Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1896-04-09

had to come down in his place The
weather was atrociously cold, the March
winds strong and clustering, with show
ers of sleet and snow, and felt cold and
miserable. At the end of the reading OF
the will was making my way out to get
back TO the hotel when some one said
''Mr. Wiburn, / believer l looked around
and saw stiff, military looking old boy
regarding mo with smile through his
speotacles. Charley" said he, don't
you remember moi" j thought to my
self: ooh, now I'm in for it. Here's a
nice mess, all through trying To serve
Charley Just my bad luck This feel
ing did not grow less when he said; Mil
ly wants To speak to you. She has been
looking at You and says she can hardly
recognize you for her old playfellow. "
c'No wonder, thought. cit would be
strange If she did. y
She came up and shook hands, and the
moment looked at her / simply fell help
lessly head over ears in love with her then
and there. She seemed to be the loveliest
most adorable creature had ever seen. a
sudden resolve came into my mind. Rath-
or than run the risk of losing a chance
now had of speaking to her l would say
nothing about my rot being Charley, -
let the consequences be what they might.
Don't you remember your little play
mate Mill?" said She with IL blush and
an enhancing look in her beautiful eyes
"Well, it's not SO surprising, for | should
never have known you, either, if Mr..
Parchly had not pointed you out To us
Before | exactly realized what / was
doing was whisked off To Major Rain
fields house--as | found the name of Mil
ly's father To be-to dine, calling at the
hotel for my evening "togs" on the way.
l found the majors house neat quiet
looking little place on the outskirts of the
town. He lived alone with his daughter
his wife being dead-a hpusekeeper and
one servant. Though everything was com
Portable, there was that indescribable air
that gave one the impression that they
were not too well off as regards this worlds
goods.
Since ! was not too well Off either, this
would not have troubled me but for that
legacy of 10, 900 was supposed To have
come in for. WAS that the secret cause
of this sudden friendlinessy' | asked N.Y.
self But when looked at Milly and saw
the frank glance of her truthful, honest
looking eyes | felt ashamed of myself.
Nor when | regarded the major and noted
the open, manly look the fine ola soldier
gave back To me could bring myself To
think Of him rs scheming old fortune
hunter.
Such good friends did we three become
that | fingered on in the place for "a week.
during which time | daily grew more un-
comfortable ~ the part | was playing. At
last sought out Mily one day alone and
confessed the truth To her.
II am not surprised, she said IL
thought you were not much like the
Charley l used To know. But am sorry
for you-sorry To think that your cousin
should have got that 20, 600, while you
were not even 81 much as mentioned "
"Ah" said with sigh, that is
Charlcy's luck and mine Ii is always
the same-always has been and always
will be, ! suppose.
was thinking what / dared not say
that If that "A, 600 had but been mine |
would have asked her to be mine. too.
whereas now, with my poor prospects,
well, of course, it was folly even to dream
Of such thing.
watched her narrowly after that. but
could see no difference i'm her treatment OF
me.
had written to Charley, telling him of
his good fortune, and was going to stay
on down here for "a few days. but beyond a
brief note expressing wonder at whatever
attraction | could see there at that time
Of the year lac had said nothing and writ.
ten no further, not "A word Of thanks or
of reference tn his So 600 legacy
Another veek went by, and / still staid
on. AT the end Of that time | was In such
a state of mind that one day, finding my
self alone with Milly, blurted out my
hopeless love for her and said should 90
away at once, for felt that | could not
possibly stay ON there any longer NIilly.
always quiol aud self POSSESSED remained
silent awhile aud then said, looking down:
"Ithink you had better speak to papa. .
What ! rapturously exclaimed. do
you really bid mo hope, Millyg DO you
really think there is possibility of your
father ~ stopped and shook my head
Alas, nor said. "Sucl thing could
not happen to me. IL would be Charley's
luck, that--nut mine. y
Well, said Milly oomposedly, "they
say you never know your luck till you try.
but IL you are too faint hearted to try, why,
OF course