Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1903-07-15

: 0"~ So
8 THE OTHER MANS HOUSE S


rupted.
"Bess. what right had you to de
that?"
"To save father the trouble Of car
ing for them any longer"
"He has nothing to do with it. These
things are mine!"
Her eyes narrowed as she looked at
him. considering the fact that this
rubbish was sent here to our house
- she began, fippantly; then,
where's father?" she burst out.
Hardw;ck walked over and kicked
the andiron Then he came back
again.
''Did Jour father know you were
coming?"
mo. / wanted to surprise him"
"You haven't had any news from
here lately, have your?
MOO Why, Hardwick- She
was beginning to be frightened.
'"Then why have you Gomez"
'I came to be with father. His let
ters have been so queer. And when
ever l asked to come back, he said
no, for me to stay and enjoy myself
as though l could have a good time
any place so we'll as at home with
father" Bess dabbed her eyes fierce
ly. $50 I came on without asking
leave; and then I found that you had
sent all my letters back, just because
" Here Bess suddenly collapsed,
and, sitting down, dropped her head
on the desk. 81 wish you would go
away; you've spoiled my whole home
coming
'Bess!" His voice was startingly
near. He must be bending close above
her. "Why did you refuse to marry
meY
Ell wouldn't have done it if you
hadn't asked me-"
An interval Of bewildered silence.
Then, "supposing were to ask you
again?" he ventured.
''But you sent back my letters and
lot of other things I didn't even know
you had" came an injured voice from
among the notepaper confusion Of the
desk
~ sent none Of those things back;
but can't explain until we are en-
gagged"
She looked at the floor.
Hardwick waited; then he pulled out
his watch and handkerchief. 'Tll give
you one minute more" he said, DELHI
erately. IF by that time you haven't
said you will, shall consider 1t DONE"
Bess wheeled around and stared at
the watch with fascinated eyes.
'Half minute gone" he said.
"I-I-oh, I-Hardwick, put up that
watch!" she ordered desperately.
''All right. Now I'm going to dry
your eyes oh, that's orthodox; en-
gagged people always do-and you are
not to be frightened at what | am go
ing to say. You see, there really is no
cause for worry; it's going to turn out
all right. Why, In three years he'll
pull out as good as new! But last
spring, what with stocks going down.
and the mines, things looked pretty
black. He's been up at the mines for
the last six months-and, Bess, the
house had to 60"
''The house? This house?"
eyes, your father had to sell it. You
see, there was a mortgage on 1t, and
enormous interest
ooh, Hard"
"But I bought it in"
"Oh-h"
Because we couldn't have strangers
living in the old home, could we, Bess ?
And now"
mo" Bess shook herself free and
pressed her hands to her cheeks. "You
mean we're poor-I'm poor!'
'Poor? Owning me?"
"Don't laugh. can't be engaged to
you now!'
4 "But you are" he laughed.
"But / refused you when thought
I was rich"
Sweetheart" he whispered, draw
ing her close, II thought you would
feel that way; that's why I wanted you
to promise before you knew"
sBut"
"What difference does it make?
There's only one thing = aren't you
sorry you pried into my things and
tore up the pink sunbonnet?"
Haif an hour later, when Hardwick
was taking her over to Aunt Annie's
for the night, Bess confessed that she
was.-New York News.
Age OF Crimina1ity.