Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1897-06-24

"You are looking gloomy tonight
Hardman," he remarked, after we had
selected chairs and relapsed into COM
Portable attitudes. "You are in trouble
in trouble financially, Ell? know it,
and you will find it to your advantage
to be plain with me-"
| I hardly knew how to express my.
self, and confessed lamely enough that
I was more or less on my last legs. He
continued, without comment:
"You are, also, think, in love with
Oracle. Is it not SOP"
"It is quite true, Mr.. Sharp"
''Then why don't you marry herr"
My companion gazed into my face, q
comical smile playing about his lips.
His bluntness positively amazed me.
81 fear that what cannot support
one would Zoe poor living for two,'
I said, after a moments thought. "It
1 could afford to marry your niece,
would gladly do SO tomorrow"
"You mean that?"
"Most certainly do. love her."
He arose from his chair and stood be-
side me, looking into my eyes steadily
Listen, Hardman. Oracle is lady
by birth and education, she is also as
good girl as ever breathed. She has
no relations in the world saving myself
and l may have to leave her at any time
| / have made inquiries about you, and
know your past to be clean one
Given helping hand at the start, you
would succeed at the finish. Tell me,
how much would you require to buy a
good practice, or to start in fair way
| against ordinary opposition?'
was becoming more and more aston
me?
| 1T would be possible to do the thing
deccntly for 6 5000, would it not?" he
said, presently, for had felt too taken
aback to volunteer any suggestion. He
waited for a reply.
II could go into partnership with an
old friend of my father for less than
that" / answered. "Dr. Jordan offered
to give Inc share for &C 1900, when
passed my final but could not find
the capital"
"Where does Jordan ive?'
| SIN Birmingham"
"Is the practice a good one, and can
you trust him?"
There is no doubt about the prac-
tice, and Jordan is an excellent fellow
an old bachelor, and if he had not lost
a lot of money when we did, in the same
concern, would have been a rich man
to-day"
Sharp laid heavy hand on my Shout
der.
go and ask Oracle to marry you,'
he said, in low voice. 81 am sure that
she will do so. On your wedding day
| will give her 6 5000, and l will give
you $4,000 tomorrow, with which you
can settle your affairs here and arrange
with Jordan, the condition being that
you ask no questions and undertake
to marry this month"
"But, Mr.. Sharp" 1 cried, "such mag
nanimity, /"
~Go and ask Oracle"
He pointed to the door, waving aside
my remonstrance, and I followed the
That evening left Rose villa the bride
groom-elect of Grace Farleigh, and with
a check for 6 $4,000 in my coat pocket.
The wedding passed off very quietly
Only fortnight had elapsed since my
queer interview with Mr.. Sharp, but
in that short time a marvellous change
had taken place in my affairs. had
purchased a share of DR.. Jordan's prac-
ticc in Birmingham, had cleared my
self of debt and was now the happy
husband of the beautiful girl loved.
I could scarcely believe it all. Why
had this mysterious Sharp done so
much for me? 1 was soon to be en-
lightened. The breakfast was over.
The company had consisted of Oracle,
her uncle and myself; we had enter
tanned no wedding guests. My wife
had gone upstairs to prepare for our
departure. We were going to Paris
for fortnight, and then should pro-
coed to Birmingham, our new home.
II want to speak with you, Hard
man." said Sharp. "We will go into the
study"
He took my arm and we strolled into
his snuggery.
"You think I have been very good to
you. then?"
He was leaning back in an arm chair
and smoking the stump of a half-fn-
ished cigar.
"Well, why have been good to you?''
He paused, and 1 said that could net
| tell.
81 have been good to you for Gracie's
sake. I have been looking out for a
husband for her for some time, but in
our position it was not an easy task
1 required a man I could trust, a gen
tleman by birth and nature, one who
would love her and be good to her, one
who had no meddlesome relations to in,
terfere or advise. I think have been
successful"
assured him that should do all
could to Justify his selection. He
nodded. and went on speaking:
IL had no friends; although I had
some money, it was not easy to find the