Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1892-12-13

creditor of whom he had most reason to
be apprehensiye was the now wealthy
Oliver Empson. who had found it an
Easy matter to become possessed, of
sufficient amount of the obligations OF
Sutherland to place the latter completely
in his power
Now was the hour of his triumph, and
Empson was determined not to forgo it.
lie sought his debtor, and, with moro
precision than delicacy, stated his terms.
The hand of Kate was the price for which
he was willing to loosen his grasp ON his
victims throat.
Mr.. Sutherland had too long himself
been accustomed to look upon marriage
as a contract founded on valuable as well
as good considerations, to be greatly
shocked at Empson's proposal Indeed.
1t struck him as quite unexcepti nable;
and he was consequently much surprised,
on laying the matter before his daughter,
to find them encountered by violent
outburst of tears.
The streets were filed with rejoicing,
for the news of Johnson's surrender had
spread glRdness over the land. Kate had
been listening to the rounds of festiyity
which arose on every hand and sadly
reflected on the absence of those who
had rallied to their country s cali in the
darkness of her peril, but were not
destined to behold her triumph. No
wonder that at such moment the word
of her father grated harshly ON her ears.
She had not recovered her composure
when servant entered and announced
the name of Mr.. Empson.
81 will see him in the library snid
Mr.. Sutherland, rising.
Nof exclaimed Kate, in a tone at
decision; let him be received here, this
question may as well be settled ilk once.
Never in the days gone by, before grief
had chastened his pride, had the mean
spirited wretch who now presented him.
self feltmore abashed in her presence
g presume, Miss Sutherland, he he.
gan, after an awkward pause, your
father has already explained the nature
of a proposal have done myself the
honor to submit to your and his consid-
eration2n2,
"f y4u allude to your Insulting
threat" replied Kate, .tand the more
insulting conditions on which y6n offet
to withhold its fulfilment, / have ia.
deed been apprised of both ] know
the extent to which my father Is in your
by any conceivable sacrifice, save the
dishonoring one of becoming the wife Of
a man loathe and despise"
The father glanced appealingiy at his
daughter, but she met his look with one
full of resolution, that it was. not IN
me- sure to take sides against her.
He b. 4 his head in silence
Then you know the consequences. 9
"And accept them, was I1ate's re-
sponse as she drew near her father side,
and felt she was still n protector.
AT this moment young man entered
unannounced His pale and wasted fea.
lures might well have baftied recogni.
tion; but Kate could not be deceived.
With cry Of joy she few to meet the
stranger, and but for his prompt support
would have fallen insensible to the floor
Why, thought began EmDson,
startled.
q Yes" interrupted Charles Blaln1y,
for it was he, you thought was killed
ard had made an Investment, 1 under.
stand, in anticipation of such an event
Well, you see, it was mistake, WAS
only desperately wounded and fell into
the hands of the enemy, but not killed ?
Oliver Empson's contingent interest
in Charles Blakely's estate is for sale
chan