Pittston Gazette |
Previous | 1 of 4 | Next |
|
small (250x250 max)
medium (500x500 max)
Large
Extra Large
large ( > 500x500)
Full Resolution
All (PDF)
|
This page
All
|
Loading content ...
v-; * i Oldest Newspaper in the Wyoming: Valley. P1TTSTON, LUZERNE COUNTY, PA., FRIDAY, APRIL 30, 1897. KslablUlii'il 1 MM), t Vol. XLVII, No. 33. A Weekly Local and Family Journal. tttl.OO per Year l in A v Mice. lia.sty lunch for themselves. Oil rare occasions a belated traveler inquired for lodging. Alec's duty wan to receive the visitors on the front veranda (as he was the most attractive looking person about the premises), and take the horses. It wad embarrassing to play lackey to such people as he had been used to mingle with on an equality; but, on the whole, he rather liked this opportunity of seeing refined people in any capacity whatever. There was a sweetness in being near them and hearing them talk in the familiar accent which was balm to his homesick heart. He was always well treated, and frequently a shrewd man or kindly lady looked at him inquiringly, as if to ask how he came there, though nothing was ever said. $5 driving a man to Favonia, a rejiow with a bicycle which had broken down." "Let me give you tome advice, young un. You work too hard. Don't do it. I got them fits working too hard. I don't do it any more. That's why I never cleaned out the store more. If I had, I'd 'a' worked myself to death like enough. 'Lisbetb can talk about its being a good thing for business to have the store clean. But it's better to have a dirty store than no store at all, and if I had cleaned out the store regular I sho'd probably be dead by this time. iloor, and tor the moment Alec was under her spelL She was sweet and clean and dainty, aud he seemed to have a rustic's worship of those high qualities. She seemed somehow to be above him, and evidently she felt her power and meant to use it. no telling bow Jong tUat would take. Then it would require not loss than two days to drive the cattle home, even if they traveled more or less steadily during the intervening night. he cattle. The Bifrtit Cf tinDni called Alec to his senses, and immediately he •van racing after thein ae well an he could lor the uueveijueKs of the ground and the tripping branches uuderfoot He had Dot much dillicuity iu driving them toward the liars, for they seemed inclined of themselves io go in that direction. But it was near a mile and a half, so the sun stood at full noon when Alec and (George met once more, and having rounded in the cattle they had found they prepared their lunch together. Only three of the herd were lacking, and these they hoped to find in a part of the pasture yet mivisited. v.ere live i s ntDr roomer a ,irm. Tlje ts\o men sut looking at e«u:b otht for a little while. Then Alec said: :nui C Sn the Jfreart It was difficult to affect a light tone when Aland sat there looking so serious. He rose and approached her, dropping the bill iu her lap, and then sat down again, Sbe did not tonch it or speak. Evidently she didn't wish to accept it, bnt did not know how to refuse. At last she said in a colorless tone: "I think I'll clear off tbe table. Lisie»b must bo pretty -well used up tonight. " Alec liked the idea of taking such a trip with George Marston, for a fondness had grown up between the man and the lad which was clearly recognized by both, though never spoken of. Perhaps 'Lisbeth was the mutual bond, for she had become like a very sister to Af he began his work George rose and ;aid be thought be must be going; that le would come over in the morning, ind be glad to do luiything in the world le could do. On Sunday afternoon Alec went* For the first time he was bitterly ashamed of his clones. He noticed how short bis trousers were, how ill fitting his coat. He furnished himself with a neat straw hat, with a red and blue band, which be found in the stock of the store, but the colors in the band spoiled bis pleasure in wearing it. He had stipulated that she should meet him in the wood back of the Fairleys' house, and there be weut to wait for her. But she was there almost as promptly as he. of the Jfitls. "Yon are at work in the store at Ashton Centre?" "Yes, and I hope soon to be earning some cash. I never kuew before what a nice thing it is to have cash." "I s'pose you think it's kind of queer for a boss to give a hand advice not to work. But my girl 'Lisbeth there, she works too hard. I wish you could set her a better example. I don't know what to do with that girl. She gets ma I'm frighted all the time that she'll work herself into fits, the way I did. Fits ain't such a turrible thing. But they're unhandy, especially in a woman, and a young woman, too, that's like to git married. I've heard toll of men that wouldn't marry a girl that lied fits. That gits me. But, considering how the world is, I'd rather 'Lisbeth didn't have no fits to trouble herself with. "No; stay a little while. 'Lisbeth will De back," said Alec, and went on with lis work, iro Geprge sat down in a carter of the room tind waited. fly SHERWIN CODY Copyright., 1M*i. by the author Aleo, and he had done all he could to forward the suit of Marston, to whom also he looked for a sort of protecting, brotherly interest which is consoling to think of, even if it does not mean very much practically. She smiled and seemed to be thinking of something, perhaps wondering what be did when he found the dollar bill. Alec faucied so at least and told her the whole of the little incident and his surprise when he saw the bill roll out on his blanket. In ten minutes our dainty city lad lad performed (he duties of tbe table ,'irl. Then he went to close up the store. 3e bolted the front door and put out the lights. Then he went the round of the windows in the tavern, fastening them as Mr. Higgins had been accustomed to do. As be went toward the lining room he heard voices and knew Lisbeth must be there. George was landing in front of her, a band on each if her shoulders. But George seemed very sober indeed, and scarcely spoke. Alec missed his free, frank, cordial tone, and was vaguely distressed, though he could make out no reason. CHAPTER XII. squarely into a mountain or immunity, which turned out to l»e Mrs. HigKius. She hail been standing at the door and had beard the colloquy—at least the last part of it, 'Lisbeth took great paint in getting the two off comfortably. Many a little thing was added for their welftTe which they would never have thought of. At G o'olock in the morning the old, dirty, rattling wagon, with its rough floor, that had wide cracks in it, stood before the veranda of the store, and on this special occasion the store door was standing open. But though rather ill looking, the wagon had good springs and good wheels, and the bay mare was fresh and sleek in her substantial though scarcely elegant harness. Everything had been put into the wagon the night before except the lunch basket, and 'Lisbeth had been up for an hoar past preparing that. Alec now appeared at the door bringing it, and George and 'Lisbeth were close behind him. He put the basket in behind, and George got on to the seat and took up the reins. When all was ready, Alec jumped up on the low veranda, and, taking Lis'oath's hand, said a hearty goodby and kissed her o» the cheek. He blushed slightly, but afTeotfd un uncommon ease of manner and unconsciousness as he swung round t::a wagon ;ud proceeded to climb on the opjmsite side. 