The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1894-06-15
A PLOT SPOILED.
Why MIR. WillouGhby Didn't Get a
Wished for Loan.

The sun had just dipped behind the
steely surface of the frozen river; the
chill OF coming twilight sent tremu-
lous shiver through the woods, tinkiing
the icicles like a 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 l." 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 Merriford made no direct an
swer, but stared hard at the thermom-
eter.
Perhaps" went on the merciless
cateehist, 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 dubiouslv.
We'll, the fact is said he, 1T amt
convenient just at present The
churchill have to wait I'm maxim ar
rangements To let out all the cash | can
spare now on bond and mortgage A
man don't get such opportunity
every day, Steele, YOU know"
II should think not" said Steele,
dryly. Nine per cent. seems like
very nice little arrangement. but sup
pose the question of usury is raised?'
a 49,
IDENTITY. Its between friends you
know"
II need not ask who this liberal
hearted friend is said Mr.. Steele;
MIR. Willough by, of course"
Suppose it is" cried the squire test
lily; what then?'
MIR Merriford." said Steele, earnest
ly, you are an older man than 1 am,
yet cannot torbear from entreating
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 Will
loughby?'
II 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 niight be member of con-
gress il he chose"
Rather improba ole that
And he owns lot u 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
..Iwasn't born yesterday, and II amt
for YOU To set up TO dictate to rue And
if Josephine fancies him more'n she
does you"
she is quite welcome to her prefer
ence," sharply interrupted Steele
Good evening, Mr. Merriford-"
He walked quickly away down the
snowy road. the blood boiling in his
veins lie loved Josephine Merriford
heartily-he respected the good-heart-
ed old squire, but just now h- felt that
he was almost banished from their
counsels-
If | could but prove all that l sus-
meet murmured he to himself as he
crossed the little bridge that spanned a
brawling rivulet
A hand fell on his shoulder at the
same instant.
.Hallo. Sprowle! I'm punctual to the
second, you see
Steele stared round, without immedi-
ately answering to this unexpected
greeting
We'll, then. Mr.. Leslie Willoughby,
Esq, if you like that better" cried
the stranger, with burst of laughter.
''IIave you raised that sum of money
vet? That's what 1 want to know.
Because old Samuels Is getting crusty,
and The deucen'
Just at that moment, looking full
into his face, the stranger discovered
his mistake
Il am not Leslie Willoughby, said
Steele composedly. but l can tell you
where he is. just at present he i:
making love to Squire Merriford
daughter, and trying To induce the OLD
man to lend him money"
That won't do, You know" cries
, the man, who was evidently little tn,
worse for liquor. '.Nohow you can n,
1t, that won't do. No lovemaking
Cause he's married TO my sister Eliza
Peter Sprowle is! l don't blame hin
for not livin' with Eliza-she's got :
temper like vinegar; but he ha' mt nC
| m Ia. TO Il