The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-08-27
A PRISONER OF WAR.

the half year. I'll 60 there myself and
get the money, or III know the rea-
son WHY"
Mr.. Matthew Deane was in particular
ly bad humor this raw December
morning. Everything had gone wrong.
Stocks had fallen when they ought
to have risen-his clerk had tipped
over the inkstand on his special and
peculiar heap Of psper-the fire OBJ
stinately refused to burn In the CRATE
in short, nothing went right, and Mr..
DeaGe was consequently and CORE
spondingly cro0s.
"Jenkins!"
Eyes, sir!"
go to the Widow Clarkson's, and
tell her l shall be there in half an
hour, and expect conhdently-mind,
jenkins, confidently to receive that
rent money. Or else shall feel my
self obliged to resort to extreme meas
ures. You understand, Jenkins?"
Certainly, SIR"
"Then don't stand there starin' like
an idiot" snarled Mr.. Deane, in a sud
den burst Of irritation; and Jenkins
disappeared like skot.
Just half an hour afterwards, Mr..
Matthew Deane brushed the brown
hair just sprinkled with gray away
from his square YET not unkindly
brow; putting on his fur-lined over
coat he walked forth into the chilly
winter air fully determined, figurate-
ly, to annihilate the defaulting Widow
Clarkson.
1t was a dwarf1sh little red brick
house which appea.ed originally to
have aspired to two-s toryhood lot, but
cramped by circumstances had settled
down into story and half; but the
windows shone like Brazilian pebbles,
and the doorsteps ware worn by much
securing. Neither Of these circum-
stances, however, did Mr.. Deane re-
mark as he pulled the glittering brass
door knob. and strobe into Mrs. Clark
sons neat parlor.
There was small fire-very small,
as II every lump Of anthracite was
boarded In the stove, and at a table
with writing implements before her,
sat young lady whom Mr.. Deane at
once recognized as Mrs. Clarkson's
niece, Miss Olive Mellen. She was not
disagreeable to look upon, though you
would never have thought of CHASING
her among the beauties, with shining
black hair, blue, long dashed eyes, and
very pretty mouth, hiding teeth like
rice kernels, so white were they.
Miss Mellen rose with polite nod,
which was grimly reciprocated by Mr..
Deane.
81 have called to SIZE your aunt, Miss
Mellen."
II know 1t, sir, but as I am aware
away. prefer to deal with you my
SELF
Mr.. Deane started the cool audacity
Of this damsel in gray, with scarlet
ribbons in her hair, rather astonished
him.
II suppose the money is ready"
mo, sir. 1t is not"
"Then, Miss Olive, pardon me, I must
speak plainly. I shall send an officer
here this afternoon to put valuation
on the furniture, and"
You will do nothing of the kind, |
SIR"
olives cheek had Redeemed and her
eyes flashed portentously. Mr.. Deane
turned toward the door, but ere he
knew what she was doing, Olive had
walked quietly across the room. locked
he door, and taken 4out the key--then
she resumed her seat.
What does this mean" calculated
he astonished prisoner Of war"
1T means, sir, that you will now be
obliged to reconsider the question:"
laid Olive.
"Obliged?"
"Yes-you will hardly jump out of
he window, and there is no other
method of egress unless you choose to
20 up the chimney. Now, then, Mr..
)eane, will you tell me If you-a
Christian man in the nineteenth CEN
ury-intend to sell poor Widows
urniture, because she is not able to
'ay your rent? Listen, sir!"
Mr.. Deane had opened his mouth to
emonstrate, but Olive enforced her
words with very emphatic little
lamp of the foot, and he was, as it
we're, stricken dumb.
You are what the world calls rich
nan, Mr.. Deane. You own rows Of
ouses, piles Of bank stock, railroad
hares, bonds and mortgages-WhO
nows what? My aunt has nothing
support her by copying. Now, if this
ase be carried into court of law, my
DOR ailing aunt will be a sufferer-you
'oud emerge unscathed and profting.
GU are not bad man, Mr. Deane;
on have great many noble qualities,
nd like you for them"
She paused an instant, and looked
ltently and gravely at Mr.. Deane.
he color rose to his cheek-it was not
sagreeable to be told by a pretty
oung girl that she liked him, on any
rms, yet she had INDUCED in pretty
ain speaking.
Il have heard" she went on, "of
our doing kind actions when you
ere in the humor Of it. You can do
em, and you shall in this instance.
Oh are cross this morning, you know
~ are! Hush, no excuse; you are
fish and irritable and overbearing!
l were your mother, and you lit
? boy, should certainly put you in
corner until you promised to be
od."
Mr.. Deane smiled, although he was
ting angry. Olive went on with the
most composure.
But as it is, shall only keep you
re prisoner until you have be-
we'd, and given me your word not to l
noy my aunt again for rent, until
e is able to pay you. Then, and not
til then, will you receive your mon
Do you promise? Yes or MOI" G
Il certainly shall agree to no such
MS" said Mr.. Deane, tartly.
Very well, sir, l can wait" /
Miss Mellen deposited the key in the c
cket Of her grey dress, and sat down
her copying. Had she been a man,
;. Deane would probably have Il
ocked her down--as it was, she wore
invisible armor Of power in the
" fact that she was fragile,
yht woman, and she knew it. :,
Miss Olive" he said, sterniy, "let r
terminate this mummery. Unlock n
It door," n
Mr.. Deane, will not" E
I shall shout and alarm the neigh Ia
hood, then, or call policeman" n
Very we'll, Mr.. Deane, do so, if you II
ase." -
The dipped her pen in the ink and d