'Lisb th looked after Lim in blank amazement. She was neither offended nor pier..ad apparently, but simply astonished, and it took her some seconds to grasp the situation. Then site smiled and blushed prettily, and vith a known,g look stepped down b°side the wagon as if she thought herself very stuped to need such a hint from A let;, and shyly lifted up her lips to George, who bent and kissed her shyly, and 'Lisbeth slipped her hand up into his for just a moment. Then they were gone. It was still early, the very gray twilight of the morning, the air was cool and bracing, and the mare trotted briskly away. But after awhile they fell to talking about various topics of philosophy and life. Love always suggests the philosophy of life, for is not love the great mystery? But neither of them was sentimental, and soon other things distracted them. HE TAKE8 A WALK IN TIE WOODS AND Bat one day the chance for earning some money ard for something else came quite unexpectedly. One evening after supper Ale-2 went into the store and found Joe Higgins as usual on his back on the counter, but talking with a stranger in bicycle costume. He was HEARS 8OMETHI.N1; A BUI T JOE HIGULNS. the aftemooc.. when the sun was sinking rapidly into its golden bed and the air was somewhat cooler, Alec went for a ramble. Down the hill to the west the road is a sort of shelving ledge on an embankment, and the passer may look for miles and miles over the valley dotted witli lakes and streams and flashing bits of stream and groves "Oh, you're here before met" she cried on seeing him. "I stopped to catch a butterfly. See!" She displayed a pitiable looking little yellow winged butterfly, wbioh she tried to pet and caress. "I think these woods are perfectly lovely," she weut on as they walked along side by side. But Alec fancied she was careful to keep her skirts from contact with him. A silence followed, and presently she burst out: They talked on ab*ut various things —haying, the weather, Dally and Jerry. Maud said Jerry had anuounced that be was going to get married, but she laughed at the notion. She said she asked him if he would let her live with him and be an old maid, but be refused. He didn't want any sister round bothering his wife. Maud laughed heartily at this. She inquired if Aleo had fou;Dd pleasant people at Ashton Centre, ana he told her something of his experiences there. "O Lord, Mr. Howe, don't mind LisxDth!" she said when they had recovered thenist Ives. She shot the dour and leu tne way out to the piazza, where she had just placed a chair, into which she presently sank, while Alec took his old place ou the Mil keg, with the side of the building for u back. As soon as luncheon was finished they started out again. Alec wandei D1 all the afternoon, finding nothing of the cattle, but plenty else to enjoy. But as the sun sank out of sight away across the valley behind the Green mountains, be heard a long shrill whistle from George, and hurried toward it as rapidly as he could. It was half an hour before he reached the bars, but here be found George and the missing cattle. So at daylight the next morning they would be ready to start for home. "Waal, yes, I guess you could have a horse and buggy to go to the Rushes, bat it's aiore'u 36 miles, you know. Ef you waited over till morning, you could ;o tjown lDy the 10:35 traiu from Ashtou Station." saying "Come now I Was it she what told you I had fits?" "I don't know but this is a bad time o say it,!r George was saying, "yet I ion't know but it's the right time. I mpant to suv it when I got back. I was Linking about it all the way along, that he's gone you'll need someiody to take care of you and the folks, md I don't know that I'm good for anyhiug else if you'll just have me, Lisyeth."and farmhouses. Then it enters a thick "You soo, Mr. Howe, 'Lisbeth worrits a bight over her pa. That was part of what she meant when she talked to you that way. Three years ago her pa bad a sort of fit or something, which they say's heart failure or something. He was out in the store one evening with a lot of men there smoking and that sort, and a little girl, Mrs. Janeway's little Nancy that died, came in and wanted some sngar, and ho was reaching into the barrel that stood out in the middle of the store, yon know, and all of a sudden they saw he was kind of limp and just a-banging on the side of "It was Mrs. that told me," said Alec. forest, where the cool piuea am' Vanlocks and elms and maples and oaks "Aw, I thought it wasn't 'Lisbeth. But it don't make no difference. Mother's always a-telling of it. But it don't make no difference, only I thought I'd sort o' tell you 1 didn't take no 'count of it myself. It is onhamly sometimes, when you're all alone, for instance; yes, onhandy, but I don't take no 'count of it." "Mr. Howe, you don't mean to live here all your life, do you?" "Why not?" asked Aleo, with just a touch of malice. "But I must catch a train tonight if it's possible. I don't mind paying for it." meet above one's head like an arching At last he came to a place where a When be said again be thought i,e must bo going, Maud hastily prepared a little lnnch in a paper bag without asking his permission or saying a word and slipDed it into the wagon witbont his noticing what she was doing. A little later be was jogging out of the yard, and half a mile farther on be pawed Mrs. Bennett walking along the roadway. He raised bis hat and said a civil good morning, bnt she only glared at him. "It is beautiful for a holiday," she answered distractedly, "but I should think it would be horrid to live here with these people all the year round. They're so awkward and dirty." George whs taciturn as ever. Alec was oppressed, but rallied him on being in love, telling biin that after that parting kiss he ought to be a happy man. The other's face lightened somewhat at this, bntt-till he did not resume his natural cheerfalliens. They ate snpper juietly, and as both were tired they roou lay down in their blankets to sleep. brook ran through a little stone arohed "Waal, there's Pavonia, 80 mile. You night catch the 1 o'clock train. I reckin. You ken have my horse and buggy ef you can make a bargain v ith this youngster here to go 'long and fetch the team back. He has nothing to do, and I b'lieve he likes riding. " channel tinder the road, and beyond it spread out into u clear round pool in the midst of an open meadow grown rank with thick swordgrasa. He stepped down from the road to glance into thC dark, cool tunnel of the 6tream. when n ran so amootwy anu quietiy as lr Jin gering to rest under the mossy stone: %_ a _ a •_.« • - • He spoke in a hesitating, jerky way. Bnt 'Lisbeth understood. She looked vaguely away into a cool little dell, and presently sat down npon a mossy rook. "But," said she, "I won't tie myself xD any man with all my father's family langing on my skirts. If mother and the children get enough out of the store ind things to take care of them properly, perhaps 1 might." Their conversation was interrupted at that momeu*. by the entrance of Bent, just oomp from a fishing excursion. He had a very old and battered extension bamboo rod in one hand and a string of tisb in the other, which he wanted to sell to Joe Higgins. Bat that gentleman replied that he had made his fortane that day by selling a pig be had bought for $1.50, and he meant to keep the profit by him. Bent suggested that ho draw on the principal, but be said he had anticipated that suggestion by nsing the noney to pay his rent that day. 80 Bent sat down and lit his pipe, preparatory to a talk. Alec was offered $5 for the night's job and accepted at once and immedi ately started to bitch up the horse. Pavonia! Could he bear that word without remembering tbe circus? And this drive would take him directly past tbe house of tbe Bennett?. Would he catch a glimpse of them? Now he could stop and return tbe dollar bill as he came back. A strange thrill wentthrough his heart at the thought of seeing Maud again, and now he did not dread meeting Mrs. Bennett. He could laugh in her face. Eagerly he threw the harness on the old mare and hauled her into the shafts. She seemed far more reluctant for this midnight journey than be and moved with extronie slowness. Bnt soon she was harnessed and fast in tbe light, open wagon, and a moment later tbe bicycle rider was putting in bis broken wheel, and Mr. Higgins was giving Alec directions about tbe care of the horse. They were to put up in Pavonia for rest and feed and not start on the return till late in tbe afternoon, when the July heat had abated a little, making the greater part of the journey in the evening. "Possibly they are, bat I think I ■hall live here permanently if I succeed in earning my livelihood." leaded with moisture. As be stood up be noticed a luile path muning oil around the edge of the water covered But neither slept. It was clear and 200I; the stars shc,ne down steadily; the wind rustled lightly bnt monrnfuliy in the trees; over in the east the moon was just coming up round and red. casting long shadows among the trees. They lay thus for a long time with no other rounds. Alec woold have gone to sleep long ago had he not been ho very tired. She looked at him reproachfully and said: Then Alec heard something that founded like a kiss. A moment later 3eorge was stumbling blindly out into che dark. He stumbled into Alec, who shook hands with bim and bade him a aearty good