Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1897-04-01

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Mr." "Topmark was nero hopeful when
he saw Fob, white and heavy eyed. She
mnde no pretonse Of greeting, but went
straight at the heart of things. II want
money, 5,O00," she said. "You know
what for. Will you let me havo it and
take the land for it when it comes to be
mine?'
"Well, you see, IS. 900 is er heap er
money. CT mighty heap er money" Mr..
Topmark answered slowly. 1T would
bo the wust sort er thing fer my busi-
ness ter sink that much in or remainder
in trus'. Bat tEon thar amt nothin
hardly won't try ter do ter 'blige good
neighbors. Fact is, been tryin ter jew
down that thar lawyer. l told him he
hadn't no conscience whatever
$50 he said," Rob broke in. Excuse
me, but l am no anxious. "Mr. Top
mark, please say simply yes or no. If
you cannot oblige me. / must try else
where. / sent for you because I know
you have ready money. Besides the
place lies no it is wo.th more to you
than most people,"
Eyes, I'm bound ter say it is," Mr..
Topmnrk admitted impartially, with
the air of ono comforting favor. but,
you sec, er remainder in trus'- l amt
meanin the least disrespec', Miss Rob.
know your words better'n er bond.
But the place won't be yours till the ole
gentleman's gone. S'posin you died
first"-
"You shal, not suppose such thing" "
Rob said. with quick shivcr ITO do
it would be to deny the mercy Of God, I
shall live to take caro- Of him. will do
it in spite Of everything. What you
have said. though, shows me the case is
hopeless, 70 far as it concerns you. I can
only beg your pardon for having trou-
bled you"
"You know II amt no trouble, not
the least Why. Miss Rob, I'd do jest
anything fer you an glad or the chance"
Mr.. Topmark said eagerly. "Now, don't
you fret an think you're Roin ter be
turned out er house an home That
shan't never happen while Ben Top
marks yours ter command"-
"Excuse me. You must know can
not accept any but such help as may
come strictly in the way Of business"
Rob said. her eyes beginning to shine.
"Forgive me if seem bold. Mr.. Top
mark, but I must say in justice to my
self that in thus applying to you took
account not Of your gallantry, but Of
your we'll known shrewdness. am Of
fering you for S., 900 what know you
want very much and otherwise would
not get ut all. y
"You mean jest Roscoe, s'poee,"
Mr.. Topmark said. grinning. II do
want it, Miss Rob, but. Lord, not half,
not or hundredth part. as bad as I want
you. Now. don't you try ter stop me-
You sent fer me- remember. I got er
right ter speak. / know you don't keer
nothin in the world erbout me, an I'm
or fool ter keep on arter you like I do. I
amt no handsome young sprig ter take
your fancy. Neither I amt er p'ison
snake. So you jest say you'll eben con-
slider me, an pledge you my word you
shan't have no mo- trouble with this
yere rascally gang
"Thank you. but that is wholly i'm
possible" Rob said, a deep scarlet stain
ing her pallid face, 80 impossible.
she went OH, 1--WE will forget what you
have said"
"What makes it impossible7" Top
mark asked doggedly.
Rob shivered fnintly, then drew back,
saying, 1.-The fact that Inn myself and
you yourself
"You' re the only woman round yere
! couldn't have fer the askin, Mr.. Top
mark began in his most aggrieved voice.
In spite of her deep trouble, Rob broke
into laugh aud answered Rayly: II
have not the least doubt Of it. Dear Mr..
Topmark do 80 and take ono of them.
You don't know how guilty l shall feel
if think myself the occasion OF so ex-
cellent husband going to waste
Her laughing provoked Mr. Topmark
beyond words, more than even her stead
fast refusal of himself. She could thus
whistle him and his money down the
wind with ruin staring her i'll the face.
1t must be she did not realize what she
was about. He had spoken fair words.
Now ne must try what virtue lay in
rough ones.
"You say you love your ole father"
he began. THAR won't he many ter be-
lieve that when they see him in the
poorhouse All know you could er kept
him out er it.
"Perhaps," Rob said, though she got
white to the lips. "But it seems to me,
Mr.. Topmark, we had better say no
more. We are not likely to agree. and it
is utterly foolish to quarrol."
1--WE must agree on somethin or else
It'll be the wust days work was ever
done fer you an him." Mr. Topmark al
most shouted. lyon think, reckon,
other help will come. tell you it
won't, it shan't. I can give you er
name as will shet every door in the
county in your face. Now, take your
cboice-be my wife. have all that life
kin give or else the road an the world
lookin at You az the dust under its feetl
Choose quick too You We tried me long
enough"
"Choioe is impossible. Rob said. her
face white and scornful, "since nothing
else OH earth could be to me 20 hard, 80
degrading, SO entirely unbearable, as
even the contemplation for one minute
Of being your wife"
Mr.. Topmark swung upon his heel
and came face to face with Aunt Phemy.
who had been standing just outside tho
grape arbor throughout the interview.
The old woman was still sueechless.