The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1917-12-06
| The Old |
| Corral
| Wall |
BY Addison Howard Gibson

| uOi htuaH WHO uau uhtttu btloIt HNl
She had recently returned home, a
graduate from the University OF Call.
fornia, and TO her dismay learned that
her father. without consulting her,
had mortgaged the ranch TO this man,
In order TO secure funds TO keep her
III school To be under obligations TO
Ralph Barden, OF all men. was to the
girl most annoying.
He was a short. stout man OF mid
die age, with red face and small
shrewd eyes. Periodically and with
Irritating persistence he had sought
the girls hand In marriage ever since
she was l6. She was now 81. and her
youthful dislike had grown with her
years. II was not so much that his
personality was repugnant. but she
knew II was through scheming and by
taking mean and unfair advantage
OF neighbors with less business dis
oernment than his own that he had be
come the richest man In the Black
Bear mountains.
You'll regret your refusal when It's
too late" he was saying. I've made
my offer for the last time-tbe very
last"
But l cannot marry you, Mr.. Bar
den," she returned. Il have told you
that | do not love you"
"Iove." he exclaimed, sarcastically,
"All bosh! Silly sentiment" Then he
added tauntingly, Il suppose you are
still In love with Rex Linwood. and
hope to attract him with your high
airs and college training"
The flush that suffused Hopes face
showed that his supposition came very
near the truth. He continued.
But Linwood has grown too impor.
tant to look at poor folks. since he was
made superintendent at the Red
knight Mining Company. He's paying
attention to Mrs. Cary. the rich and
handsome widow Of Capt James Cary.
She is large stakeholder In the Red
Knight and well. Rex always was An
tUDllIOuS IellOW.
The girl was still silent and he went
on: You see how things are In that
quarter, and III give you till Satur-
day--no longer--to think ovA my pro-
rosal. Then, ii you are still obstinate.
the mortgage will be foreclosed. 1t is
overdue and your father has not kept
up even the interest. shall not ex-
tend the time or show any favor un.
less / have your promise"
Surely, Mr.. Barden," pleaded Hope.
''you won't foreclose on US SO soon.
Wait little and / will pay the inter-
est myself; | will even pay higher
rate. | am to teach in the Union
High School In the fall and can easily
save what interest is due by Christ
mas. Father Is not to blame. Mother
has been Ill for long time and seems
worse today. and they are both dis
couraged. II you foreclose ! dread
the result All they possess is right
here and the old place Is very dear
to them. They have lived on this |
ranch ever since they came to Call. |
forpia, a young married couple. You |
surely cannot have the heart to take |
II from them, You will wait, won't |
your"
Only till Saturday. Hope" he re
Piled. IF you love your parents as you
pretend to, and want them to keep the
ranch, you know how 1t may be done"
lie rode away, leaving the girl to
brood over his words.
Hope had at first thought she might
be able to persuade him TO give them
a chance, but she was now convinced
that he would show no mercy unless
She would promise TO marry him. The
Idea of her father and mother turned
out Of their home In their old age and
poor health overcame her and she
buried her head In her arms and wept
The bitterest tears she had ever shed.
Then, somewhat relieved, she recoy.
cred herself. sat up and looked about
her.
In spite OF hardshlps and poverty
here were many pleasant associations
with the ranch that had
been their home for all these many
Years. Even the dilapidated old corral
wall where she was now sitting and
which her father had built of rock
aiken from the ravine in the pasture,
'ecalled the happy days of her child
rood when she had watched with
lager eyes the placing Of each indivd
lal stone and kept account OF how
many we're laid every day. Yes, II
would be hard 10 give 1t up to any one,
ut to Barden, to whom 1t meant so
title when II was so much TO them
er mother she feared might not sur.
i've the loss.
The wretch" she cried passionate.
Y. shaking her fist at the Tetreating
gure Of Barden. which she could just
iscern disappearing down the noun
ain trail. Il know he bought up the
lortgage just to compel me 10 marry
i'm There is no one to loan us the
honey Mr Linwood might. but"
lushing painfully. mo, couldn't go I
} him now---aiter what Barden |
aid
The clatter OF horses hoofs on the 1
a A 4 4 4