night, which qnite brought lim to his normal senses. Alec fastened he door after him and went into the iining roo», where 'Lisbeth was standing by the table. xue-idow, and be immediately decided to follow it. It skirted the bank of the meadow and pool until it came to aii old rail feuce, with its rotten logs piled crosswise upon each other. Alec climbed clumsily over and found the path sttrt- CHAPTER XIV. "Mr. Howe, they're spoiling yon." She looked at him agnin for a moment with her clear eyes and then inquired, "You haven't gone crazy, have you?" JOE HIOOINS DISCOURSES ON THE ADVAW- TAGF.K OF NOT WOUKINO TOO HARD For an boar Alec jogged along, np bill and down, only the rickety rattle of the well worn light wagon breaking tbe monotony. He passed several farmers in similar rigs to his own and instinctively fell to comparing himself with them. Already in a few weeks be had been grubbing among these hills he had lDecome a countryman, with all tbe rustic's awkwardness, shyness and ungainly walk. His clothes seemed to demand these things of bim. His surroundings by sympathy drew bim into their own likeness. The city was one life and tbe country was another, and having chosen to live in the country he did not tind its limitations irritating, aud he almost wondered at it. But he perceived that he was drifting farther and fart her away from city customs and manners. She wan so serious that Alec laughed out loud, but she did not even smile. He looked at her and thought of Maud and of 'Lisbeth, and thought how selfish a creature this girl was, how thoughtless of others, how inconsiderate in her remarks to him even. Suddenly George asked, as if he were inquiring what o'clock it were, but half expected to find his bedfellow asleep: off suddenly into tbe wood. The immensity of tbe place filled him, made bim wish to kneel and worship God, sending his prayers up • through those tall, smooth, brown trunks and the little space that opened to the sky. A pine wood is like a great cathedral, with its gigantic pillars springing up on every side, its domes and arches and massive frescoes and cool, calming "I'vefastened all tbe windows," said Alec, "and tbe doors are bolted except jut this way." "Did you ever kiss her before'!"' CHAPTBR XV. "No," said Alec in the same tone. "I don't know bow I happened to then, only she looked Bo lonely." "I'll fasten out here," said 'Lisbetb, bnt Alec followed her, and their hands sometimes met in the dark. A tear or dropped on his, and then he noiioed that she was sobbing and could oot stop despite her every effort. When they got to the dining room where there was a light, she lay her head on the table, her artns stretched out before her, and gave way at last to the grief she bad so long contained. Alec stood and watched here till the tears began to run Jown his face too. MISS DORA THISTLE 18 NOT INTERESTING. "I fbink I ought to write to your father," she said after a puzzled pause. Alec was not mistaken in supposing that he could not escape the vigilant eye of the young lady from New York. She came for Farmer Fairley's mail the very next day, and he saw her standing in the little knot of young people near the door waiting for the letters to be distribut«d. Her name was Dora Thistle. She did not belong to the best society, but hospitable people had invited her and her widowed mother, with whom she lived, to their houses from time to time, and it was hoped that she would better herself before long by contracting a good marriage. Had it not been for her vain ambitions she would not have been a disagreeable oompanion. She meant well, was fairly intelligent and good looking, and unusually genial and free. But Alec had no desire whatever to renew bis acquaintance with bur, and prayed fervently in hie heart that she might not recognize him. "Do yon think she cares for me?" came the question after a little pause. "I beg of you do nothing of the kind," he pleaded almost earnestly, rnd die promised to say nothing till she returned to New York. "Why, of course. I am sure of it Didn't yon know it? I knew i\ from the first night I staid there. Yon know that Saturday evening you came. I saw her cry a little behind tbe door when yon were gone." space about one. At last Alec climbed up on a high, gray bowlder and sat down, like Robinson Crusoe in tbe midst of his lonely " 'LiRhfth'K a (food (fir?.' They 6pent an hour idly rambling :«bout, when she said she must return to the house, and Alec was only too glad to ■wcape. He stalked moodily across the tields, thinking that the afternoon had heen a failure. Once he bad been this girl's superior; now she treated him as a subordinate. He was a rustic, a countryman.t$S barrel, so to speak, and near tuppin the barrel over. Well, they had a turrible time getting bim oat. They brought him in here and laid bim on that sofa where 'Lisbeth was sitting, and be lay there till pretty near the next morning without stirring or speaking or even breathing, for all I could see. They said he did breathe, though. I thought shore he was dead. Bat he wasn't. He got up next morning and went and changed his clothes aud set off to Conway to bee the doctor. I made Jim go 'long witb him, for I said he shouldn't go alone, and 'Lisbeth, sbe would have gone, too, only she bad to take care of the store. Sbe cried turrible and wanted to go, hut her father made ber give in. She sets turrible store by her father. island over which he was sole ruler aud king. The bowlder was bis throne. All these tall pines were bis humble subjects, never uttering a word of insubordination. What was poverty now, with There was a very long silence after this. Neither moved nor offered to speak. But at last George said in his old cheery tone: There was among farmers great activity near at home just at this season. They were doing up the fall work. Now and then the travelers got wide views over the fields and forests, which seemed clothed in gorgeous, royal robes of flaming red and yellow mingled with the dark green of the pines and hemlocks. Indeed, it was a glorious sight, so strange and different from the soft greens of the spring. Moreover; the air was cool and dry; only white fleecy clouds floated in the sky, and the yellowing leaves came rustling briskly down. Most of the apples had been picked, but open barn doors showed long lines of unheaded barrels rosy with the red fruit, and here and there in the fields were huge heaps, suggesting the harvest of the year. Besides, all the men seemed to work with a relaxing yet buoyant energy, as if thankful that the heavy work of the year was over. Why is it that we love the autumn when the winter will come so soon, with its dull, cloudy November days and its December snows and its January ice? And why is the spring so sad, even when it is the glad herald of a new year and new life? Perhaps it is that we who are ripening rejoice in the ripeness and mellow bounty of autumn, while the spring saddens us because it suggests a new life and budding hopes to others, but not to us. At any rate autumn is filled with joy, is very joy itself in fullness, and when it puts on such regal robes as it does in New England, when the leaves of all the trees and shrubs and vines turn to such brilliant hues, it becomes indeed triumphal. But at last she stopped and they be- to talk. Tliey consulted as to what was to be done. Id a veiled way they talked over 'Liabeth's possible marriage. 