The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1899-05-06
4 SSIrE BARTON, as she rode along
- N her trusty little cob, paid no
I heed to the weather, so absorbed
las she in her own thoughts.


heed to the weather, so absorbed
las she in her own thoughts.
RaIrh Underwood vas coming that night
TO ask her to be his wife, she felt sure, Tor
his manner at the Fletchers' dance had
been unmistakahle.
What answer should she give him =?
Could she ever love a man she did not
altog ether trust?
All e only Jack could speak she knew
what answer she would give it he ever
asked tho same question, but Jack never
would, now, though years ago he had
shown in a hundred little ways that he
loved her.
But that was before his father died, aud
Briarsmere was found to he moItgaaed and
all tine a.fairs terribly involved. 50 row
JACK YES q poor man, and had even under
taken work as Cuderwood's agent to pay
Of the mortgage, which Ralph held.
Fsng vas rich, and could do as she
LIKED wi.a the fortune she had Inherited
from her mother, but was powerloss to help
Jack because of that unwIitten law that
"a maa is to WOO, a woman to be wooed."
The lain poured down and at last awoEe
Esme to sense OF what was going ON
around her.
The rain poured down in torrents and
an ominous roll of thunder IN the distance
made Beauty tremble.
1t was lonely part of the road only
little cabin much out Of repair, was in
sight She fastened toward it, not know
ing if Mrs O'Grady still occupied the
place or whether she had already gone to
live with her sister in Kerry.
On trying to lift the latch, Esme found
it was locked, but discovered a shelter in
the peat shed at the back.
As size stood there caressng her horse to
1llay it's fears, she was startled to hear q
kew fitted into the lock of the door in front
OF the house.
The boards of the mud covered walls
were i'll fitted and rotten, and Esme could
distinctly hear two men talking as they
entered and shook the water from their
clothes.
"a good thing we are here so near the
place, " said Underwood.
eyes" answered voice which made
Esme blush in the semi-darkness, cit is a
bad storm, bat it will soon be over. | am
not sorry it has come nov, az you will see
something nv done TO the place be-
fore another tenant occupies it. 1t ism {
tit for a dog to live in
81 shall do nothing; it's no use spend
ing money on property Of this kind. These
place alone.
THAT is, of course, your affair, Mr.
Underwood, " said jack. In my pos tior
as agent it was my duty 30 point out tt
you what was needed, bat ! cannot make
you do il. Only tell you az man to man
that tn" neglect of your tenants interests
is /. disgrace to the neighb0rho0d. have
worked as your agent in order to work Of
the mortgage which you hold on my
property, bat suppose the foreclosure yor
threatened must come, fog cannot worl
for you any longer and have no money t.
redeem the estate.
And pray why am to lose your valua
bic seryices?' said Underwood.
"Yor know thar during my manage
ment your profits have nearly doubled, bu
when it comes to distllng liquors il
underground distillenes and expecting nj
to be party to the fraud, draw the line >
GLOW dare you speak like this to meH
said Underwood, choking with rage. "Yor
paupe., if | had not employed you, yor
would have starved"
"Non are ezeggelatng my poverty,
said lack in calm tone. at is true, by