The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1894-06-15

Her father and Leigh's father had e
,cen bitter enemies for years over
"trip of WOODLAND that lay between I
heir lands. |
James Farlie, however, was a pleas '
mt. genial man, who was perfectly 7
willing to be friends with his neigh q
DOR at any time, but Anson Granger, |
feeling himself the aggrieved one,
would have none of his friendship.
Before he went abroad Leigh and
Ruth had been lovers, both perhaps
too young TO know thcageaningof the
word love in its fullest glory, but old
enough to know they liked each other.
However, when AnsOn Granger
found it out, there was stormy scene
that ended in their separation, and
after that Leigh went abroad, and
Ruth was commanded to forget him.
But Leigh had returned, and he and
Ruth had met again, and the old love
became a newer, deeper love, heart
answering heart, and beating in pas
sonatc unison.
Leigh had held her in his arms one
blissful moment; then, in a passion
of pain, she told him the story of her
engagement to Leon Clinton.
"But you love me my darling? Will
YOU wreck our two lives to keep a
promise given to please your father?
Leon Clinton will give yon back your
freedom, when he learns the story of
our love-"
Then she told him the conditions of
Gray Cllnton's wlll-the terms under
which Leon inherited his wealth.
Gwen were | willing to break with
him for loves sweet sake | could not
take his Inheritance from him."
But after Vashti's coming Il new
hope had sprung up in tue lovers
hearts.
If he loved Vashti, Ruth would give
him back his trotn, and the terms OF
the will could still be kept.
But as this hope grew near to full
nllment, it was swept away by the
hand of fate, when the aunt who hac
brought Vashti up, confessed on hel
:, death-bed that Vashti was her owr
child, and that Anson Grangers hat
I died in infancy, and to obtain a con
y tinuance of the allowance given her
u she had buried it as her own, ant
given its name to her little one.
= Anson Granger had somehow learn
:. ed to love the beautiful girl, S
strangely like his first young Wifi
=. whom he had loved with his first boy
ish passion, and perhaps memory love
:, to reyel in the past romance OF hi
life.
, He told Vashti the story, but aske
: her to stay with them still, as Ruth
- sister and a member of his home.
:" Whatever was noble in Leon Clil
~ ton came to the surface then, and /
=. told Anson Granger the story OF h
love.
"You have learned that Vaahti
=, not my daughter" Anson Grang
=, ;. said. "Do you realize that even
~" Ruth is willing to give your freedoT
=, you will have to give up your inhel
! tance?"
~ "It is because l have learned Il
~ truth, and it will prove how deep n
=" love is for Vashti, when ask her
u be my wife now," Leon said.
81 "You are willing to lose your inht
-, itance for her sake? Is that VIII
w you mean?" Anson Granger asked.
,or Perfectly willing" Leon replied
he 81 will give you month to recc
slider your decision," was the eld
ia mans reply.
led 1t seemed, however, as II fate Il
taken the matter into her own han'
)te for before the expiration of the mon
Anson Granger's life was saved
tie Leigh Fairlie, his daughters 10y
and the son of the man upon whom
,ue had always looked as an enemy
his Whether it was his narrow esca
from death, or sudden gratitude to
air, man who saved him, he not only h
six out the hand of friendship to the III
a lies. but told Ruth of Icons wish
be free, and gave his consent to
i'm. engagement to Leigh.
i'm "You have given me life. and "
give you happiness" he said, as
an. laid Ruth's slender hand in her love
nth warm clasp.
e.n All! even the shadow of death
y,s it's bright side, for in it Ans
uti. Granger's conscience awoke, ana
,or week later will was found leav
Leon Clinton his uncle's wealth
the conditionally.
tho No one save himself ever knew
,rds Anson's Granger's guilt, or drear
he had secreted the will OF his frle
tn II seemed, when death drew n
ent him Gray Clinton regretted bind
Leon and Ruth In any way.
ylin. "If they loved each other t
pas. would We'd" he reasoned; "an'
love not Well, let hearts and wills
free"
had He made later will, with
laily knowledge of Anson Granger, who
r in reared to agree with him.
been Anson Granger's one wish at
self time was To see Ruth mistress OF
Ruth stately home that was part OF lie
ewes inheritance, as we'll as to put a bal
- ,x..... l. 80 ~ a n;vN Eatrlio.