'Lisbeth decided that she and Alec must get the store to rights and uanage things for the winter. In the spring perhaps—but it would be time mough to talk about it then. "The children don't know," said 'Lisbeth, "they don't know a thing. They didn't know about father's not being well even, and I put them to bed. It's strange that with the noise and everythiug they have not been down to see what the matter is. But I hey went after leaves today after school and got very tired. I suppose that is the reason. But we shall have to tell them in the morning." It was a bard drive that 30 miles in the dark, especially as neither of the oien knew the way very welL Often at crossroads they got out and anxiously stndied the guideboards by the light of matches. But in many cases tbe old painted signs were so weather worn that tbe directions could not be distinguished, and in other cases the fingers manifestly pointed in a wrong direction. It was a case of drive hard and trust in God, and the result justified their faith, for the 30 miles were made in a little less than six bours over a rough road and up many steep hills, and the unlucky wheelman was dispatched on his journey by tbe 1 o'clock train. About 1 o'clock he stopped at a farmhouse for dinner and to give his horse a feed of some oats he had with him. When be took out the oats, he saw the luncheon bag and immediately looked to see what waa inside. There were two sandwiches and several doughnuts and some ginger cookies. Down among them was a little black thing that looked like a beetle. He put his band in to pick it out and found it was his dollar bill Now it was bis turn to be surprised and embarrassed and roused. He could never offer it to her again. He wondered if she bad been offended and took this way of showing it. For a moment he was angry with hex. Then he bad an impulse of admiratiou. He ended with a feeling of deep and uncomfortable doubt. He aBked himself if Maud could by any possibility be in love with him But, no, it was preposterous. He dismissed it from his mind, but determined never again to see her. The charming little romance he had spun about bet was spoiled. "You'd better go to sleep. Alec. It's tough tramping over the mountains for the first time. I'm pretty stiff myself, and we must be off early tomorrow. It's a good thing we're got all the cattle in." •uch a free heritage? Bnt suddenly a sharp, cool breeze oame along, pu.shing the sultry air before it, and Alec glanced op through the trees to see black, scudding clouds. The ■on "was covered, and it was growing darker, but in this dank forest he had not noticed it Then came a long, low rumble of thunder, and Alec slipped quickly down from his granite throne and began to look for the right way home. After escaping from Miss Dora Thistle Alec returned to the house, instinctively climbed the attio staira and settled com fortably into a large rocking chair on the balcony. The journey home was a long and tedious one. One of the men had to walk all the way, and they took turns. At the end of the first day they were so fagged out that George decided to secure a pen if possible in which to keep the cattle for the night, and at last succeeded. The noxt day one of the steers ran siway, and while ten miles from home they were obliged to drive the other cattle into« neighbor's barnyard and go to hunt for the missing one, which they found along near midnight and drove back to the others. They reached Ashton about 10 o'clock in the evening of the third day. The store was still lighted, and George seemed in exceedingly cheerful spirits as they drew near. As the light of sunset died away his eyes reared on the glooming valley below, with its church steeples, white :ind pointing. And he coald descry the farmhouses with great rambling barns, and here a little clump of village, and there a red brick schoolhouse, while in between were smooth, mown fields and stretches of grain and vegetables, and then low level meadows snrronnded by thick pine groves, now almost wrapped in darkness. And here below was the great forest he had visited, stretching unbroken for miles straight away, that forest that was sister to the mountains.fie wan helping to distribaie the letters and stC«iri an far back behind the tier of pigeonhole boxes an possible, uot looking op, but working away .asily. Fr uj time to time he ga\e a •uick glance to bee wbut Miss Thistle vas do ng "Well, yon know George Mareton, that come in here night. I'm al most sure she's in love with him, though she's never let ou that the in, and he doesn't know it. But she nays she won't never marry while father's like he is now. She says if he should die suddent the store won Id be all broke np if she was married and gone, and then me and the children might come to the Lord only knows what—the poor bouse, for all I know. He could not find it and began to be ' somewhat distressed thereat as he harried here and there, looking and wondering, when saddenly he saw something that changed the whole current of his thoughts. There, not two rods away, wholly unconscious of his presence, sat 'Lisbeth on a low stone, her chin buried in her hands, which in turn were supported by her elbows resting ou her knees. She seemed looking vaguely into ■pace. Alec thought she had been crying. Her chip bat had fallen off beside her, and her whole attitude was that of Alec watched the noisy train disappear in the darkness. Then he slowly left the little station, untied bis horse and made his way to that livery stable where he had pnt np Mr. Bennett's horse the day be and Maud came to see tbe circus. Alec said be wanted a night's lodging and mentioned the name of Mr. Biggins of Asliton Centre, whereupon be was at once conducted to a stuffy bedroom at tbe top of the house, and ten minuces later be was asleep. The letters were nil distributed, Mr. Biggius volunteered to Miss Thistle the airlD-y8' mail, and one by one the wait.jg gioap bat she did not ,{0. fche pretended to lie looking at mme -alien. Alec continned behind the letter •oxes, but it was getting tiresome. Ev■ry one bat Miss Thistle had gone, and .t last be felt obliged to come oat. Mr. Iiggins went in to his dinner, and only tleo wns left in the store—aloue with liss Thistle. "Let me tell them," said Alec. "Doesn't even Jim know?" "Not a word." Then they put cmt the light, and together stumbled out in the dark to the stairs. At the top of the landing, as rbey separated to go to their own rooms, they pressed each other's hands warmly and lingered a moment, then said as oheery a good night as possible and were gone. Here were wealth, success, activity; fonder were the great rich hotels, and there the railroads with their spidery raw linn tiains. If one conld bat grasp this wealth, this activity, this mass of life, the world won Id b« conquered. " 'Lisbeth's a good girL I think she's glad yon're come, 'cause if anything did happen to father you could sort of help ber look after things. They drove the cattle into the great barnyard at the rear, and then George bronght the horse aronnd to the front of the store, while Alec entered the building at the rear. As everything in the kitchen was still and dark, he made bis way into the dining room, where sapper was spread for himself and George, though no one was there, and then be went on into the store, where 'Lisbetb must be. No doubt the children had gone to bed, and possibly Mrs. Higgins also. But before be reached home he reoeiv ed a still more disagreeable shock. A* he drove slowly along not half a milt from Ashton a carryall loaded with gaD summer boarders whirled past him. Be looked up suddenly, and bis eyes met those of a young lady be bad known in New York. Whether she recognized him or not be could not tell, but evidently she had come to spend a few weeks in the neigbbotbood, for tbe carryall watthe property of a farmer whose name Alec knew and who came every day to the store. Probably Miss Dora Thistle had arrived tbe previous day. It wa» impossible to suppose that she wouldn't rootigmze him sooner or later. Be bad never contemplated this sort ot thing. What would sbe tbink of him, working in this garb among such people? And what queer stories would she not set afloat among the people in New York who bad known him? Be fairly hated her. Be wanted to escape somewhere anywhere. Be thought he had cut loos« from New York forever. That New fork should come to tbe retired littlC village of Ashton to spend its holidays be never contemplated. The calm serenity of the place seemed broken. Balf tbe oh arm was gone. Be was almost surly as he entered the kitchen after pnttiug up bis horse and found 'Lisbeth scrubbing the floors. It was after 6, and supper was on the ta ble, but there bad beeu visitors at tbe tavern, and 'Lisbeth bad been delayed in her work. When sbe looked up to welcome Alec back with a smile, be saw how tired ber face was. Be was sorry for her and straightway forgot bis own 'roubles. abandon—a huddled buncb. Sbe was by no Means graceful, but most touching. His heart went out to ber at a bound, and be would have liked to go to her immediately and have comforted her. But be dare not. Be was almost afraid "I dunno as she'd like to have me have tolt you all this, but I thought as you ought to know, so's to be prepared if anything happened to him. Be's bad those tits now and again ever since. Be had one only last month, and I expec' this hot weather he'll have another The next morning be