Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1903-04-16

He set his teeth as he thought OF It.
He would lend 1t now! He would lend
it. and marry Minnie and make his
fortune at leap!
But the money came too late for
Glenny, for when Gordon returned
home that night he was met by his
landlady with the news that he was
i'll in bed with brain fever, and that
the doctor had forbidden his re-
moval.
And he owes me $25 If it's pen
n.y." she cried, land 'ow I'm ever to get
1t l don't know"
Gordon put his umbrella In the stand
mechanically. His thin. yellow face
had changed, and Mrs. Smith had an
uneasy recollection that he had smiled
in the same way when he had seen
man he hated, knocked down and run
over in the street. She looked at him
intentionally, and wished she hadn't
mentioned the bill.
"All the same. Mr.. Glenny's a gen.
tleman," she added. land his poor lit
tie girl"
you leave them to me-" Gordon
said, slowly. "I'll look after them.
How much did you say his bill was
sos? Put 1t on mine next week. Mrs.
Smith; I'll see to IT,
Mrs. Smith stared as he turned
away. She had never yet known Cor
don Clarke to give away anything I'M
less he got back double what he gave,
and now his offer to pay the Glennys'
bill was beyond her comprehension
| altogether. 1t meant mischief Of
some kind, she was positively sure
Of it. She waited for DIR. Seeley's
rat-tat with an odd misgiving at
heart. When 1t came at last she flew
to open the door and faced him
breathlessly.
DR.. Seeley was young and strong,
with a kind, keen face and gray eyes,
and he looked at her now with a
good-humored twinkle in them. for
she always had string Of woes to
relate to him.
ANY more tragedies, Mrs Smith ?"
he asked.
| Mrs. Smith gave sign.
"Lor', no, sir, no more yet-but It
do seem likely rs there may be more'n
we reckon on, SIR"
| "Ohw
Mrs. Smith glanced furtively at the
stairs and edged away to her own
room.
Its about Mr.. Clark. SIR" she said.
He's 4 good lodger-regular in his
habits and all that. but he do seem to
be upsetting Of Miss Minnie"
DR.. Seeley's face looked grave.
"What has Clarke to do with them p
he asked.
"Why, this. SIR" she said. "He's
lent 'em money, sir. never liked Mr..
Clarke. and SEEM that you know
something Of him, and SEEM that he's
tormenting Miss Minnie nearly to
death. thought I'd better tell you"
DR.. Seeley's heart grew oddly heavy
under his thick coat A sudden vision
Of fair. pale face. with wide. fearful
eyes. flashed up before him, and he
sighed again. Yet what had he to do
with Mrs. Smiths dodgers? He was
only the doctor.
what is he worrying her about?"
he asked.
Mrs. Smith shrugged her shoulders.
"Why. marriage, l believe, sir,
though you'd never think 1t. seem as
he's 40 If he's a day, and hard faced
and ugly into the bargain. and she's a.
fresh as daisy when things are all
right, and thought p'raps-p'raps you
might 'elp her bit. SIR"
III Really. l don't know. I'll see.
1t may be nothing-I may not be able
to interfere, and you know you are
always imagining things, Mrs. Smith.
You're true woman"
| Mrs. Smith Curteseyed, not knowing
whether to accept 1t as a compliment
or not. and DR.. Seeley went upstairs.
He went up slowly. with bis head
bent, with that curious vision Of a girl
ish face still before his eyes, and open
ed Mr.. Glenny's sittingroom door.
He opened It so suddenly that Min
| ME, bent face downward in a chair,
had not time to spring to her feet.
She faced him with tears running
| from her eyes. with her handkerchief
crushed In her hand. and attempted to
rise.
"Minnie-Minnie," he cried. what
| Is the matterY'
Her lips trembled.
ut is nothing-I-Oh, DR.. Seeley
| don't look at me like that. shall be
| all right in moment"
| He still held her hands.
Minnie" he cried tell me. Let
me help you. l want to help you.
| want to help you always. Minnie.
| love you. Look into my eyes, darling.
I'm poor man, but you're poor, too.
| or l should never dare to speak, and
| l can only offer you a poor sort of
| home. but l love you. I'll give my
whole life to trying to make you hap
by. darling, II you can bring yourself
| to care a little for me-"
She looked up and the last shred
| Of color fed from her face.
| II can't" she stammered. II can't
last - night - - promised - Mr..
| Clarke"
DR.. Seeley caught his breath.