The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1893-01-26

which 10 hal never vibrsted before. ''Is
it--because he is poor--snd I am RIGHT"
81 think 90, dear--yes."
The color mounted in deep wave
over Mina's delicate neck I'd cheeks.
"Tell him." said the poor child, still
lower than before, "tell him that don't
mind" And. seizing her hat, Nina fed
from the room.
An hour later little note came:
"Would Miss Barbara, it said, "ten
Mr.. Dilkley that Minas mother, Mrs.
Wilton, would be glad to see him at
dinner the following eveningi'
Poor little Minal
Well did Barbara Dilkley understand
the meaning OF this rash yet pitiful lit
tie missive. II Vincent would 90 and if
he would speak-theu all might be well
with them. II not. there was that voy-
age Nina had spoken Of. Barbara in.
stinctively felt that this was the turning
point in Vincent Dilkley's life.
"Vincent," she said that night, after
a long silence, during which he had
stood staring motionless out into the
serene beauty Of the summer moonlight,
''she loves you, you love her. Oh, I
know you dol Why can't you be happyi
What is wealth or poverty that it should
stand between you sol 1t is your PRIDE"
He turned from the window almost
fiercely.
"Barbara, Barbara, don't tempt me
so! Don't make it any harderl It's bad
enough. Pridei think need all the
pride l have. What right have to take
that young girls lovei What have to
offer her1 Can drag her down to my
levell Can | live ON her money!"
"You will be famous some day, per-
maps" said Miss Barbara.
Her brother laughed. There was no
mirth in the sound.
"You may say so, Bah, to keep me
from sinking too low in my own eyes.
But you know, aud know, that me.
diocrity l am aud will remain to the
end. Such fellows as have no right to
think Of such creatures as Nina Wilton.
She is young, she is beautiful, she has
all that life can bestow. l was not made
for such rs she, bless herl" Aud his
voice had dropped very low. "No, J
shall not 60 there tomorrow"
Nor was fate to give him the oppor.
tunity OF changing mis- decision.
The next morning dread report
reached the village aud like wild fire
spread in an hour through all the coun-
try round. Mr.. Abel Wilton, million.
aire, owner of town house aud country
house aud yacht and blooded horses, had
been found dead il his library-dead
and with small vial in his tight
cleuched hand.
The reason for the deedi People
asked each other with horror stricken
faces. 1t was unheard OF, incompreheu.
sible.
Not so unheard Of, not so iucompre
hensible as the day wore on. The first
vague rumor of business troubles had
grown and now the truth could no
longer be concealed. Search had been
made. papers found. Mr.. Abe Wilton,
millionaire by no rightful title, had been
such now these many months. The town
house and country house, the yacht aud
the blooded horses - frauds, hollow
WbShNiAOos iOhGlo bnlutu UNtT LUu
top Of precipice, hiding tho yawning
depths beneath, even perhaps from the
man himself, who still wildly hoped for
some impossible chance to avert the blow
OF fate.
1t was a rainy, dreary afternoon, and
Vincent Dilkley had gone up to the
beautiful country house, now iuexpressi.
bly, dismal and soon to be the Wiltons
no longer.
1t was the first time he had seen Nina
since her fathers death. She came
toward him across the long room 10
silence, coldly and with downcas. lids.
Her black dress made her seem very
frail and young, but her eyes had become
woman's. She gave him her hand dis.
family.
Then, under his strong pressure, she
at last looked up, aud all her new re-
serve, her fresh born shame aud con-
sciousness of the love she had shown him,
melted away of sudden. with little
cry, and she was fast locked in his arms.
"oh, Vincent" she so5bed like a
tired child, "I thought you did not care
for mew
"Mina-Minai Had l the hight to
care or to show it thenl"
sat was your pride. IL was not so
proud;" she blushed and hung her head.
al am not so proud now"
"Mina!" The pressure grew tighter
still.
"Poor papsl" lower, with her face
buried on his shoulder. ''Is it very
wrong, Viucentl l can't grieve as /
should, because"-a little squeeze-"I
have you now. New York Mercury.
Steamships OF the World.