Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1892-07-22

place, so Ferris, with the air OF one who
knew just where he was going, stepped
inside. From the open door of Papa
Fields study came the sound of voices
In earnest discussion, aud ono of them
spoke his own name.
He halted, irresolute, as would any
one else under like circumstances. Pspa
Field was speaking:
"Of course, my dear, you arc your
own mistress, and can only advise you.
1t seems to me, however; that you have
done very foolish thing to engage
yourself to this young Ferris. True, he
seems an exemplary young fellow, and
he comes Of an excellent family; but it
is well known that he has only q small
allowance from the estate in addition 70
beggarly two thousand dollars salary.
How do you know it is you, and not
your money that he wants2 1t is brutal
question, know, but it is one you have
probably asked of yourself half.dozen
times, concerning other young men,"
Arthur, out in the hall, standing in
much the same attitude child assumes
when speaking its first "picce" in school,
WINGED, but waited for the answer. 1t
came, in serious, thoughtful tones, which
indicated plainly that Miss Bernice, also,
had considered this very matter.
.'N-no, 1 am sure you misjudgc him,
papa. OF course understand how he is
situated financially, and-and oil that.
But am sure he is honest and honor
able, and that he-he cares for me very
much. There is thousand ways by
which Con loarn t1,,A
and"
.rYes, yes; 1 understand. But sup
pose you should put HIM to the test; do
you think he would come through-ah-
er-unscathed, as it wcre7 Suppose you
should tell him that had lost all your
money and mine in unfortunate specua-
tion-thnt we were beggars, aud had not
dollar we could call our own2 Are
you afraid to try himl"
There was brief silence. then:
al don't like to tell falsehood, papa;
but it would be only white lie and
perhaps for the best. Yes, I'll try him
tomorrow night"
"That's my dutiful girl. Now run
along and let mo work"
There was the sound OF a kiss, and the
perspiring young man in the hall
fastened to get out of the house. He
wanted time to think, but the first thing
that entered his head, as he reached the
sidewalk, was fanciful picture of the
petite Miss Field, with her ono hundred
and sixty pounds of avoirdupois trimming
along, "and he smiled broadly. Then he
walked rapidly over to the next street to
ot.,h 4. 20 h. 81, 81, -
pow-wow with Cross.
On the steps he hcsitated moment.
"Had better go back now7" he
thought. "No; she won't havo her lit
tic tale of woe ready, and might be put
out if call tonight. 1 might give my
self away too. Better have time to get
my speech prepared" And this astute
young man went IN and proceeded to
make himself comfortable.
The next evening, with his usual light
heart and good spirits, he rang the door
bell of the Field mansion. Yes, Miss
Field was in, Peter said. Ferris went
into the drawing-room and sat down,
running rapidly over in his mind the
various tender speeches he had prepared
for the emergency. Bernice was long
time coming, be thought, for one who
expected him.
Presently she Observation-Disclosures
ly. Her head bent low over her bosom,
and her breath came short aud fast.
Ferris went forward to meet her, his
arms outstretched. He was something
of an actor himself, and he knew it.
"Bernice! Darling! What is the
trouble with my little girl2" (Another
good stroke. Miss Field liked to be
called "little.")
ooh, Arthur, Arthur! don't know
how to tell you. 1t is too DREADFUL
Papa"
"Wbatl Has your father been"
ooh, no, not that; but-but worseI
Arthur, we are-beggarsl'
And Miss Field, delivering these last
words with wonderful impressiveness,
hung her head and sobbed bitterly be-
hind her lace handkerchief.
Then it was that Ferris, like the young
man of action that he was, put his arm
as far round his tenrful fiancee Us posi-
BILE, and, with some difficulty led her to
a seat and pulled her head down on his
glossy shirt front.
He was very, very sorry, as she must
know. Blu: it was nothing. Her father
would recoup hlmself-he had many in
fluential friends. As for her, had she
not him-hcr Arthur He would not,
he once interrupted her to cay, permit
her, through sense of false pride, to
cast him off now, when she most needed
him. No, neverl
He had three thousand year. It was
not much, he knew, but they could live
on it. And did she suppose, for one
instance, that he had expected to live on
his wife's money! No! A thousand
times, mol
"We will have real quiet, little wed.
ding, dearest, aud, after it is over, we
will go quietly to our own little cottage
in the suburbs, which you and I will get
ready in the meantime, and there we
will be the happiest couple in the world.
What! Bernice, am to understand that
you laugh at my cherished plansa"
For Bernice had leaped to her feet and
was laughing heartily.