Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1902-10-03

1
The young girl drew the sheet from
the machine and, bringing it forward,
laid it on the old mans desk. Abel
glanced it through.
"a beautiful copy" he said, and knit
his brows.
The girl at the end Of the desk ex.
tended her hand.
"If you have no objection" she quiet.
ly said, II will deliver it to him in per.
son."
The old man looked up at the fair
face bending over him.
"Why, who are you?" he cried.
81 am Alice Mitchell" said the young
girl.
"Mitchell?" repeated Abel DULY.
'M-my sons wife? And what"
But the ugly words would not come.
He could not utter them in the light
of those gentle eyes.
"Will you be seated?" he lamely
added.
Thank you-no," said the girl 81
have but a few words to say. They
will not detain you long"
Abel's gaze droppel to the letter and
the will, and q sarcastic smile twisted
| his mouth.
mo, no." the girl quickly added. 81
have not come to plead with you. You
| are quite wrong to imagine such a
| thing. And you were quite wrong. too,
to insult me as you did in that letter."
He looked Up again quickly. There
were tears in the gentle eyes. And
there was CLINT of fire in them, too.
you insulted me. and you insulted
my dear father 1 have no mother"
She paused moment.
when you insinuated that my father
was mercenary in this matter you did
him cruel wrong. He was bitterly
opposed to our marrying without your
consent. 1 disobeyed my father, too.
But it was not FOR your money. This
letter will bring us no surprise"
The old man dropped his eyes be-
meath the reproachful gaze.
Perhaps 1 am hasty," he slowly
said, "but the proyocation was great"
Then he added quickly: But know
ing as you did that l opposed the we'd
ding, and your father opposed, 1t, too,
why did you permit yourself to marry
my boy?"
Il could make it clear to you,
think" said the girl gently, "if you
loved your boy"
The old man trembled. If he loved
his boy. All that was near and dear
to him-all that was left to him of kith
and kin. The babe that dying wife
had solemnly placed in his paternal
arms. If he loved his boy! He drew a
long breath and stared hard at the
blank envelope on the desk before him.
"And now," said the young girl, 81
only want to add that 1 think Jim was
quite wrong in crossing your wishes.
He might have waited. l wanted him
to wait. But he is so proud-so self
willed. l am very sorry that I should
be the means of separating you, and l.
| am quite sure 1 am not worth the
great sacrifice my dear-my husband
has made"
Abel was quite sure there were tears
in her eyes again, but he did not look
up.
"Where is Jim now?" he asked. Then
he smiled grimly. And why are you
not enjoying your your wedding
tour"
There was a vacancy in the bank
where my father is employed" said the
girl, 'and father secured it for Jim.
His duties began to-day. Perhaps we
will take our wedding journey later.
We have to look out carefully for the
main chance now. you know"
and you didn't expect to fall back
on my sovereigns," said the old man.
Not a penny of Them" quickly re.
piled the girl.
The old man fidgeted in his chair.
And why not?" he asked
Il think you understand" said the
girl, and her gaze dropped to the letter
on the desk.
Does Jim know you are here"
"No. AT least he didn't know was
coming. Father will tell him to meet
me at the corner at o'clock. l must
60"
Wait" said the old man quickly.
He looked at her searchingly. She met
his gaze with a smile. Her mind was
on Jim.
Abel deliberately put the will back
in its envelope and the envelope in its
pigeonhole. Then he picked up the
letter in its unaddressed envelope tore
it into minute particles and tossed them
into the waste-paper basket.
I've changed my mind" he softly
muttered
He pulled down his desk cover with
a bang and reached for his hat.
There" he said, I'm ready" Then
he added; "Will you give me your
arm, my dear"
As they passed through the doorway
he paused.
Il think. Alice" he said, "that you