Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1894-08-09
NlpPED IN THE BUD.

Steely surface OF the frozen RIVER the
chill Of coming twilight sent a uemu-
lous SILVER through the woods tinkling
the icicleS like string of fairy bells
as ii went.
Squire Merriford, as he came out to
look at the big thermometer that al
ways hung, summer or winter, beside
the porch door. Halo, Steele, Is
that your
Yes, Squire, it is L. said Milford
Steele. lis Josephine at home3n
She's at home, but-the fact is
she's pretty considerably engaged just
! ut present"
THAT means, | suppose, that Leslie
Willoughby IS calling!"
Squire Merriford made no direct an
swer, but stared hard al the Their
mometer
Perhaps went on the merciless
cltechist, you would let me have the
money you promised toward the
church debt this evening. Thele is
Il vestry meeting the day after to-
morrow, and
The Squire coughed obviously.
well, the fact is said he, 1t amt
convenient just at present. The
churchill have 10 wait I'm maxim
arrangements 10 let out all the cash |
can spare now ON bond and mortgage.
A man doesn't get such an opportunity
every day, Steele, you know
Il should think not said Steele,
dryly. Nine per cent. seems very
nice little arrangement, but suppose
the question of usury is raised:n
lit won't be- said the Squire, corh-
IDENTIFY. Its between friends, you
know"
Il need not ask who this liberal
hearted friend is" said Mr.. Steele:
MIR Willoughby, Of course
Suppose it isv' cried the Squire.
testify; what them
MIR. MelTiford," said Steele, earnest
ly, you are an older man than | am,
yet cannot forbear from entreating
you 10 pause and reflect before you
invest your whole property i'll such an
unsafe speculation as this. What do
you know of this Leslie WilloughbyT y
Il know he is Chief Justice Chap
mans nephew"
He says so.
And he owns 4.U00 acres of land
ont west"
According to his own statement"
And he might be member IL con
gress if he chose.
Rather Improbable that
And he owns lot O. property III
the upper pal4 Of the city of New
York"
Pardon me, but l do not credit all
this. | sincerely believe that he i de-
ceiying you and your daughter
The squire grew very red in the
face.
II wasn't born yesterday, and 1t amt
for you to set up to dictate to me. And
il Josephine fancies him more'n she
does you"
She is quite welcome to her prefer
enee," sharply interrupted Steele.
Good evening, Mr. Merriford.'
He walked quickly away down tine
snowy road. the blood boiling in his
veins. He loved Josephine Merrlford
heartily-he respected the good-hearted
old squire. but now he felt that he
was almost banished from their coun-
sells.
IF / could but prove all that sus.
pect," murmured he to himself as he
crossed the little bridge that spanned
a brawling riyulet.
A hand fell on his shoulder at the
same instant.
"Hallo, Sprowle. l am punctual TO
the second. you see"
Steele stared around. without imn1e-
diately answering to this unexpected
greeting.
We'll, then, Mr.. Leslie Wiiloughby.
Esq. If you like that better" cried
the stranger, with 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 deucer'
Just at that moment, looking full
into his face, the stranger discovered
his mistake.
II am not Leslie Willoughby,' said
Steele. composedly, but | can tell you
where he is. Just at present he is
making love to Squire Merrifords
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 love
making! Cause he's married to my
sister Eliza, Peter sprowle II. I-don't
blame him for not living with Eliza
she's got a temper like vinegar: but
he ha'n't no business to make love