The Northern Guardian. — 1898-02-15 (Hartlepool, Cleveland, England)

REGIS TERED FOR TRANSMD3B THE UNITED KINGDOM  TRADE ANNOUNCEMENTS.  SHORT STORY.  JEFF SPANNER'S MORTGAGE.  When Silas Spanner died ne oue regretted Lim hit he AM, Jeff. Silas bad Led the reputation of being the meanest man It Ulster County, and had foreclosed more mortgages than could be counted. However, we all love someone, and Silas bad beea fond of Jeff and generous to him, and Jeff loved him in return.  His father left him all he had, and with his last breath gore him good counsel from his point of view as to how to deal with delinquent creditors, and 'espeially as to a mortgage on the Rose property which hialuild. Jeff. mourning his lons very deeply, set himself to dq an him father had adviiied. having a Inner that the old man would Le aware of it, and would be pleased. 'l' lie only affair that he found unpleasant was collecting the interest ou the mortgage on the Roar property. He always had to call on Mr. Rem, and his daughter, Maisie, a pretty, bright-eyed girl, had a way of peeping out of the door at him that put hue in mind of a frightened bird.  "Oh. there's that-dreadful nian again! " he distinctly heard her say one day. It was not agreeable to him to be "that dreadful man" to a pretty girl like that, nor to any one. Ha was aware that Ross had once mold his parlour furniture to pay him, and that the new family in ORO of the pretty residences jest erected near the depot were negotiating for the tall hall-clock and some old brasses and one day when he went for hie money these things were gone.  I, It was highly uncomfortable. as it watt also to hoar Rose groan as be laid his money on the table. If Jefferson had not been taught so carefully that businese was business he could scarcely have done his duty. As it was, when he saw Maisie floss tripping along the road lie felt it quite impossible to face her, and slipping under a fence concealed himself behind a great oak, fancying that she would psis out of sight in a zuorneut. But, as luck would have it, at that moment another girl advanced from the opposite direction, and the two met awl kissed, and were so 'glad to see each other. 'They sat down on a rock <dose to the very tree behind whioll Jefferson Spanner was hiding. Ho dared not stir lest they should hear him, and thus perforce he listened to their conversation. Maisie spoke first. " You are going te the festival, Lirsie," she asked. _  "Of wane," answered the other girl ; " and of course you are going, Maisie?" "No," said Miss Ross, with a sigh. "I cannot go, Lizzie, and there's no use thinking about it." ! " Oh,don't say you're net coming !" Lizzie cried. " What can be the reason? Are you offended F shan't enjoy myself in the least if you see not there." There was silence for a moment ; then Maisie said, softly: "As to the reason, everyone will know soon. I have not the money to buy the necessary clothes. We eau barely get enough to eat. Papa is selling the furniture bit by bit to pay the internit on that frightful mortgage. Old Silas Spanuer held it. NOW it is held by his SOU, and icon he will foreclose and our Lome will be gone. Papa's patent (you know he has patented an invection) is only itu expense, and he has been cheated, I don't understand bow. There is nothing but ruin before u.s. "We might straggle on but for the mortgage ; we might take souie boarders, but we shall be homeless. My great fear is that it will kill papa or drive him to suicide." . . .  "Can't you try some way to come to the festival, and make your father come !' It might cheer him. I might help you to make something ova." " I've thought of that," said Maisie, " but I have nothing, and my Aunt Nannie, who usually sends me some dress patterns and pretty things twice a year, has not done it this time. Business is had everawbere, I am told. Oh, no! it is out of the question, and I ought not to leave father alone so long MS he is so melancholy." She iuniped to her feet. The girls kissed and parted, mot when they were both out of sight Jefferson Spanner came from behind the oak tree with a very red and angry face. A thought came into his mind that Bushed him still more. She certainly was the loveliest (gesture he bad ever seen, and it was a pity she could not go to the festival. She could manage it—she should. Then he resolved that be would go to town, buy BOMA dry goods, and amid them to her. She would suppose they came from Aunt Nannie, and make 016111 up, And he also would go to the bstival ; he knew her well enough to ask her to dance. There would be dancing on the platform, and he meant to know her better. . . . .  lip Za—rriesi--i;tit his intention, and Maisie received a parcel of silk, muslin, Mee, and gloves that made her wonder at her aunt's generosity. Still Maisie was cheerful, for Mr. RO.Ol bail been persuaded to attend the festival. Jeff saw Maisie on her father's arm, She looked cliartisi:ig. He bowed ; she returned the salutation coldly. HOW ever, he was determined to banish her coldilei.s. At. lunch he waited on her devotedly, not deterred at her evident dislike of him; and when the music began he requested her band for the first dime°. Ha wax haudeouie and well dressed, but in Maisie's eyes an enemy; and she only allowed him to iv rite liM name on her card because she feared for her father's sake to offend him. _ _ _ . . . . .  "--Th-at night Jeff Spanner resolved to make ida'sie Ito= hia wife if she would have him, and uo thought of bestowing upon her the well-saved garment. of ilia late respected mother entered his mind. Time passed on. The day which Mr. Ross so ' dreaded Approached. Jeff bad resolved that before it came he would ask Maine's father to give him