The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1894-05-12
A PLOT SPOILED.
Why Mr.. Willoughby Didn't Get a
Wished for Loan.

Wished for Loan.
The sun had just dipped behind the
steely surface of the frozen river; the
chill of coming twilight sen a tremu-
lous shiver through the woods, tinkling
the icicles like a string of fairy bells as
it went.
Good. seasonabie weather, thought
Squire Merrifurd, as he came out To
look at the big thermometer that al
ways hung. summer and winter, beside
the porch door. 'llalloo, Steele. Is
that you?"
Yes. squire. it is J." said Milford
Steele. is Josephine at homcH"
She's at home, hut-the fact is
she's pretty considerably engaged just
at present"
That means, suppose, that Leslie
WiIloughby is calling
Squire Merriford made no direct an
swcr. but stared hard at the thcrmom-
cter.
Perhaps" went on the merciless
catechist, you could let me have the
money you promised toward the church
debt this evening? There is a vestry
meeting the day after tomorrow,
and
The squire cuughed obviously.
We'll, the fact is" said he, lit amt
convenient just at present. The
churchill have To wait. I'm maxim ar
engagements to let ont ali the cash ! can
spare now on bond and mortgage. \
man don't get such an opportunity
every day, Steele, You know"
Il should think not" said Steele,
dryly. Nine per cnt. ecInS like a
very nice little arrangement, but sup
pose the question of usury is rai,ed?'
at won't be- said the squire, conf
IDENTITY. Its between friends, you
know"
Il need not ask who this liberal
hearted friend IS" said Mr.. Steele;
Mr.. Willoughby, of course"
suppose it is" cried the Iuire test
lily; what them
MIR. Merriford," said Steele, earnest
Is, you are an older man than ! am,
yet | cannot forbear from c%ntreating
you to pause and reflect before you in
vest your whole property in such an
unsafe speculation as this What
do you know about this Leslie vii,
loughby?'
Il know he's Chief Justice Chapman's
nephew"
"He 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
grcss if he chose"
Rather improbable that"
And he OWNS u lot q property in
the upper part of the city of New
York"
Pardon 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.
81 WASN'T born yesterday, and it amt
for you to set up 10 dictate to mc. And
il Josephine fancies him more'n she
does you
she is quite welcome to her prefer
ence," sharply interrupted Steele,
ipDl evening. VII " llpl"-
lie walked quickly away down the
snowy road. the blood boiling in his
veins. lie loved Josephine MerriforC
heartily he respected the good-heart'
ed old squire, hut just now he felt that
he was almost banished from thcil
counsels.
IF ! could but prove all hat ] sus
| pect," murmured he to himself as he
crossed the little bridge that spanned d
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.
We'll, 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
vet? 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.
Il am not Leslie Willoughby," saiG
Steele composedly, but ! a tell you
where he is. just at present he is
making love to Squire Merriford':
| daughter, and trying to induce the ole
man 10 lend him money"
THAT won't do. o know" crieC
the man. who was evidently a little tn,
worse for liquor. "Nohow you al tis
il. that won't do. No lOvemaking
Cause hes married tn my sister Eliza
Peter Sprowle Is, | don't blame hin
for not Twin with Eliza-she's got {
temper like vinegar: but he ha'n't Mt
business to make love to another girl
! not while I'm around"
You have arrived just in time then
Perhaps you wouldn't mind letting thu
young lady know that your friend i:
already married"
I'D just like to put a spoke in Pet
Sprowle's wheel! | believe in homo
among thieves; but I'm hanged if
! don't think Pete means to do ME thi'
time"
Josephine Merriford was a very pref
ty girl, cherry checked and dimpled
with innocent hazel-dark eyes and 4;
red, laughing mouth; and the fire-ligh
made a fair picture of her as she sat BY
the great, oId-fashioned hearthstone
with Leslie Willoughby suspiciously
close to her.
Its easily DONE" coaxed Mr.. vii
loughby, stroking his long, waxec
mustache. Just to step down to the
nearest parson's-and, whew. we're of