Dodge City times., 1890-10-10
to mo In IN uaknova hand. II

TO mD t0 10 00Ru0WA 0M0Os AVDB40A -
epen I read these words: z.sod
Cured between my stepoeugheef and your:
SELF. you win scarcely bs surprised that
should desiie an interview With you. VIII
you call upon mo at II o'cloek3 Believe me
sincerely yours. 1ARrAA aAHGHG4tE
wrote, agreeing to call at II o'clock
the bank that my absebce that day was
unavo dable, and scarcely knew whether
I stood on my heels or my head till
found myself entering the door OF No. 29.
Mrs Hargreave only was In the room.
She received me with a solemnity OF man.
ner for which I was quite unprspared,
though, considering the numerous unex-
pected events that had occurred to mo
lately, / need not have been surprised
at anything.
WI, we were both seated, MI.
Dudley, she began, you would, of course.
not expect TO hear from mo yesterday.
passed the whole of the day in PRAYER
prayer for guidance. sir. and think my
petition has been heard"
A dead silence ensued, during which
was intensely conscious that my heart
was beating twenty to the minute faster
than it ought to do. my countenance be-
traying sentiments which it would be
better policy to hide; but / spoke no
word.
you have told my stepdaughter that
You love her, said Mrs. Hargreave pres
emily.
Now that she was coming to the point
/ was ready enough with reply.
Il love her dearly, psssionarely. Butt
fear-in one sense-hopelessly.
why do you say 'hopelsssly?'
-Recause I have not the vherewithal to
support q wife.
Probably you have heard my husband
died . wealthy mani"
Il have reason for supposinS SO, Ger
tainly."
And, naturally. you expect Miss Har-
greaye to be an heiress?'
Pardon me, Mrs Hargresve. will be
perfectly frank with you. Hearing that
MIR. Hargresve 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 10 you. If
/ understand rightly, Miss Hargreave
has not shilling; but that does not pre-
vent my loving her. As to my own affairs.
l will tell YOU in as few words as possible
all about them"
And did. When I had ended, she
said:
Thank you. / will be equally candid.
ID heard something Of this"
-Ah, from DR.. Gascoigne. then! He is
the only man to whom l have spoken of
myself since coming to the North"
And you showed great discretion and
considerable discernment OF character,
Mr. Dudley, in making friend of such
man."
May ask how long You have yourself
been acquainted with DR.. Gaseoigne2" in.
quired l, waiting with peculiar interest
for her reply.
IL had slight attack of illness q
few days ago, and consul ed him. In the
course Of conversat on I Hsked if he
knew you. He said he did, and on my
making iuriher inquiry he spoke of you
in such high terms Of communication that
that"
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, need not regard my case as alto.
gether hopeless2"
Here l must remark that never once
while making her explanation did Mrs.
Hargreave look at me. She sat with her
eyes fixed on the carpet, her hands folded
on her lap. Occasionally she
came to q dead stop, and sometimes her
voice sank very low and trembled.
fro BE CONTINUED