smiled to himself as be thought that now be was no longer afraid of Mrs. Bennett and would if anything be glad to tease ber a bit, not thinking that sbe would doubtless punish Maud for his shortcomings. Be was soon dressed and had bad bis breakfast. A little after 9 o'clock be was driving out through the narrow lane at a smart trot. Presently 'Lisbeth came and Mat in a jbair opposite him, bat she did not -•peak to him. nor did be address ber; indeed be scarcely looked at ber. Yet be was glad she was there. She had an atmosphere of home affection about ber D bat comforted bim aud made him feel that Ashton was really his home. Be had already adopted her in bis heart as bis sister, and bo could not perceive that she rebelled against the relationship, though she gave absolutely no sign of her own feelings. As soon as she saw that they were lone she went directly toward the ounter, behind which was Alec. He tood gnniJy back, both bauds in bis routers pockets. She looked, him sharpy in the eye, carje close up to the ouutrr and leaned Cfter it. so that it ade a crease across the front of her ummer skirt, rested her hands nearly t the opposite side of the counter and .aid in a clear whit*per: By daylight the next morning Aleo was dressed and down in the kitchen. And there be fonnd 'Lisbeth before him bard at work by lamplight in bar pantry, getting ready a large baking, for the bouse would be crowded during the next three days by neighbor* and friends, and of oourse tbey must be fed, and as everything had happened so suddenly 'Lisbetb was not prepared. to make his presence known, and began to think of slipping off without her observing him, when he recollected that he did not know the vay; that it was aboot to rain, and that at any rate be ought not to leave her here to get wet because of her melancholy, however ■acred it might be. He 1 ' taken but a few steps toward her soon." It is perhaps uncertain bow long she would have rambled on bad not Lipbet h appeared in the doorway and said sbe was going to bed. Alec wondered if she bad overboard. He felt more soiry for ber than ever and wished she knew be understood and sympathized. But be did not know how to convey it to ber, so he returned her a curt good night and went off to bed too. To his surprise, he found the store full of strangers. Alec read in their faces that something had happened, and be bnrried on toward the outer door, where he could see 'Lisbetb and Mrs. Higgins looking into the dark for himself and George. As he reached the door be made a sound, and Mrs. HigginE turned suddenly and fell on his neck sobbing as she mumbled out: By half past 10 bis horse was wearily making his way into the yard before the Bennetts' bouse and barn. Aleo looked at the door, but seeing no one there be dropped his eyes. But when he looked again there was Maud standing just as she did when he first saw ber, but now ahe bad u smile on her faoe. He did not recall ever having seen her smile before, but now the smile was very broad, and be was obliged to smile too. He stopped bis borse before the door, and while still sitting in the wagon said: When at nigbt they reached the pasturage they found half a dozen steers and heifers that George greeted familiarly and which came to eat the salt in his hand. He was disappointed to find so few. But these were secured, and then they prepared themselves for the Alec consulted with her about keeping the store closed till after the funeral. He thought it was only proper as a sign cf respect. But 'Lisbetb said people woold have to have something to 'at, and as there was no other place at svhich they could conveniently buy, the Dtore must be kept open. Besides there was the iftail to be distributed. They finally concluded that if the store were open in front for an hour at soon whan the mail came tbat would be Buffioient. The back door might be left open the rest of the day, and if any one were in need he could come in that way. flao . when she beard the breaking of thC •mall branches tinder his feet and turnec and aaw him. She smiled sadly at him and be remarked prosaically: "It looks as if it were going to rain If we don't hurry home, we shall bC drenched." "I don't think it will rain," Bait 'Lisbetb in a harsh, monotonous tone a she glanced np at the scudding cloudi wbich could be seen through the trees "The shower is going ronnd." A few big drops cams bouncing dowi upon tbem before she had finished, bu she assured Alec they meant nothing. "She has been thinking of the black smith,"said Alec to himself, and, a for "Lisbeth, she seemed to feel that hi had read ber through and through. She rose rather sullenly to hei feet, however, and started off, bidding Alec come on. He followed ber, sorry, aympathizing, wishing be could comfort ber, help her, at least show his feeling. But she was silent and forbidding. It was impossible to speak. They tried to talk of indifferent things, but conversation failed, and as they walked through the avenue of trees which formed the road they both lapsed into utter silence. That evening about 9 o'clock, as Aleo was thinking of going to bed, he stumbled into the parlor from the piazza, where he had been sitting on a nail keg. At flrat the room seemed to him deserted, bat soon he beard a half stifled sob, "Mr. Howe, you needn't pretend you lon't know me. I recognized you at the lirat glance when you were in the cart yesterday. I beard you had left home, t am proud of you. CHAPTER XVI. FIB OOE3 TO THE MOUNTAINS FOR THE She smiled sweetly, and Alec was forced to smile in return and suy some- Miss Dora Thistle did sot call at the store the next day, and the day after a bright young man from the city arrived and quite absorbed her attention for the rest of the time she spent at Ashton. Alec was evidently a great puzzle to ber, and she felt that it was best to let him alone. Besides, he had grown very stupid, and Mr with his white flannel suit, brown shoes aud very broad brimmed bat with a red band, was always interesting. Mr. Melton did not mow Alec, and once or twice was rath r rude to him, until Miss Thistle whiskered in his ear; then he only stared lard at Alec aud shook his bead. CATTLE. CHAPTER XIII. "Oh, Mr. Howe, I knew you would come; I knew you would come! You've always been that good to me and Li'jbeth, and even Joe spoke well of you. I knew you would come!" HK GOES TO FAVONIA AND CAIJ.fi ON MAUD. The next morning Alec was down to breakfast at 0 o'clock, and by half past 6 was sweeping oot the store. It was a dirty pluce—appeared as if it had not been properly cleaned out in years—and Alec proposed a thorough over hauling. It had a discouraging look and a discouraging odor. On one side were piled up calicoes, suspenders, women'D« petti coat* and other things useful to the human being, tome of tbem being rakes and scythe snaths. On the other side were sugar, nails and horseshoes, tobacco, candy and groceries. And the odor was a mingled one of lamp oil, molasses, cottonseed meal and phosphate fertilizer.„ jlllli Pr , i;;! r I a lH ' " pi "I was driving by, and I thought I would stop in and see you all a few minutes." % "What is the matter?" asked Alec, looking at 'Ligbetii, and involuntarily drawing away somewhat from Mrs. Higgins' embrace. ' x . , D - "W*~: B - '■Mm* , l^JM "I am the only one at home," said Maud shyly. "Mother has gone to the store, and father and the boys are in tbe field. Won't you come in?" 'Lisbetb turned a sad, pale face on him, and said shortly : The children would be down shortly, and Alec walked out toward the front of the house to meet them when they came down the stairs. 'Lisbeth, he knew, dreaded to see them. And very •soon they came, all clattering down the steps together, laughing and shouting, unmindful and unconscious of the dead. "Father's had a fit afld died about two hours ago. We've been waiting for you to come. Where is George?" Alec thought he would and jumped out to hitch his horse. Maud led tbe way into the kitchen, but did not offer bim a seat there. On the other side of the bouse was the garden, and about the back door was a bit of lawn. Here she placed a small rocking chair for Alec and bade him lie seated. She herself stood in the doorway, awkwardly trying to find something to say. "There," answered Alec, for George bad come up in the dark and was standing on the step. 