Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1938-08-20
m TWO FARTs-PART TWO


IN TWO PARTS-PART TWO
1t seemed peculiar how Indifferent
she had become to the father who had
always shown her q certain measure
OF affection, and even Of generosity.
AS for the elderly person she scornfully
called her ''steppie," she despised and
disliked her.
For over a year Iizzie's heart had
been conferred on Hiram Barrison,
though her hunger for love had had
little or nothing to feed on, till tonight.
They had met In Paris two years back,
for the younger Miss Borden had o
more adventurous nature than any Of
those about her suspected, and when
she was 20 her father had given her
a gift Of money which she had at once
decided to spend on a trip to Europe,
IN the company OF a group Of young
ladies.
And, at just about the same time
Hiram BarrisOn who now lived In
Boston, had gone across the ocean with
his last remaining bit Of money. He
Travelled with John Tickle, man much
younger than himself. who had been
very sympathetic at the time Of his
mothers death, but who as travelling
companion proved uncongenial.
It was John Tickle who had struck
up an acquaintance with the party of
young ladies, and arranged that he and
his friend should now and again join
some Of them In an expedition to some
Of the famous places near Paris.
From the first Hiram had got on
very well with Lizzie. One of the things
which had attracted him was that she
was quiet, and refined in appearance,
also Unconditional In manner
Like many an only son Of a widow,
Hiram Barrison had strong dislike
to pert and excitable girls. Miss Bor-
den was evidently given to good works,
and that pleased him. Indeed her only |
regret at being away IN Europe enjoy
ing herself was that the yearly meeting |
of the Flower Mission must be held
without her.
After they had both come home, she
to Fall River, and he TO Boston, where
he had found some work TO do, by one
of those chances which occur In life
more often than the unimaginative /
believe, Hiram BarriSon learned that
Miss Borden's father was an exceeding
ly wealthy man, far richer, indeed,
than any one about the old gentleman
suspected.
Even so, it was she who made the
first step towards renewing their
friendship. She wrote to him with re-
gard to guide book he had lent
her, which she had not returned, and
he answered requesting her acceptance
of the book, and expressing q hope
that some day they would meet again.
A few weeks later Hiram received
another note signed, Lizzie Borden,
explaining that she was spending q
few days in Boston with friends, and
suggesting that he can on her. In the
course Of q pleasant conversation which
took place in the presence OF her host
ess, the two recalled those Partisan ex-
Deriences which ia retrospect appeared
to have been so delightful
Shortly after her return home Lizzie
received from him proposal Of mar
rage, which was more like letter
from a lawyers office than
from q lovers heart. But she was In
no mood TO cavil. Also, she felt i'm
pressed by the honest way in which
be explained that should she accept his
proposal they would perforce have a
ong engagement, as he was not IN q
position TO keep wife.
In her formal letter Of acceptance,
The had stipulated, somewhat to-
7iram's surprise, that their engage
nent should be kept absolutely secret.
And on her next visit to Boston,
turing q brief secret meeting on the
common, she had made plain the
,eason, which was that her father
would never allow either Of his daugh-
ers to marry man who lacked o
fortune.
This had been proven when Emma
Borden had been ordered to refuse !
lard working young man TO whom she
vas deeply attached, and whose only
disability was lack Of money. {
Because It was such a sitting hot
light, or maybe for some other reason,
7iram Barrison, after going TO bed In :
lis lodging, also found he could not t
leep. While ON his journey from 6
session today he had scarcely thought '
4 Lizzie Borden, although he knew he G
vas to see her that evening.
MOI What filled his mind, was the o
Infamous way he considered he had