The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1917-11-08
The Old
| Corral
| Wall |
By Addison Howard Gibsea

nOTsemhn VINO nhQ matted before neT.
She had recently returned home, a
graduate from the University Of Cali.
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 1t was through scheming and by
taking a mean and unfair advantage
of neighbors with less business dis.
Cernment 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-the very
last"
But | cannot marry you, Mr.. Bar
dem she returned. Il have told you
that do not love you"
Love-" 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 a large stakeholder in the Red
knight and-well, Rex always was an
ambitious fellow"
The girl was still silent and he went
on: You see how things are In that
quarter, and I'll give you till Satur.
day-no longer--to think ov4 my pro-
rosal Then, If you are still obstinate,
the mortgage will be foreclosed. 1t Is
overdue and your father has not kept
up even the interest. l shall not ex.
tend the time or show any favor I'M
less / have your promise"
Surely, Mr.. Barden." pleaded Hope.
"you won't foreclose on us so soon.
Wait a little and l 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. If 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 Cali
fornia, 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. III you love your parents as you
pretend to, and want them to keep the
ranch, you know how it may be done"
He 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
q 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 she'd |
Then, somewhat relieved, she recov
cred herself, sat up and looked about |
her.
In spite of hardships and poverty |
tUeTB were many pltdSdul 6sSoNidtiOub !
connected 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
taken from the ravine in the pasture,
recalled the happy days of her child.
hood when she had watched with I
eager eyes the placing OF each individ.
ual stone and kept account Of how
many were laid every day. Yes. 1t
would be hard to give IL up to any one,
but to Barden, to whom 1t meant so
little when it was so much to them
her mother she feared might not sur.
vive the loss.
THE wretch" she cried passionate
~. shaking her fist at the retreating
figure OF Barden. which she could just
discern disappearing down the noun.
tain trail Il know he bought up the
mortgage just 10 compel me TO marry
him, There Is no ore to loan us the
money. MIR. Linwood might, but"
blushing painfully. mo. ] couldn't 90
to him now--after what Barden
said"
The clatter OF horses hoofs on the