Middletown transcript., 1905-04-29

fsame, and with no nasty troublesome
questions OF undue influence afterwards
Marry her offhand, my boy, and ther
spring her on the old dotard as his daugh
ter. I know where the marriage-lines
are, if proof is needed to make things
right and tight"
j Fred pushed his chair back noisily.
"What if she says 'No'?'' he asked
with an uneasy laugh.
"Nop' raped out the old man. "'No'
to face and figure like yours, and neat
little income such as a schoolmistress'
mouth 'ud water at r.
"You forget that she must know hel
antecedents.
"What's the use of knowing your
antecedents if you cam. prove them? 1t
was Sir Nathaniel's pretty trick to spite
Mrs. Molly for her tantrums by keeping
the marriage lines. If she refuses you,
bribe her with giving her what a woman
most needs-ler own clean name-and
tell her that you'll make things hot for
her if she sets up a claim which she
can't prove. She'll come round sharp
enough. That young woman is all pride
from head to toe. Hurt her pride, COW
it. and she'll give in like shot. Moth
ing like masterful hand with woman,
provided there's no third party"-and he
laughed-"no third party to look OH and
gibe"
Fred turned away suddenly and walked
to the window his fathers eyes followed
him doggedly.
''Now look here, young man." said
Richard in slow acrid voice, You have
wormed secret out of your guvnor's
pocket on false pretences. / don't say
| don't approve of your 'cuteness but,
unless you make use Of that secret for
your own ends, disown you tomorrow.
Your hand on it now that you'll begin
your wooing. You like her, she likes
you. Pick up your courage, and don't
affect any tomfoolery of mock modesty
when there's the dickens to pay if you
turn back. When will you begin? A
Parsons with scruples and squeamishness
It's sickly sight to my thinking
Fred left the window slowly. After a
minutes pause, he said
"We may as well shake hands on the
bargain. I've no intention of getting out
of it. She's worth carload of trouble.
And | am ambitious"
"Bless you for speaking sense at last
And remember that you are the finest set
up fellow in the countryside-six foot
one in your socks-with jolly way about
you that ought to melt the hardest heart"
'It's not Reg Moncrieff's way though"
said Fred, staring at himself in the glass.
reg Moncrieff Does he stand in
your way?"
"He gives her books"
'Oh, that's a snivelling trick But
give her books too, though I'll be bound
a woman cares more for sporting gent
who can shoot straight and always be in
at the finish than girlish bookworm
with his nose buried in papers. You're
miles ahead, Freddy, Of that pink strip
ling"
Reg is bigger rival than You guess"
said Fred "but it must be soon."
Accordingly it was no later than the |
morrow that he dressed with care, put |
rose in his buttonhole, and went to see
Miss Earle.
She was wearing her cloak and hat
when she opened the door for him, and |
she started when she saw who her visitor
was. She had been forming her plans
for the future, and feverishly wondering
how soon it would be possible for her to
discontinue her intimacy with Fred Par
sons. She did not intend to make any
great change in her life at present, for
she had settled happily into her place at
Cranleigh. Some day before very long,
she would 60 to the Vicar and tell him
everything. She would ask his advice,
and act as justice and fairness bade her
act. At present, she did not want to
move. She was afraid of publicity, and
she dreaded the wrath of that relentless
old man at the Hall. She feared that be
would snatch her prize from her and send
her back on the cold world forlorn and
scorned, that he would declare that the
precious paper Of which she had obtained
possession was forgery or hoax.
"You are going out ?'' Fred asked.
"Yes," she said.
MAY walk with you little way? III
want to ask if may sometimes send YOU
the books which l get from the Pack
more Library. I'm not as much of a
reader as | ought to be-guns and horses
are more in my line-but I'd like to show
myself friendly to those"
"It's very kind of you," she interposed
hastily. 81 am only going to Cranleigh
Farm for some eggs
"I'll come and carry the basket" he
aid readily.
So they set off. Parsons had few OF
he instincts of gentleman, and was ,
wise enough not to startle her by any :
personalities on the way. Therefore, it
vas not until they had left the farm and +
we're nearing the village again that he
aid suddenly
We've seen good deal Of each other
n the last six months, Miss Earle-so
much that don't like tn face tho tborobt