Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1905-05-20
A HOLE IN THE WALL
BY z. PLATT.

Tin DSlSUDOFS CdflEu Ulu DIT Illee
Travis a misanthrope and miser.
One warm summers afternoon Sir
Giles was being drawn In his bath chair
across the lawn, thence along narrow
pathway until the wall was reached.
Under the tree there was comfortable
lounge chair, in which, with the help OF
his footman, Sir Giles took his seat.
Push me a little nearer the wall" he
cried, irritably. Now you can CO.
Come back at four o'clock"
The baronet gazed after the footman
until he disappeared among the trees.
He then proceeded to displace stone
near the bottom Of the wall His fingers
CROPPED around, and he gave sigh Of
deep satisfaction.
mo letter. They will come, then"
Twenty years of solitude had left their
marks on his face AS he listened to
the love chatter Of the young couple on
the other side of the wall his face grad
ually softened.
Not always had he been the recluse
and misanthrope. There was no proud.
er and happier man than Sir Giles had
been some 20 years ago. His life and
hopes were conferred in his son Jack, a
fine, manly young fellow, such as would
gladden. any fathers heart.
The quarrel was a sudden one. The
reason--a woman. Hard words were
exchanged, for they were both posses
sors of the Travis temper. A parting
in anger and two months afterward
news came of Jacks death. Not line
or message had been left for his father
The blow was terrible one for Sir
Giles. He closed his heart to all human
sympathy and retired to the seclusiop
of Travis Towers.
A few months afterward he was
stricken with paralysis, and the long
years had been wearisome with suffer-
ing and ennui.
For the last two or three months
new interest had come into his life. The
whole pretty love comedy seemed to
have been, played within earshot.
What did he say?" she asked, eager
ly.
"He refused, absolutely" he an
swered, mournfully.
What reason did he give, Jack?" she
demanded, Indignantly.
"Your guardian told me that was a
your money | was after" he replied,
moodily.
THE wretch! But it doesn't matter.
We can marry without him.
II did not know you had so much
money, dear one. You are rich and
have nothing"
But we have love"
1--WE can't live on that 1t is true |
have my profession, but / have only
Just become doctor, and it is an uphill
game unless one has money to buy a
practice. / have none"
Did he not hold out any hope?" she
asked TREMENDOUSLY.
Yes. He said that If could prove
to him that had practice which would
bring in five hundred year he would
give his consent. l must say that he is
reasonable, but"
will it take you very long to gain
such a practice?"
Years"
Let us marry at once" she cried,
impulsively. 81 don't mind being poor"
'If you marry without his consent
you get none of the money, and l
couldn't let you do that, darling joan"
There was a silence, and Sir Giles
looked irritably at the hole.
Il have made up my mind, dear"
Eyes"
II am going away at once-to-mor-
row. You must forget me. 1t is not
fair to you"
There was a sound of sobbing.
81 can't let you go!" she cried, miser-
ably.
Il will work hard-and--in time, per-
haps-"
The boys voice broke.
Don't go tomorrow. Stay till Satur-
day. 1t is only four days" she asked,
pleadingly.
There was the sound of passionate
farewell, the rustic of leaves, and all
was silence.
Saturday afternoon came, and Sir
Giles looked anxiously at the hole in
the wall. He took large envelope and
placed it in the hole.
They came at last. Their words were
few and their voices tremulous.
The last time, Jack. that we shall
meet here" she said, brokenly.
''In the future, perhaps"
And | shall have no more use for
that dear little hole in the wall, where
have found so many love messages
from my darling" .
She leaned down as she spoke.
Jack, there is a letter here" she
cried, excitedly.
ITO Jack and Joan, with a lonely old
mans love-" she read in wonder.
"Open 1t at once"
With trembling fingers he broke the
seal.
From the other side of the wall there
came hoarse, but gleeful chuckle.
Jack drew legal-looking document