which those who have faith ought not to
lament. but because at her death we
should lose even the small income which
we had. and there would be nothing but
the house 1t was with despairing looks
that my mother and | sat by her bedside
all that night In the morning she died
having been speechless for some hours:
but. as happens often with the dying. she
rallied just before the end, and recovered
for a moment the power of speech
Child" she whispered to me with her
last breath. thou hast been good child
The Lord will reward thee Be of good
hope. and never doubt that the boy will
return to be thy protector and thy
guide
After her funeral asked my mother if
she had any money at all She told me
that on leaving London some of their old
friends made up between them purse of
a hundred guineas in memory of old
times. but after payment of their small
debts and the cost of the journey from
London. she had the sum of fifty five
guineas put by for unforeseen wants
that we must live on this money as long
as it lasted after which she supposed we
must starve
Fifty FIVE guineas Why it would last
us year and quarter at least with pru
dence Fifty five guineas It was
little fortune to us 1t would keep us
until got letter from Ralph. Where
upon ! told my mother to be of good
cheer and to wait patiently and hope for
the best. She sighed. being never
woman of sanguine disposition, and ignor-
ant of those secret springs of happiness
of present poverty.
And now you shall hear a plot of dia
bolical wickedness, which for the time
was successful We all know that for
season sinners are sometimes permitted
to compass their own designs. but for
their sur,r undOing in the end
Two days after the burial of the dame,
at time when we might be supposed to
be overwhelmed by the calamity of being
left destitute. Mathew came to the cot
tage He looked i'll at ease. and his eyes
met mine shiftily, but he spoke out with
holiness. while he produced leather
pocket book and turned over certain papers.
within it,
81 have come, madam" he said address
ing my mother. but looking at me. ''to
inform you or your husband-it matters
not which-that | can no longer wait for
the interest on the principal of my money,
and thSt you must be prepared to pay. or
take the consequences.
What interest? What money!" asked
my mother
why" he affected great surprise. lis
it possible that you are going to deny the
debt?"
What means the man?' my mother
said impatiently
May said Mathew. smiling but look
ing like hangdog william the while,
this passes patience mean, madam,
my loan to your husband
"What loan?" she repeated; land
when?"
why" said Mathew. IF you pretend
not to know. am not obliged to tell you;
but since. Well. will tell you:
mean this. madam; the sum of two hun
dred pounds advanced by me to your hus-
band. for which. and in security, he
hath assigned me a mortgage on this
house
My mother was quite wise enough to-
know what was meant by a mortgage She
asked. but with pale face. where was his
mortgage.
Mathew unrolled paper and laid it on
the table My mother read it through
hurriedly Then she sank back in her
chair and covered her face with her hands,
saying:
1T is true. my child Here is thy ia
theirs signature. This is the last blow"