The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1897-08-20

| l 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 her?"
My companion gazed into my face, n
comical smile playing about his lips.
His bluntness positively amazed me.
II fear that what cannot support
one would be poor living for two"
I said, after moments thought. If
l 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 a,.y time.
l have made inquiries about you, and
| know your past to be clean one.
| Given a helping hand at the start, you
would succeed ut the finish. Tell me,
how mach would you require to buy a
good practice, or to start in a fair way
against ordinary opposition?"
was becoming more and more aston
ishcd. Was the man going to adopt
me?
1T would be possible to do the thing
decently for 6 5000, would it not?" he
said, presently, for had felt too taken
aback to volunteer any suggestion. He
waited for IL reply.
II could go into partnership with an
old friSnd of my father for less than
that" l answered. "Dr. Jordan offered
passed my final, but l could not find
the capital"
Where does Jordan live"
I'm Birmingham"
rs the practice a good one, and can
you trust him?"
There is 10 doubt about the prac-
tice, and Jordan is IN 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 shoul-
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
1 will give her C 5000, and 1 will give
you G2,COO 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" cried, "such mag
nanimity, /"
go and ask Gracie''
lie pointed to the door, waving aside
my remonstrance, and I followed the
direction of his finger as one in a dream.
That evening left Rose villa the bride
groom-elect of Grace Farleigh, and with
IA check for 1000 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. l had
purchased a share of DIR. Jordan's prac-
ticc in birmingham, had cleared my
self of debt and was now the happy
husband of the beautiful girl 1 loved
| l could scarcely believe it all. Why
had this mysterious Sharp done so
much for me? I 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-
ceed 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 half-fin-
ished cigar.
well, why have 1 been good to you?"
He paused, and l said that could not
tell.
| II have been good to you for Gracie's
sake. l have been looking out for a
husband for her for some time, but in
our position it was not an easy task
l required a man 1 could trust, gem
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"
1 assured him that should do all
could to Justify his selection. He
nodded. and went on speaking:
II had no friends; although had
some money, it was not easy to find the
man l wanted who would marry her,
having only my word for her past and
knowing nothing of my career; who
would marry her without asking ques-
tions, as you have done. heard about
you, as n struggling practitioner, new
ly started; took stock of you, as have
taken stock of others. who were found
wanting in some of the qualities l re-
quired. I made inquiries about your
past. and then took you on trial. You
have satisfied me, and l don't think you
will regret the step you have taken"
told him that 1 was more than sat.
isfed.
81 am glad to hear it," he said. And
now you must promise me that Oracle
shall never know what 1 am going to
tell YOU"