Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-08-20
dame moved slowly forward to meet

Her st tp long since lost it's youthful
elasticity, and her hair, which. howey-
er. was still luXuriant. was perfectly
white.
Kindly and lovingly the malster
greeted his wife, who, with many
words, welcomed him home. and then
the three sal down to their evening
meal.
supper concluded. Matthew Rivers
b%ethought himself of the letter hc had
brought with him from Alverton.
After the manner of many. the malt
ster examined every side of the letter,
the seal and then the direction. before
he opened it.
Its odd what David's writing about,
anyway
I'VE haven't heard from him for a
long while" said Mrs. Rivers.
mo, no. said her husband. Pros
perlty did him more harm than good.
1t made him look down on his rela-
tons"
I'm sure he need not look down on
us" said May.
NO, my dear. but you see, since he's
got his money, and bought the house
and bit OF ground out there near Ports
mouth. he's-Well. never mind. it's
only human nature. Let's see what
he's been writing about"
May tried not to look curious. but
there was a feeling of impatience in
her little heart, while her father slow
ly put OF his s~pectacles. hen deliber-
ately unfolded the epistle, and pressed
it fiat with his hand.
- "a 90 v-ny fnrUix-A mo For ha;n~ nm
just!" said the maltster. laying down
the letter after he had read n few
words.
What is il. fatherg"
What's the matter, Matthew"
Daughter and mother addressed
question simulta neously.
We've been condemning David,
while in my hand | hold this letter-a
kind, warm-hearted, brotherly letter"
Does he want anything asked
May.
Yes, my dear"
II thought so,' murmured May, cor
lie never would have written"
Though the words were spoken in a
low tone, Matthew Rivers heard them.
May. you speak unjustly and I'M
thinkingly. The letter is IN invitation
,0r YOU to 70 and pass a month with
them at the seaside
May clapped her hands g~leefully to-
getber.
"Oh, how good-how kind of them!'
she cried.
You would like to go?"
"Oh, yes, very, very much. Let me
read the letter"
Win Ia1imbt haapn;pr ON hor hoo ,,tf
full face she perused every line of the
writing.
oh. father, listen. He says there
will be boating parties and excursions,
and | shall see cousin Rose. When
shall | gof'
There is time enough TO settle that"
1T will be delightful How pleasant
it will be-
May | ask what it is that will give
Miss May so much pleasure." said a
soft voice behind her.
May started and turned.
Don't look so frightened, May said
her father; lit is only John Gridley.'
John Gridley bowed. He was a
young man of about w and twenty.
His features We're good and his man
ners were prepossessing, bit, at the
same time, there was an indescribable
something in his appearance which de-
tracted considerably from what would
have been a handsome face.
He was attired in dark clothes of a
somewhat Anticipated cut, and moved
about softly, as If afraid Of hearing his
own footsteps.
John Gridley had come from the
north of England a few years before
the commencement of this story, bear
ing a letter of introduction to Matthew
Rivers. who had given him q situation
in his counting house at a small salary.
In Il very short time the young clerk
showed such an aptitude for business,
and so distinguished himself i'm one or
two mercantile transactions that were
left to his management, that the malt
ster raised his salary. and entrusted
him with the overlooking of q certain
portion of the business.
AS the months went by he obtained
more and more of his employers con-
fidence.
He became not only his clerk. but his
friend, and in some things his conf
Dental adviser.
At last, shortly before the market
day upon which the. first incident of
this tale took place, Matthew Rivers
limited to the clerk hat he might, ere
long, be taken into partnership.
1t must be confessed that the worthy
maltster hoped that nearer ties than
business ones might some day exist
between him and John Gridley.
If May could only take a liking to
him, the old man thought his happiness
would be complete.
He had no intention of forcing his
daughters inclinations; but he hoped.
and even prayed, that the wish of his
heart should be granted. and that ere
he died he might see John Gridley the
manager of the business, with May for
his wife.
Had he only been able to read his
daughters thoughts, he would have
had little hope of his latter wish being
gratified.
May felt an instructive dislike to
John Gridley, and, being young and
impetuous, took little trouble TO con-
ceal her feelings; but Matthew Rivers
was blind-perhaps willfully so-he
either could not OF would not see that
no love could ever exist between John
Gridley and his daughter May.
May l ask what 1t Is hat Will give
gf -