Middletown transcript., 1898-02-12

selected chairs and relapsFd into com
Portable attitudes. You are III tronbl
i'm trouble faneially, eh? knew il
and you will find i; IN your advantag
| to be plain with me-"
hardly knew how to express my
self, and confessed lamply enough tha
| was more or less on my las! legs. IL
continued without comment:
"You are also, l lhirk, in love VII
Oracle. Is it not sn?''
ut is qnite true, Mr.. Sharp"
''Then why don't you marry herP'
My companion gazed into my face
a comical smile playin about bis lips
His bluntness positively amazed me.
81 fear that what cannot support on
would be poor living for two," salt
after moments thought. "If | coul,
afford to marry your neice, l woult
gladly do so tomorrow"
"YOu mean thatp"
"Most certainly d.. I love her,
He arose from his chair and stood
beside me, looking into my eyes stead
lily.
"ListeD, Hard man. Oracle is lad!
by birth and education. She is also al
good girl as ever breath6'1. She ha'
no relations in the world saving myself
and l may have t. leave her at any tim'
have made inquiries about you, ani
know your prst to be clean one
Given helping hand at the start, yor
would succeed at the finish. Tell me
how much would you require to buy q
good practice or to start in a fair way
against ordinary oppasitionP"
was becoming more and mnre aston
ished. Was the man going to adop
me?
ut would be possible to do the thing
decently for e3. 900, would it notP" ht
said presently, for | had felt to-
taken aback to volunteer any sugges
tions. He waited for reply.
81 could go into partnership with al
old friend of my father for less thai
that" answered. ''Dr. Jordan offer
ed to give me share for 81 500 wheI
passed my final, but could not flint
the capital"
"Where does Jordan live?"
"In Birmingham"
"Is the practice good one and cal
you trust him2"
"There is no boubt about the prac
tice, and Jordon is an excellent fel
low, an old bachelor. and if he had no
lost lot of money when we did In tn
same concern would have been ricl
man to-day.
Sharp laid heavy hand on N,
shoulder.
go and ask Grace to marry you," b.
said in low voice. II am sure that sh
" ill do SO. On your wedding day will
give her 81, 900. and 1 will give yol
So, 900 tomorrow, with which you car
settle your affairs here and arrang
with jordan, the condition being tina
you ask no questions and undertake t
marry this month.
"But, Mr.. Sharp" l cried, 'sucl
magnanimity, I''-
$50 and ask Oracle"
He pointed to The door, waving asidI
my remonstrance, and l followed thu
direction Of his finger as one in dream
That evening left Rosa Villa tht
bridegroom elect of Grace Fairleigb
and with check for $4,000 in my
coat pocket.
The wedding passed off very quietly
Only fortnight had elapsed since ny
queer interview with Mr.. Sharp, but il
that short time a marvellous change
had taken place in my affairs. hat
purchased share of DR.. JOrdan's prac
tice in Birmingham, had cleared myself
of debt and was now the happy hus
band Of the beautiful girl loved.
l could scarcely believe it all. Why
had this mysterious Sharp done so muct
for me2 l was soon to BE- enlightened.
The breakfast was over. The com
pany had consisted of Oracle, her un
Gle and myself. We had entertained
no wedding guests. My wife had gone
up stairs to prepare for our departure.
We were going to Paris for u fortnight
and then should proceed to Bilming
ham, our new home.
81 want to speak TO you, Hardman, D
said Sharp. eve will go into the
study"
He took my arm and we strolled in
to his snuggery.
"You think 1 have been very good tc
you, then?" He was leaning back il
an arm chair and smoking the stuml
of half finished cigar. "Well, whI
have been good to your"
He paused, and said that l coult
not tell.
81 have been good to you for Gracie''
sake. 1 have been looking out for I
husband for her for some time, but il
our position it was not an easy task.
required man could trust, gentle
man by birth and nature, one wht
would love her and be good to her, ont
who had no meddlesome relatives to
interfere or advise. 1 think l hav
been successful"
/ assured him that should do all
could to justify his selection. He nod
ded and went on speaking:
81 had no friends. Although [ had