Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1908-04-16

I
porary use of it?'
impossible ~ his father answered with
sigh ut is so tied up in the will that
she cannot sign it away herself until she
cones Of age. There IS no way of touch
ing it except by her marriage-or by her
death"
Then we must have it by the only
means open to u.s.
And that is?'
Il must marry her."
You will?"
II shall. Here is my hand on It,"
Then we are saved" cried the old man,
throwing up his tremulous hands. Cir
dlestone & Son will weather the storm
yet"
but Grdlestone becomes sleeping
partner" said Ezra. IT'S for my own
sake l do it and not for yours" with
which frank remark he drew his hat down
over his brows and set off for Eccleston
square.
One day, as Thomas Dimsdale was
making his way cityward at rather
earlier hour than was customary with
him, he missed the usual apparition at the
window. Looking round blankly in search
Of some explanation of this absence, he
perceived in the garden pretty white
bonnet which glinted among the leaves.
and on closed inspection a pair of bright
eyes. which surveyed him merrily from
underneath it. The gate was open. st
may be imagined that he was somewhat
late at the office that morning and on
many subsequent mornings. until the
clerks began to think that their new enl-
piover was losing the enthusiasm for
business which had possessed him.
1t CHANGED that one morning the inter-
view between the lovers had lasted rather
longer than usual. and had been concluded
by Kate's returning to the house, while
Tom remained sitting upon the garden
seat lost in such a reverie as affects men
in his position. While thus pleasantly
his thoughts were suddenly re-
called to earth by the appearance OF
dark shadow on the gravel in front of
him, and looking up he saw the senior
partner standing short distance away
and regarding him with anything but an
amiable expression upon his face. He
had himself been having a morning stroll
in the garden, and had overseen the whole
Of the recent interview without the pre-
occupied lovers being aware Of his pres
ence.
Are you coming to the Officer lie
sked sternly, If 80. we can 30 together
Tom rose and followed him out of the
gardens without a word. He knew from
the others expression that all was known
to him, and in his heart he was not sorry.
His only fear was that the old mans
anger might fall upon his ward, and this
he determined to prevent. They walked
side by side as far as the station in com
Dlete silence. but on reaching Fenchurch
street Girdestone asked his young part
1el to step into his private sanctum.
Now, SIR" he said, as he closed the
aoor behind him. II think that l have
light to inquire what the meaning may
Ne of the scene of which l was an invol-
lntary witness this morning"
ut means" Tom answered firmly but
gently, that l am engaged to Miss Hni-
,ton, and have been for some time"
"Oh indeed" Girdlestone answered
oddly, sitting down at his desk and turn
ng over the pile of letters
During the long silent walk the mer-
,hant had been revolving in his mind
What course he should pursue, and he nai
,ome to the conclusion that it was more
.asy to guide this impetuous stream of
youth than to attempt to stem it. he did
lot realize the strength of the tie that
,ound these two young people together
md imagined that with judgment and pa
fence it might yet be snapped. 1t was.
therefore. with as good an imitation of
as his angular visage would per-
nit of that he answered his companions
Confession.
"You can hardly wonder at my being
urprised.'' he sai Such thing never
inferred my mind for mnment. You
n me before
II must ask your pardon for not hav-
ns done So.
"As far as you are concerned" said
[ohn Girdlestone affably, Il believe you
o be hardworking and right principled. |
four conduct since you Joined the firm
las been everything that | could desire"
Tom bowed his acknowledgements. much |
,leased by the preamble.
with regard to my ward" continued |
he senior partner, speaking very slowly |
md evidently weighing his words, II
ould not wish for her TO have a better |
husband In considering such a question |
have, however. as you may imagine, to |
onsult above everything eles the wishes !
# my dead friend, Mr.. John Harston the |
ather of the young lady to whom you say !
.ou are engaged A trust has been repos-
d in me. and that trust must, of course, !
e fulfilled to the letter"
"Certainly." said Tom. wondering in his !
wn mind how be could ever have brought
imself for one moment to think evil of ,
his kindly old man.
1T was one of Mr.. Harston's most
iearly expressed wishes that no words or
ven thoughts of such matters should be
llowed to come in his daughters way un-
il she had attained maturity, by which
e meant the age of one-and-twenty."
but he could not foresee the circum-
tances," Tom pleaded. Il am sure that
year or 50 will make no difference in
er sentiments in this matter"
MY duty is to carry out his instruc-
ons to the letter. | won't say, however"
Mr.. Girdlestone. that circum-
tances might not arise which might in
uce me to shorten this probationary pc
iod. If my further acquaintance with
ou confirms the high Impression which |
of 81 81; Ant |