Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-04-03

died flowers at the OLD stanu. Jonn
Scollard had pleaded with the woman
for her own sake, and for her daughters
sake, to marry him; but she always
gave the same reply. He grew less hope
full, and his old melancholy, unsatisfed
life settled upon him again.
But one day small cloud came out Of
the clear sky, and suddenly assumed the
shape and strength of tornado. Wall
Streets foremost banker had invested
heavily in western mining stocks, and in
one day his fortune was swept out of ex-
istence. He returned home that night
quietly and calmly as ever. He read the
evening papers critically. They were
full of his disaster, and the terrible crash
which had shaken the financial founda-
tions of the city. He grew little pale
as he read, but otherwise he showed no
signs of his misfortune.
He found a note waiting for him early
the next morning. 1t had been de-
livered the night before. He knew the
handwriting well, and in his heart he
thanked God that he had some one to
sympathize with him in calamity.
'COfUe anu STE US luliuCoiotCiys NO
have read of your misfortune. Jennie
is home from school. We sympathize
with you, and want to comfort you.
You have been so kind to us in the past. ="
He kissed the note paper several
times. The walters at the hotel looked
curiously at him as he passed out. Some
expected that he would commit suicide
after the failure, but he looked strong
and calm. He carried mornings paper
in his hand, containing fuller account
of the great failure. He walked briskly
toward the lower part of the city, and
inwardly thought that people who knew
him would think that the appropriate di-
rection for him to direct his steps.
"Oh, John, it's too bad," was the un-
expected greeting which he received
from the woman he loved. "We've
read all about it, and we feel SO much
for you. Jennie is home and never will
go back to school again. But you must
come and make your home near us.
Well take care of you."
He smiled at her eagerness, and he
thought he detected an expression of
pleasure beneath the assumed sorrow.
"And do you mind it so much9" his
protege asked, winding her arms around
his neck. "You've been so kind to US
1t isn't SO bad to be poor. don't mind
it and mamma don't. But you"
"I've been poor, too, he replied, kiss.
ing the golden head.
"Then we're all alike again, and we
won't feel that you are so far above u.s."
He smiled at her words. Even she
appreciated the difference in their sta
tions in life, and probably in few
years she would refuse to receive any
more charity from him.
"We have prepared fine dinner fol-
you," interrupted Mrs. Morrow, "and
you must feel that you're one of the
family"
"That's impossible for me-" he said
gloomily. "That can never be now
When was rich had some hopes, but
now that Pm poor Pll never be more t.
you."
She looked tenderly into his eyes. Fl,
refused to see the expression of love
He had the right to let his pride keel
him from declaring his feelings again.
"There is always hope" she faltered
"When conditions change every barrier
must also change"
"But other barriers are erected" ht
replied.
Her cheeks flushed. Either he die
not understand, or he felt that he hat
no right to ask her to marry him in hi
present circumstances.
"John," she whispered.
He looked stupidly at her.
"You know I-love you."
Still he remained passive. The word
out she felt freer, and continued i'm
pulsively:
81 have a right to say it. You have
told me that you have loved me many
times, But 1 could not tell you m,
feelings when you were SO rich. Nov
we are both poor, and tell you all.
love you, rich OF poor, but 1 could no
speak it before"
"Thank God then that l failed, f" b
said fervently. ~ have found hom
by it,"
They did everything after that t
make him happy. The home was
small one, bnt it seemed brighter thai
his mansion. He spent the rest of tn
day with them, and only left late Q
night to return to his hotel. He wa
busy on the following day in windin
up his business affairs. The little fowe
stand was no longer to be the means c
support of the widow. They had de
cided to move into some quiet cottag
,in the country, where they could begi
their life anew. The wedding was ,
quiet as the engagement.
John Scollard arranged for the plac
and had it furnished handsomely.
was far beyond his wife's anticipation
and she was agreeably surprised at tn
surroundings. Jennie was jubilant wit
the new prospect.
"It's so nice and cosy here" she sal
gleefully. "It's even better than q
boarding school,"
"Im happy if it will suit you," job
Scollard said, with peculiar smile
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