Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1890-03-14
EHAPTER VI.
A sTEPMOTHER's CONFIDENCE.

MadIy! That was Just it. I was mad
~ in love in every sense of the term.
1 had succumDed at once to the pas
sion as many a better man had done
before - as many Will continue to do
until the end of time.
What was to come of it? L wondered,
as 1 sat smoking in my room all through
the small hours. The girl was at least
as much in love with me as 1 with
her; of that 1 had not the least
doubt. She was of age; I, my own mas
ter; none could say US nay. But, alas,
the means-the means most certainly
we're wanting! Even suppOsing Mrs.
HargreaYe approved of me sufficiently to
make her stepdaughter a handsome al
lOWance, would my pride permit me to
live on that?
ought to have left for CoaltOwn by
the earliest train on Monday morning,
but, of course, under existing circum-
stances, that was out of the question.
At 7:3O, when 1 opened my door, L
found a letter lying-a letter addressed
to me in an unknown hand. Tearing IN
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 l
should desire an interview with you. Will
you call upon me at II O'Clock? Believe me
sincerely yours, MARTHA HARGREAYE.
wrote, agreeing to call at IL o clock
for the fateful meeting, telegraphed to
the bank that nv absence that day was
unavoidable. and scarcely knew whether
I stood on my heels or my head till L
found myself entering the door Of 10. 70.
Mrs. Hargreave only was in the room.
She received me with q sOlemnlty or man
ner for which I was quite unprepared,
though, considering the numerous uneX-
pected events that had occurred to me
lately, 1 need not have been surprised
at anything.
When we were both seated, 41Ir.
Dudley, she began, you would, OfcOurse,
not expect to hear from me yesterday. L
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 1t would be
better policy to hide; but 1 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
1 was ready enough with reply.
4 love her dearly, passionateIy. But
fear-in one hOpelessly.
why do you say 'hOpelessly?'
Because I have not the WheTeWithal to
| support a wife.
Probably you have heard my husband
died a wealthy MANI"
II have reason for suppOslng so, GER
tainly."
And, naturally, you expect Miss Har-
| greave to be an heiress2"
Pardon me, Mrs. Hargreave. will Te
perfectly frank with you. Hearing thai
| Mr. Hargreave died rich, it would have
| been but natural for me to expect he had
/ left his wealth to his only child, But
l. L. Id nEA ,5
| hOW-that everything was left to you. II
| I understand rightly, Miss Hargreave
/ has not a shilling; but that does not pre-
/ vent my loving her. AS to my own affairs
! Will tell you in as few words as possible
/ all about them.
And I did. When had ended, sh'
said:
/ Thank you. will be equally candid
/ I had heard something OF this
"Ah, from DR.. GascOigne, then! He i
! the only man to whom I have spoken O.
/ myself since coming to the North.
And you showed great discretion ant
| considerable discernment Of character
Mr.. Dudley, in making friend Of such
| man.
MAY I ask how long you have yoursel
been acquainted with Dr.. GascOigne?" in
quired I, waiting with peculiar interes
/ for her reply.
II had a slight attack Of illness
few days ago, and consulted him. In tn
/ course of conversation I asked if b
knew you. He said he did, and on m
making further inquiry he spoke of yO-
in such high terms Of Communication tina
that
She paused in evident embarrassment
It became my duty, obviously, to assis
her. Almost beside myself with happi
ness, I did so thus;
In fact, having heard so much in m
favor, need not regard my case rs alto
gether hOpelessf"
Here I must remark that never one
while making her explanation did Mrs
HargFeave look at me. She sat with he
eyes fixed on the carpet, her hands fOlde
together on her lap. Occasionally sh
came to a dead stop, and sometimes he
voice sank very low and trembled.
fro BE Continued
Begging.