Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1899-11-30
BRIARSMERE.

-
her own thoughts.
Ralph Underwood was coming that
night to ask her TO be his wife, she
felt sure, for his manner at the Flet-
chers' dance had been unmistakable.
What answer should she give him =?
Could she ever love a man she did not
altogether trust?
All, If only Jack could speak she
knew what answer she would give if
he ever asked the same question, but
Jack never would, now, though years
ago he had shown in hundred little
ways that he loved her.
But that was before his father died,
and Briarsmere was found to be mort
gagged and all the affairs terribly in
and had even undertaken work as I'm
derwood's agent TO pay off the mort
gage, which Ralph held.
ESme was rich, and could do as she
liked with the fortune she had inner
tied from her mother, but was power
less to help Jack because of that UNI
written law that n man is to WOO a
woman to be wooed."
The rain poured down and at last
awoke ESme to Il sense of what was
going on around her
The rain was coming down in tor
rents 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 knowing if Mrs. O'Grady still oc-
cupied the place, or whether she had
already gone to live with her sister in
Kerry.
On trying to lift the latch, Esme
found it locked, but discovered a shell
ter in the peat shed at the back
As she stood there caressing her
horse to allay It's fears, she was star
tied to hear a key fitted into the lock
of the door in front of the house.
The boards of the mud-coyered walls
were ill-ftted 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.
Yes" answered a voice which made
Esme blush in the semi-darlness, at
is Il bad storm, but it viii soon be
over, | am not sorry ii has come now,
as you viii see that something must
be done 30 the place before another
tenant occupies it. 1t isn't tit for n
dog to live ill.,"
II shall do nothing; it's no use
spending money on property of this
kind. These peasants are used to pig
ping it, Leave the place alone"
"That is. of course. your affair, Mr..
Underwood" said Jack. in my posi-
ton as agent it was my duty to point
out to you what was needed. but
cannot make you do IT, Only | tell
you, as man to man. that the neglect
of your tenants interests is n disgrace
to the neighborhOOd. ] have worked
as your agent in order to work off the
mortgage which you hold on my prop
erty, but ! suppose the foreclosure you
threaten must come. for | cannot work
for you any longer and have not mon
ey to redeem the estate
"And, pray. why am | TO lose your
valuable ScryicesW said Underwood,
"You know that during my manage
ment your profits have nearly doubled
but when il comes TO distilling liquors
in underground distilcries and expect
ing me to be a party to the fraud, ]
draw the line"
"How dare you speak like this 10
met said Underwood, choking with
rage. you pauper, if ! had not cm-
ployed you you would have starved"
you are eXaggerating my poverty
said Jack. in calm tone at Is true,
by honest work hoped TO regain my
property, but when you expect dis
honest work, you have come TO the
wrong man"
"By the way" continued Jack, and
Esme could hardly catch his words,
for me was already on the road, Il
have ordered back the pipes and
stills"
1.-THE dickens you have" roared Tn
derwood, as he paced the miserable
room.
a quarter of an hour later Esme
WINS in the coy Office OF her friend and
adviser, Mr.. Rance.
1T is n large sum of money to In
vest In landed property, Miss Esme.'
II know" said the girl, in her quick
bright way, "but what does that mat
teri have ever so much more when
that is spent Besides ] happen tC
know the mortgage viii be foreclosed
if this money is not paid, and / have
other reasons as well
Beauty trotting along in the twilight
was within n mile Of her own warn
stable when she suddenly swerved
from dark figure walking rapidly il
the shadow.
Esme. VINO had been sitting lightly
in the saddle. thinking over her after
Moons work. was taken unawares an(
flung to the ground.