The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1893-11-22

ments and repairs, and the mills would
be sold for a mere song.
They are so thoroughly disguised, !"
said, speaking of the company, ''that they
would catch at any offer. Nobody will
buy. Money is not very plenty, and any
experienced person can see that there
must be heavy outlay at the outset"
"Do you think ten OF fifteen thousand
dollars would buy the mills ?' / asked
almost afraid of derision, knowing how
much they had cost to erect, and what
handsome fortunes had been made in
them.
81 am positive it would but il might
as well be ten millions, as far as am
concerned"
Have you no property % asked.
"a tumble down house and barren
farm IN Pennsylvania" he said, laugh
ing-''a legacy from my grandmother"
There was no more said Of the mills,
but / made an errand to Philadelphia,
saw the lawyer who managed our prop
erty. and out Of my abundant means
opened the way to Independence for the
man | loved. / do not claim to have
been disinterested or unselfish. loved
Stephen Derrick, and / believed he loved
me. / thought to be repaid a thou
sand fold When he came to me, a pros
porous man, and asked me to be his wife.
My frst happiness came when he
brought to me the good news knew was
coming, but which was 50 totally unex-
pected to him, and claimed my usual
sympathy and counsel.
at seemed incredible" he said. "An
offer of twenty-five thousand dollars for
farm 1 would have gladly taken FIVE
hundred for. Mr. Mafon, a lawyer in
Philadelphia, writes to me and says the
money will be paid as soon as I sign the
papers"
"But," 1 said hypocritically "there
may be oil or coal there. You may lose
upon the sale"
an take the risk. To own these mills,
to run them on my own plan, to stay in
Barton's Corner, l would sell all the coal
in Pennsylvania if owned it,
So the bargain was made, and all win
ter lived in q FOOLS paradise. Every
new plan was submitted to me. coax
ed workingmen TO stay. 1 made sGgges-
tions founded upon memories Of fathers
plans. And Connie would fit about like
a butterfly in her pretty dresses, and
laugh al our gravity or break in upon our
serious consultations with her songs.
II was the first proof Of Stephens
frightened hopes that he began, foE the
first time, to follow Connie to the piano;
to chat with her upon light, gay subjects;
to compliment her in courtly language
And she would smile and blush, and tell /.
me, in confidence, that really Stephen I
was wonderfully improved since he !
bought the mills.
Spring found me blind still. a lovely |
day in May tempted me to lOiter in the |
garden, and | was dreaming Of the future !
had built with golden fingers and rosy
hopes, when heard C1nnie's voice in /
the summer house. Comics almost liv- !
ed in the garden, SO was not suprissd; |
but moment later Stephen spoke:
"Why, my darling, it will be no news
to your cousin. Months ago told her Of |
my love for you-my despair at my pow
erty-and she has so often spoken hope /
fully Of my success in wooing, kept up /
a brave heart. Bat tell me again, Con
ME, my Connie, that you love me-"
went to the house stunned. / gained |
the room Connie and l shared and tried /
te realize il all.
Stephen loves Connie.
kept repeating it over and over but 4
the words conveyed no meaning to my
mind. Yet when Connie came to tell /
me her sweet secret and claim my con-
gratulstions | could listen and talk, and I
even meet Stephen without betraying
myself.
Nobody thought it strange should
visit my Aunt Maria hundreds of miles
from home. 1 have often been here, and
Comics pouting at my resolutions to
stay till October had no effect.
think mother guessed my secret, but
said nothing, only smOothed my way,
talking away any appearance Of oddity
at my absence on the wedding day.
III were only sure Connie would make
Stephen hai py l could be more recon
called; out she is silly, so shallow. What
did be see in her? Her beautiful face,
her child-like manners have won him
but will they keep Lis love: Will ne
not miss sympathy, intelligence, and
companionship?
may not question. By this time
these two lOve-these two, l repeat
are married, and no one shall ever know
whose unseen hand sn0othed the way TO
their bridal.
And I will 20 home to mother know
ing will meet no voice or face to re-
mind me of my lost love and hope, pray
ing only that / may be ever a true friend
IN Connie and Commas husband