'Lisbeth turned and stood facing him. But before the summer wub past the young men o( the village made shy ad vaneen to Alec, and he got on to very friendly terms with those he met every Sunday in lim habbath school class. "Oh, Alec has come back!" cried Flo f nd Bessie together as they ran to meet !Dim, and Jim smiled a welcome. One little girl took one hand and the other cbe other hand, and they would have asked him innumerable questions, but . something serious in his face stopped them. So they looked at him intently to see what the matter was. He said he had something to tell them if they would come into the parlor with him. He sat down in a chair by the front window and put an arm about each little girl as they stood on either side of him, while Jim stood with dignity directly in front of him, almost touching his knees. But Alec wenl bravely to work, and between dealing 2 cents' worth of sngar to one little girl and a 25 cent shoe sole to another and serving divers other stray customers he managed by noon to have moved everything on one side of the store and swept. "Fatliar'i dead," she said in the same monotonous tone in which she had addressed Aleo. "He died in one of those fits about two hours ago. We've teen waiting for you. The neighbors ame in and offered to heJp, but they crould do nothing." One day Alec decided to coufide his personal doubts and difficulties to George Marston, the blac ksmith He was quiet ly looking about to see if he could find any remunerative employment or occupation, and thought that George might suggest some idea. Mr. Higgins still gave him only his board and lodging, though he had freely allowed Alec to take things from the store on credit. "Won't you have a glass of milk?" she asked. "Did you catcb the train?" she asked 'irst They prepared their lunch together. night. A campfire was built, over which George made tea and cooked some eggs. The treasures of 'Lisbeth's basket were fully explored, the mare was unharnessed and tied out to gram, for there was a little dried grass outside the pasture bars, though very little inaide. Then the boys got their blankets and sat about the fire talking vaguely as the twilight deepened and the stars lime out. Both seemed happy, but Alec was almost ecstatic. When, a little later, they made their rude beds on the wagon bottom, he lay awake a long time looking up into theclear, still sky. Never before had he slept under the open stars, and now with regret he wished fortune had not always provided him with a bed in those first struggling days. "Yes, and got the $5," he answered ■vith a laugh. Alec said he would. He ica* helping to C11*tribute the letter». "I will nit here," she said and took her place op the doorstep. She did not lead in the conversation, and Alec was more embarrassed than he had ever been before a city girl in hi8 life. He wanted *o nay someihiLg about the dollar bill, and he wanted to ten nor now ne was situated now, for he knew she was curious to hear. At last he broke ont: "Supper is on the table. I waited a : it-tie, thinking perhaps you might •ome." thing civil. He scarcely knew what it jvaa. Again she looked at him with her jiercing eyes and said : "1 am proud of you." He shuttled awkwardly like a countryman, as he te'r. Others had crowded around, much to Alec's annoyance, but 'Lisbetb and Airs. Higgins and George seemed to think it inly natural that they should. But 'Lisbeth said in ttie same tone as before: Joe HiggimD kept out of the way as much as possible while Alec was cleaning. He never took any part in cleaning anything, though he said he was glarl to have it done, because it made Lisbetli feel better. Women hat! queer notions, and '.Lisbeth was always fussing about how dirty the store looked. For him, he didn't see but it was all right so long as he kept the sugar and flour and things tightly covered up. Nothing ever went dirty out of his store—unless it were things like lamp chimneys that were expected to be dirty—and be didn't see what difference a little dirt round the outside of things made anyway. Alec proceeded to wash his face and lands in the tin basin on the bench outride the door, and •won was earing a learty supper. Maud's lunch bag was mtouched. But after supper he gave be things to 'Lisbeth, and thinking bout it that night he decided to for;ive Maud. "Ask him for (5 a week," said George when Alec mentioned this. "You deserve it, and he will never give it to you unless you ask him." .» out the form of a girl lying on the old •ofa. It most be 'Lisbetb, and ebe vas crying. This time Alec oould not reatrain bin sympathies, and be walked directly across tbe room to her side, where he let his hand rest on her arm ia the dark. "Is it yon, 'Lisbetb?'' he asked as oheerily as he could. She immediately sat upright, bnt made no answer. "Tell me what's the matter," he said kindly. "Perhaps I can help yon. I'm so sorry for yon. You've been awfully good to me, 'Lisbeth,"be blurted out and put bis hand out to her in the dark, bnt she repelled it. "Yon don't know anything about it," she answered in a broken voice, "and it wouldn't do any good if you did. You O&n do nothing for roe but go away and let me alone. You've got plenty at things to think about for yourself. You've got a job to earn your board and bed for a little while, and you think yon are as independent as a landlord. Bnt you doo't know bow long your job's going to last nor where you re going to get tbe money to pay for" them very clothes you have on. There! I didn't mean to say that, bat it's tbe gospel truth, and you better understand it now M well as any time. I like yon, and I've tried to help you, bnt I'm only a girl, ■lid I can't do much. " Alec was completely undone by this ■ndden turning of tbe tables. Be mumbled something, felt the tears coming into his own eyC s and began stumbling buck out of tbe room. 'Lisbeth eat quietly ou tbe sofa and made uo sound m movement. tt tb* donr 4nwiitiml* »•' " and at the farther Bide of the room made "I think it noble of you to strike for rourself like this. You needn't ishamed. " "Come in and have you;' supper. I've bad it waiting for yoti. Come in, 3eorge. Don't talk about going off now. Come in. Supper's all ready. " "The fact is, I caine to see yon." Ho hesitated at the end of this sentence, for he was in doubt whether to address her as Maud or Miss Bennett. He compromised by saying neither. She looked at him in blank inquiry, and he perceived that he must go on. "I owe yon something,'' he said and fumbled in his pocket for a dollar he had received from the tavern keeper among the change for bis $5 bill. As he did so he glanced hastily at Maud and saw that her face was almost white, was excited and evidently didn't understand what he 8be drew back a little and looked tround the store. Alec asked Mr. Higgins for the addition of $o a week, and the request was promptly accorded. "What is it?" asked Flo impatiently. "Has anything happened?" CHAPTER XVII. TOK OBSEQUIES OF JOE BIGGIN'S. "Yes," said Alec. "Something sad has happened." After supper that evening Alec wantered into the store, and finding no one trot Mr. Higgius, who was lying on bis Dack on the counter as usaal, he gave lim a little description of the drive, «od inquired concerning several business matters. And as he talked he could iot help remembering what Mrs. Hig(ins had said that Sunday evening ibout the old gentleman's having fits. Che old fellow looked at him pretty iharply one or twice, and seemed pnz/.led by some strange expression on his face. Conversation lagged. There was a long silence, and Alec was thinking of going ont on tbe veranda when Joe Higgins burst out: "Thin must be a horrid place to stay in all the time. I am jnstproud of you," die said. "I thought you was a queer chap to work all summer on nothing a week, ' said Joe, "but if you wanted to do it I wasn't saying nothing." • As the doctor and a neighbor lmd per'orined the* necessary offices for the dead, there was naught to do now but eat supper and go to bed. Kind women followed Mrs. Higgins and 'Lisbeth fairly into the dining room, aud had to be assured mauy times that there was nothing to b« done, uo assistance needed, that they were perfectly comfortable for the night now that George and Alec /■ad come home. And at last, as George and Alec were finishing their supper, the four were left alone in the dining room, aud Mrs. Higgius and 'Lisbeth .