Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1903-04-11
A HARVEST OF BITTERNESS.

On that particular evening in July
there was no happier mortal on earth
than Harold Penstone, unless, indeed it
could nave been Grace Ashford, for as
they strollcd hand in hand across the
downs towards Tower House they
laughed and chartered gayly as two
young children, with never care in the
world.
Grace Ashford was a typical English
beauty. slim and graceful of form. blue
eyed and fair haired, with complexion
that was a blend of red and cream roses;
girl with whom any man might fall
in love, as Harold Penstone had done
from that moment five years before, she
had come to reside at Tower House.
Her seventeenth year was AN eventful
one in her life. for it saw the passing
away almost simultaneously of nurse
and governess, and Immediately after
ward Col. Ashford's regiment was or
lered to India.
SO it came about that she left Lon
Ion. and went to take up her residence
with Mrs Terrell, a very old friend of
the family, in Devonshre, until her
father should return, and in the natural
order Of things met Harold Penstone, to
whom she lost her heart, for he was
true specimen of British manhood, young
and handsome, in whose hands the girl
he loved might safely trust her happi-
ness.
They were not rich the Penstones--
nor for that matter was Col. Ashford
a man of great wealth-still, Harold's
fortune vas sufficient to Justify him in
asking Grace to become his wife, as he
mad done a few months previously. And
she had consented. subject to the ap-
prevail of her father, whose return was
monthly expected.
The day our story opens he had ar
rived in England, and on the morrow
would be with his daughter. That he
would put any obstacle in the way of
her marrying the man she loved she
never for a moment dreamed, for had he
ever refused her slightest wish?
He will be happy with us she had
told Harold time and again; happy, be
cause | am happy in marrying the one
love- and always he had caught her in
his arms ard pressed his lips to hers.
Col. Ashford arrived early next day
He had left his daughter a slip Of girl.
As he held her hands in his for the first
time for five years and gazed into her
face he saw again her mother as when
first he knew her.
1t had been arranged between Grace
and Harold that he was to call and for
mallv ask her fathers consent in the
early evening, and meanwhile she should
break the ice. But after her fathers
Joy at seeing her once more, after his
loving words, it was task she found
harder than she had anticipated.
Harold found Grace with her father
room, and looked somewhat sheepish
when the colonel asked to what he was
indebted for the visit.
u thought Grace would have ex-
planned he answered, ana then added
frankly, "wc arranged it that way"
The colonel looked mystied, first at
his daughter, then at the uneasy young
man who stood nervously lingering his
watch chain
Il don't understand" he explained
But sit down; perhaps Grace will tell
me-"
And she did.
But | know nothing of this young
man, Grace" said her father at length.
"Who he is, what he is, nor even his
name He may"
My name, sir, is Harold Pcnstone,
ard "
The colonel jumped to his feet and
crossed the room to the Young mans
side.
Harold Penstone,' he cried looking
keenly into his face. And your father
was Harold Penstonc. Ell? Harold Pen
stone. of Culvert Rock 2"
Yes. sir, he was
Then, Mr.. PenStonc, my answer is no.
no. Il thousand times. Nv daughter
should never marry you even ii You were
the only man ON earth the colonel
Numbered, II would sooner see her
dead"
lie rose at least l may ask why ?"
he said.
Before my daughters"
There Is nothing ! am ashamed she
should know
Then | will tell YOU your father was
Il chief, sir Is il to the son Of thief
You would have me marry my daugh-
ter?"
For moment Harold could not reply
lie seemed to fail to grasp the full mean
ing OF the colonol's words.
Then he cried suddenly. 1T is a Hcr"
Il cannot be true. father" Grace said.
tears streaming down her face.
IF Your mother has hidden the fact
from You | am not to blame" Col. Ash
ford said. IF she is is still alive ask
her
1T j, lie!" Harold cried again. 81
DO not believe it. And even so, am | to
he blamed ard Kicked fer my fathers
g .tgR l.