Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1892-06-17

have a princely gift from me; but she
must ask me for it"
But Annie received nothing, for she
never would ask him for nything. There
fore the modification she was enduring
now, three years later, on her way to i'm
plore favor from him, is more easily
imagined than described. Poor Annie!
her grandfather would certainly try her
temper and her patience by attacks on
her husband reproaches and sneers would
be lavished upon him. But the thought
of defending the being she loved best in
the world gave her certain courage.
1t was noon when she reached her des-
tination, and, as she had sent no intima-
ton Of her coming, the carriage was not
waiting at the station. She was therefore
obliged to walk to the house.
The cold was excessive, the ground
frozen and uneven. The chill north wind
blew sharply through the bare and leaf
less woods; the little lake was black, re
fecting the leaden skies above; the whole
scene was gloomy and discouraging, and
the creaking of the weather cock on the
stables seemed to say, Don't come here
don't come herew
Annie went towards the fire, and, seat
ing herself without even lifting her veil.
proceeded at once to lay before the grand
father the occasion of her unexpected
visit. She dare not even attempt the or
binary exchange Of courtesies, lest she
should lose all courage.
He did not interrupt her while she
spoke, but an acute observer could lave
seen in his eyes a CLEAN Of malicious low
go he thought to himself. these stuck
un Speeds are humbled at last. and have
felt the need of old Gray" When she had
finished. he began, of course, with the
words:
Il told You 50. l knew things must
come to thu, sooner or later! and then in
hard, severe toit@ continued to express
his surprise that, when his sentiments were
20 well known to his family, she should
have ventuIed to apply to him, finishing
by fatty refusing to lend her a penny.
Then Annie spoke of her child who
would have to bear the dishonor of her
fathers failure; bat The old man remained
un:..oved, and q. lnrht to humiliate
her still further: was that hard.
vulgar nature kes to leave the
marks OF his hob. shoes on the face
Of his fallen enemy.
"All l can say. is my dear, that you can
have home ut Oaklands. Your husband
may come, too, for need secretary. and
will pay him small salary; tell him so"
She rose in Indignation. She came as
his grandchild. and he received her as if
she had been a he:r-"'r. God be praised!
She had not reacitt.,. That point. And An
me turned towards lie door.
Take care said the old man. ''You
may come to that yet! 1t is for your sake
I have Offered to receive your husband
here. You have no idea of the life he
leads IN London. on you certainly would
not ask me to assist him with my money.
But l am pretty well acquainted with the
scamIjs doings. / know where he passes
his days and nights"
Annie'S ewes crew lar~er with terror.
for her heart told her that she was ABOUT
to hear some terrible revelation. The old
man continued:
SYLVIA has expensive tastes"
''Sylvia?' cried Annie.
EXACTLY so; and Sylvia has spent every
penny of your husbands property, with
the full consent Of her own good man, be
it understoodv'
Coldly and relentlessly her grandfather
related to Annie whence came the money
for the purchase Of the villa at Richmond,
for the horses and carriages. and for the
jewels worn by Sylvia; not a detail did he
soften, and it was wonderful how he could
have learned so much.
Annie listened with a smile of crcdulity
which eXaSperated the old man.
All! You don't believe me; you want
proofs: Very well then; go to Hancock's,
the jeweler. A fortnight ago George
bought there necklace for which he paid
a thousand pourds-a thousand pounds
on the eve Of failure"
Ha pairbf haua ,rn, q M, tollyiDo fop
the whole day without any interruption
from Annie. She dared not speak lest her
trembling voice should betray her emotion.
and the brave woman wished to smile on
to the end. At last he stopped. She bowed,
and turned to the door again.
"Are you going7 Why are you in such
q hu1y2" asked Mr.. Gray, following her
out. Wait for the carriage to take you
to the station"
Annie shook her head and walked on
with her grandfather following Ler.
Erect and apparently composed, she
crossed the lawn so well-known to her
from childhood. Her favorite seat Tnder
the tree still stood there, out she had not
a thought nor a look for them, nor even
for the Old dog who ran to greet her.
She had entered the house as if she had
some claim to kindness and protection ;
she left it like a stranger, wrapped in her
own cares and SORROWS.
"Good-bye, grandfather"
..Good-bye and the gate was violently
closed behind her.
She stood for a moment and turned to
look back at a spot once SO dear to her
As she did so she caught sight of the little
post box at the lodge. and WAS instantly
overwhelmed by one OF those sudden
CLEANS of memory which sometimes bring
back trivial act bearing on orr present
joys or sorrows. 1t was here. three short
years before, that she had placed in the
box that fatal letter inviting Sylvia to
visit her for a month. Why had not some
thing warned her7
Had / but known" she said; had
but knownw And she could almost have
fancied that she held the envelope in her
hand. Then, as she thought Of her child.
she felt momentaly indignation against
the injustice of life. But suddeni she
exclaimed. mo, it is not trueI' and as she
hurried towards the station the unhappy
woman continued to do battle with her
own doubts and fears. She comprenended
now her husbands constant absence. his
preoccUpied air, and evident anxie;ies.
As Annie reached the deserted station
she felt touch on her hand. It was the
old dog. who had followed. The sight OF
this one faithful friend. his humble. low
ing caresses. broke down her fortitude
She knelt upon the frozen ground, and
laying her head on his rough coat, wept
convulsively. Suddenly. ashamed of her.
self. she rose. and sent him home again
with an ali so imperative that the pool
creature obeyed IN an instant.
Annie's first thought on reaching Lon
don, was to go to the jeweller who, her
grandfather had said. had sold George the
necklace. If that story were true, the
OF hers would LIE alSo R,,t hon. fears lest