-ank into chairs at the table with the young men. Mrs. Higgins by tutus wept on the virtues of her deceased husband. All thre« tried to comfort her, but in vain. She became hysterical, till 'Lisbeth spoke to lier: "What is it?" asked Flo again, but the others were silent and fearful. Alec thought it about time to turn the •onversation and remarked that it was i pleasant day, though rather hot. " Your papa has gone to heaTen." "Is be dead?" said Bessie, looking at Alec with great round eyes. The sharp October frosts had turned all the oiaple leaves near let and all the elm and chestnut leaves yellow, and the ivy leaves yellow and scarlet together. It was time to bring home the young cattle from the mountains, and George Marston and Alec were deputed 'to go for them for the neighborhood. George Marston was considered the best hand at coaxing cattle in the village, and he in tnrn asked Alec to go with him.- Joe Higgins readily let the yonng man off, for he had cattle of his own to bf brought. They were to take George Marston'8 Concord wagon and bay mare, a first rate roadster. In the wagon wen plenty of blankets, so that they mighi -deep a night on the bottom of it if neeo be, and oats for the mare and a bif lunch basket that 'Lisbeth prepared. I: xmtaiued, Alec knew, a lot of her gooi thiugs—ginger cookies and currant jell\ md huckleberry jam, besides more solid nutriment, and there was a big jug of Alec thought 'Jjisbtth worked herself to death. Her part of the house never looked dirty. And he looked curiously at Joe Higgins, as if he were looking at a man almost in tbe next world. Moreover, everything was narrow and pinched—only nature was luxuriant—and Alec wondered how on earth a fortune could ever be made out of the penny's worth of this and the twopennies' worth of that, with scarce ever an order above a few shilling*. "I just adore the country," she said rapturously, "but I've been a little lonely till I saw you yesterday. 1 came only day before yesterday. Poor mamma couldn't come. I'm practically all alone, though Mrs. Bent ley is supposed to be my chaperon. But I shan't be lonely now that I've found you. There is a lovely wood back of Mr. Fairley's house, and I've already found a beautiful walk." The next day they were scouring the woods, each searching in a different direction for the missing cattle. It was one of those warm October days when the sunshine seems yellowest of all the year A few rustling dead leaves fluttered underfoot, and dry branches broke, while partridges started up on every side, winging low along the ground or running with lowered head*. "Yes, he is dead!" answered Alec. There was silence for a moment or two. Then Flo, with childish bnt innocent heartlessness, asked: "Is that all you had to tell os?" "Isn't that enough?" answered Aleo solemnly, perhaps a little shocked. "You won't see your papa any more. He's gone, and he won't come back again. Aren't you sorry?" meant. "You gave me that dollar bill, didn't you?" he asked, with a smile, looking straight at her. "I don't know but I should have starved if it hadn't been for that." He looked up at Jim and saw great tears in the boy's eyes. The little girla looked up at him, too, and as they did so the tears rolled down his brave cheeks. "Ha, young un, I've been wondering what you've been look ng at me so queer for. I guess the women folks have been telling you I was one foot in the grave. Hey? Ain't that so?" "But I »m a laboring man now, you know. Miss Thistle," said Alec a polo getically. Here and there one might catch glimpses up the gorges of the mountains, revealing a splendor and a gorgeousiiess that must remain in memory till death of iven the most unimaginative. It seemed •) if Dame Nature were a fine lady iupecting the most sumptuous materials Dr her winter's druses, and here they ere spread out before her in mngnili;Dnt abundance, as if this were the varebouse of the gods. Fold on fold ley lay high up the mountain sides and jwii the gorges, now reel, now yellow, As he went about the store he remembered very vividly the desjieration of bis first days in the village and \v.;.- mightily thankful for his present vantage. But nevertheless he had desperate fits of homesickness, and £iDr a dav or The color now flooded her face in succession to the palJor iu an almost painful scarlet, and she sat perfectly still, not moving a muscle, even to turn her eyes away, though they seemed glazed and sightless. This was a new experience to hpr, /or which she was totally unpreparee The thought of his suspecting her as the giver had never once entered her mind. Alec saw and under- Stood, and his heart went out toward her more than ever. "But that doesn't matter in the least," responded the young lady, with condescending magnanimity. Alec blushed and stammered in a way that evidently quite satisfied Mr. Higgins."Mother, stop! Stop, mother!" Alec told Jim of the conversation with 'Lisbeth the night before and of their intention to keep on with the store if possible. He gravely wondered if be ought not to stay out of school to help. But Alec thought that if he worked hard out of school hours that wonld be sufficient. "I can't leave the store, you see," Alec explained. But Alec bad been watching the face of 'Lisbeth. Not a tear lrad escaped her eyes; her face was pallid and drawn in tense lines. two he looked about in vain for anypos sihle wnrk by which he might earn a little money. In the meantime he said nothing to Mr. Higgins about honrs, and as there t-eetned plenty to do it' cleaning up and putting things in order and mastering prices and what not h*; stuck pretty closely to that. "Oh," she said softly, looking out of the door. "But you can come and see me Sundays. I am sure you don't work on Sundays. We can have all Sunday afternoon together, and I shall be here three weeks at least," she answered brightly and with such cooing good humor that Alec smiled and yielded. His only proviso was that she wouldn't toll Mrs. Beutley or let the people in New York know how she had discovered him. Nobody knew where he was, he said. "Don't you take any stock in what women tell you. Women have no earthly idee how to bluff the devil. Why, bless your heart, I've had them fits 40 year, and they never found it out till jest three years ago. You say I'll die in 'ine o' 'em some day. Course I'll die when my time comes, but there's no use in dying before your time. What is it Scriptur' says?—there's a time to be merry, and a time to be sad? I s'pose there's a time to have fits and a time not to have 'em, and a tin* to die in I'ua and a tinw not ta Alec suggested to Mrs. Higgins that he should help her into the parlor, and she would gratefully have accepted his assistance, but 'Lisbeth jumped up and -aid: sweet cider. It was a very gloomy household. The children tagged about after 'Lisbeth, who had to watch her baking and every now and then receive some kind friend or neighbor who had come in to help or to offer sympathy. Some of them brought pies and cakes, knowing that 'Lisbeth must be short with so many peor1" *r -A The men came "You needn't try todenyyou did it," be said lightly, but awkwardly. "It They would be gone no doubt for three days, if not four or five, for it was 80 miles to the Mountains and hunting cattle and driving them home are very slow work. They would start early on Monday morning and reach the pasturage by evening. The next day would come the hunt for the stray ones, and th$re was Suddenly Aloe came out on a little lake, held in a lofty niche between great ledges. Tbe dry leaves fluttered on its edges, ripples from falling twigs reen or brown was awfully good of you, and I know "I'll go with mother." The tavern was chiefly a stopping place for tourists and other travelers driving to tbe mountains or engaged in ooaching {unties. They would stop to rest their horses and nave them watered -—* fed. and they usually wanted a there is no one else who would have done it. As I said. I don't know but I "No, you stay with George," said Mrs. Higgius, even at this moment thoughtful of the proprieties to her guest. should have starved if it hadn't been i for that. But uow I'm earning my board I and lodging working in the store at |Aabtoii * last night I earned or insects or an obstreperous frog .-an playfully aud lightly over its smooth surface, and it looked so cool and calm "Ueorge cnn take care of himself. aiuj clear I Aud there yonder, standing Alec cuii look after lum, suid ' Lihbeth She nun led beamingly fruiii tinder her meeiul cliiD hat u nhn went out the (Continued cm page 2.) 't.
