Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1894-05-10
A PLOT SPOILED.
Why Mr.. Willoughby Didn't Get a
Wished for Loan.


steely surface of the frozen river; the
chill of coming twilight sent tremu-
lous SILVER through the woods, tinkling
the icicles like string of fairy bells as
it went.
Good, seasonable weather." thought
Squire Merriford, as he came out to
look at the big thermometer that al
ways hung, summer and winter. beside
the porch door. ''Halloo, Steele! Is
that yOu?'
Yes, squire, it is H. said Milford
Steele. rs Josephine at home?'
She's at home, but-the fact is
she's pretty considerably engaged just
at present.
That means, l suppose, that Leslie
Willoughby is calling?'
Squire Merrford made no direct an
swer, but stared hard at the thermom-
eter.
"Perhaps," went on the merciless
catechist, you could let me have the
money you promised toward the church
debt this evening? There is vestry
meeting the day after tomorrow,
and"
The squire coughed obviously.
''Well, the fact is said he, lit amt
convenient just at present. The
churchill have to wait. Pm maxim ar
engagements to let ont all the cash l can
spare now on bond and mortgage A
man don't get such an opportunity
every day, Steele, you know
Il should think not" said Steele,
dryly. Nine per cent. seems like Il
very nice little arrangement, but sup
pose the question of usury is raised?'
1T won't be- said the squire, conf.
IDENTIFY. Its between friends, you
know
II need not ask who this LIBERAL
hearted friend is said Mr.. Steele;
"Mr: Willoughby, Of course"
suppose it is."' cried the squire test
lily; "What thcn?'
Mr.. Merriford,' said Steele, earnest
~, you are an older man than | am,
yet cannot forbear from entreating
you to pause and reflect before you in
vest Your whole property in such an
unsafe speculation rs this What
do you know about this Leslie Will
loughby?"
Il know he's Chief Justice Chapman's
nephew"
lie says So"
And he owns four thousand acres of
land out west"
"According to his own account"
And he might be a member of con-
gress if he chose
Rather improbable that"
And he owns Il lot O property in
the upper part OF the city of New
York."
''Purdon me, but do not credit all
this. | sincerely believe that he is de-
ceiving both you and your daughter"
The squire grew very red in the face.
IL wasn't born yesterday, and it amt
for you to set up TO dictate to Iue. And
If Josephine fancies him more'n she
does you-'
''She is quite welcome to her prefer
ence," sharply interrupted Steele.
Good evening, Mr.. Merritord.'
lie walked quickly away down the
snowy road, the blood boiling in his
veins. lie loved Josephine Merriford
heartily-ke respected the good-heart
ed old squire, but just now he felt that
he WAS dlHlOSG OdulSAeu 1IOlu tlelf
counsels.
''If could but prove all that l sus-
pect,' murmurcd he to himself as he
crossed the little bridge that spanned
brawling rivulet.
A hand fell on his shoulder at the
same instant.
Halo, Sprowle! I'm punctual to the
second, you see
Steele stared round, without immedi-
ately ans wering to this unexpected
greeting.
"Well, then, Mr. Leslie Willoughby,
Esq, if you like that BETTER" cried
the stranger, with a burst of laughter.
Have you raised that sum of money
yet? That's what | want to know.
Because old Samuels is getting crusty,
and The deuce!''
Just at that moment, looking full
into his face, the stranger discovered
his mistake.
II am not Leslie Willoughby," said
Steele composedly, "but l can tell you
where he is. Just at present he is
making love to Squire Merriford's
daughter, and trying to induce the old
man to lend him money
THAT won't do, you know! cried
the man, who was evidently little the
worse for liquor. ''Nohow you can fix
it, that won't do No lovemaking!
Cause he's married to my sister Eliza,
Peter Sprowle is! ! don't blame him
for not Twin with Eliza-she's got
temper like vinegar; but he ha'n't no
business to make love to another girl
not while Pm around"
"You have arrived just in time then.
Perhaps you wouldn't mind letting the
young lady know that your friend is
already married"
I'D just like to put spoke in Pete
Sprowle's wheel! l believe in honor
among thieves; but Pm hanged if
don't think Pete means to do me this
time"
Josephine Merriford was very pref
ty girl, cherry checked and dimpled,
with innocent hazel-dark eyes and a
red, laughing mouth; and the freight
made a fair picture of her as she sat by
the great old-fashioned hearthstone,
with Leslie Willoughby suspiciously
close to her.
'lts easily DONE" coaxed Mr. Wiz
loughby, stroking his long, waxed
mustache "Just to step down to the
nearest parson's-and, whew! we're Oft