The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1893-03-30

us HUE prOIeSe, anu ne laVlSneu MS
wealth upon her. Every comfort and
pleasure that money could buy was at
| her command.
"You will spoil her," the mother said
one day with deep concern. "She will
soon be ashamed to come back to her
humble surroundings here"
81 never intend that she shall come
back" he replied boldly.
"What do you mean2 Would you
take her away from me2"
"No, would make you come to her.
want to make the mother ashamed of
her surroundings, SO that she will accept
the better home which is waiting for
her. This is my object"
"Oh!" she replied, thoughtfully. Then
shaking her head sorrowfully she added >
'It is no good. will never come-not
even if you rob me OF my daughter"
But still he persisted. 1t had been a
business maxim with him to hammer
away at the same work until it yielded
to his wishes. This hard headed policy
determined him in his present purpose.
Two years rolled by and he was still
living lone bachelor life. Little Jer-
ME was prospering at a fashionable
boarding school, while her mother ped
died flowers at the old stand. John
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, unsatished
life settled upon him again.
But one day a small cloud came out of
the clear sky, and suddenly assumed the
shape and strength of a tornado. Wall
Streets foremost banker had invested
heavily in western mining stocks, and in
one day his fortune was swept ont 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 a little pale
as he read, but otherwise he showed no
signs of his misfortune.
He found note waiting for him early
the next morning. 1t had been de.
livered the night before. He knew the
handwriting we'll, and in his heart he
thanked God that he had some one to
sympathize with him in calamity.
"Come and see us Immediately. We
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.
ooh, 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
60 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 ne
thought he detected an expression of
pleasure beneath the assumed sorrow.
"And do you mind it so muchf" his
protege asked, winding her arms around
his neck. you've been so kind to u.s.
1t isn't so bad to be poor. don't mind
it and mamma don't. But you"
'Pve 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
wears she would refuse to receive any
more charity from him.
"We have prepared fine dinner for
you," interrupted Mrs. Morrow, 'and
you must feel that you're one of the
family"
'.That's impossible for me-" he said
gloomily. "rhat can never be now.
| When / was rich had some hopes, but
now that Pm poor I'll never be more to
you
She looked tenderly into his eyes. He
refused to see the expression of love.
! He had the right to let his pride keep
him from declaring his feelings again.
.There is always hope" she faltered.
"When conditions change every barrier
must also change"
s.But other barriers are erected" he
replied. -,
Her cheeks flushed. Either he did
not understand, or he felt that he had
no right to ask her to marry him in his
present circumstances.
''John," she whispered.
He looked stupidity at her.
ssYou know I-love you"
Still he remained passive. The words
out she felt freer, and continued i'm
pulsiveiy;
81 have right to say it. You have
told me that you have loved me many
times. But / could not tell you my
feelings when you were SO ricn. Now
,ra ara both moor and / tell YOU all, |