The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1890-02-01
I to me in an unknown hand. Tearing III
! oman 7 raad these words.

open I read these words:
DEAR Mr.. DUDLEY: After what has oc-
cured between my stepdaughter and your
self. you will scarcely be surprised tn at
should desire an interview with you. Will
YOU call upon me at II O'Clock? Believe me
sincerely yours, MARTHA HARGREAVE.
wrote, agreeing to call at IL o'clock
for the fateful me citing, telegraphed to
the bank that my absence that day was
unavo dable, and scarcely knew whether
/ stood on my heels or my head till l
found myself entering the door of 70. 80
Mrs. Hargreave only was in the room.
She received me with a solemnity of man
ner for which l was quite unprepared,
though, considering the numerous unex-
pected events that had occurred to me
lately I need not have been surprised
at anything
When We were both seated, MIR.
Dudley she began, you would, of course,
not expect to hear from me yesterday. |
passed the whole of the day in prayer
prayer for guidance, sir, and think my
petition has been heard
4 dead silence ensued, during which I
was intensely conscious that my heart
was beating twenty to the minute faster
than it ought to do. my countenance be-
traying sentiments which ii would be
better policy to hide; but l spoke no
word.
You have told my stepdaughter that
you love her said Mrs. Hargreaye pres
emily.
Now that she was coming to the point
| was ready enough with reply.
L love her dearly, passionately. But /
fear-in one hopelessly.
Why do you say 'hoi elessly?
Because l have not tn, wherewithal to
support wife.
Probably you have heard my husband
died a wealthy man."
Il have reason for supposing so, Ger
tainlv"
And, naturally, you expect Miss Har-
greaye to be an heiress?"
Pardon me, Mrs. Hargreave. | will be
perfectly frank with You. Hearing that
Mr.. Hargreave died rich, it would have
been but natural for me to expect he had
left his wealth to his only child But
it has come to my knowledge-no matter
how-that everything was left to You. If
l understand rightly, Miss Hargreeve
has not shilling; but that does not pre-
vent my loving her. As TO my own affairs,
| will tell You i'll as few words as possible
all about them
And did. When | had ended, she
said
Thank you. I will be equally candid
had heard something of this"
"Ah, from DE-. Gascoigne, then! He is
the only man to whom | have spoken of
myself since coming to the North"
And you showed great discretion and
considerable discernment of character,
Mir. Dudley, in making a friend of such a
man"
May ask how long You have yourself
been acquainted with Dr. Gascoigne?" in
CURED /, waiting with peculiar interest
for her reply.
II had slight attack of illness a
few days ago, and consulted him. In the
course of conversation | asked if he
knew you. tie said he did, and on my
making further inquiry be spoke of you
i'll such high terms Of commentator that
thai
She paused in evident embarrassment
1t became my duty. obviously. to assist
her. Almost beside myself with happi-
ness, | did SO thus:
In fact, having heard so much in my
favor, l need not regard rny case as alto
gether hopeless?"
Here / must remark that never once
while making her explanation did Mrs.
Hargreaye look at me She sat with her
eyes fixed on the carpet, her hands folded
together on her lap. Occasionally she
came to dead stop, and sometimes her
voice sank very low and trembled.