Object Description
Title | Pittston Gazette |
Masthead | Pittston Gazette, Volume 47 Number 33, April 30, 1897 |
Volume | 47 |
Issue | 33 |
Subject | Pittston Gazette newspaper |
Description | The collection contains the archive of the Pittston Gazette, a northeastern Pennsylvania newspaper published from 1850 through 1965. This archive spans 1850-1907 and is significant to genealogists and historians focused on northeastern Pennsylvania. |
Publisher | Pittston Gazette |
Physical Description | microfilm |
Date | 1897-04-30 |
Location Covered | United States; Pennsylvania; Luzerne County; Pittston |
Type | Text |
Original Format | newspaper |
Digital Format | image/tiff |
Language | English |
Rights | http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/ |
Contact | For information on source and images, contact the West Pittston Public Library, 200 Exeter Ave, West Pittston, PA 18643. Phone: (570) 654-9847. Email: wplibrary@luzernelibraries.org |
Contributing Institution | West Pittston Public Library |
Sponsorship | This Digital Object is provided in a collection that is included in POWER Library: Pennsylvania Photos and Documents, which is funded by the Office of Commonwealth Libraries of Pennsylvania/Pennsylvania Department of Education. |
Description
Title | Pittston Gazette |
Masthead | Pittston Gazette, Volume 47 Number 33, April 30, 1897 |
Volume | 47 |
Issue | 33 |
Subject | Pittston Gazette newspaper |
Description | The collection contains the archive of the Pittston Gazette, a northeastern Pennsylvania newspaper published from 1850 through 1965. This archive spans 1850-1907 and is significant to genealogists and historians focused on northeastern Pennsylvania. |
Publisher | Pittston Gazette |
Physical Description | microfilm |
Date | 1897-04-30 |
Location Covered | United States; Pennsylvania; Luzerne County; Pittston |
Type | Text |
Original Format | newspaper |
Digital Format | image/tiff |
Identifier | PGZ_18970430_001.tif |
Language | English |
Rights | http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/ |
Contact | For information on source and images, contact the West Pittston Public Library, 200 Exeter Ave, West Pittston, PA 18643. Phone: (570) 654-9847. Email: wplibrary@luzernelibraries.org |
Contributing Institution | West Pittston Public Library |
Sponsorship | This Digital Object is provided in a collection that is included in POWER Library: Pennsylvania Photos and Documents, which is funded by the Office of Commonwealth Libraries of Pennsylvania/Pennsylvania Department of Education. |
Full Text | v-; * i Oldest Newspaper in the Wyoming: Valley. P1TTSTON, LUZERNE COUNTY, PA., FRIDAY, APRIL 30, 1897. KslablUlii'il 1 MM), t Vol. XLVII, No. 33. A Weekly Local and Family Journal. tttl.OO per Year l in A v Mice. lia.sty lunch for themselves. Oil rare occasions a belated traveler inquired for lodging. Alec's duty wan to receive the visitors on the front veranda (as he was the most attractive looking person about the premises), and take the horses. It wad embarrassing to play lackey to such people as he had been used to mingle with on an equality; but, on the whole, he rather liked this opportunity of seeing refined people in any capacity whatever. There was a sweetness in being near them and hearing them talk in the familiar accent which was balm to his homesick heart. He was always well treated, and frequently a shrewd man or kindly lady looked at him inquiringly, as if to ask how he came there, though nothing was ever said. $5 driving a man to Favonia, a rejiow with a bicycle which had broken down." "Let me give you tome advice, young un. You work too hard. Don't do it. I got them fits working too hard. I don't do it any more. That's why I never cleaned out the store more. If I had, I'd 'a' worked myself to death like enough. 'Lisbetb can talk about its being a good thing for business to have the store clean. But it's better to have a dirty store than no store at all, and if I had cleaned out the store regular I sho'd probably be dead by this time. iloor, and tor the moment Alec was under her spelL She was sweet and clean and dainty, aud he seemed to have a rustic's worship of those high qualities. She seemed somehow to be above him, and evidently she felt her power and meant to use it. no telling bow Jong tUat would take. Then it would require not loss than two days to drive the cattle home, even if they traveled more or less steadily during the intervening night. he cattle. The Bifrtit Cf tinDni called Alec to his senses, and immediately he •van racing after thein ae well an he could lor the uueveijueKs of the ground and the tripping branches uuderfoot He had Dot much dillicuity iu driving them toward the liars, for they seemed inclined of themselves io go in that direction. But it was near a mile and a half, so the sun stood at full noon when Alec and (George met once more, and having rounded in the cattle they had found they prepared their lunch together. Only three of the herd were lacking, and these they hoped to find in a part of the pasture yet mivisited. v.ere live i s ntDr roomer a ,irm. Tlje ts\o men sut looking at e«u:b otht for a little while. Then Alec said: :nui C Sn the Jfreart It was difficult to affect a light tone when Aland sat there looking so serious. He rose and approached her, dropping the bill iu her lap, and then sat down again, Sbe did not tonch it or speak. Evidently she didn't wish to accept it, bnt did not know how to refuse. At last she said in a colorless tone: "I think I'll clear off tbe table. Lisie»b must bo pretty -well used up tonight. " Alec liked the idea of taking such a trip with George Marston, for a fondness had grown up between the man and the lad which was clearly recognized by both, though never spoken of. Perhaps 'Lisbeth was the mutual bond, for she had become like a very sister to Af he began his work George rose and ;aid be thought be must be going; that le would come over in the morning, ind be glad to do luiything in the world le could do. On Sunday afternoon Alec went* For the first time he was bitterly ashamed of his clones. He noticed how short bis trousers were, how ill fitting his coat. He furnished himself with a neat straw hat, with a red and blue band, which be found in the stock of the store, but the colors in the band spoiled bis pleasure in wearing it. He had stipulated that she should meet him in the wood back of the Fairleys' house, and there be weut to wait for her. But she was there almost as promptly as he. of the Jfitls. "Yon are at work in the store at Ashton Centre?" "Yes, and I hope soon to be earning some cash. I never kuew before what a nice thing it is to have cash." "I s'pose you think it's kind of queer for a boss to give a hand advice not to work. But my girl 'Lisbeth there, she works too hard. I wish you could set her a better example. I don't know what to do with that girl. She gets ma I'm frighted all the time that she'll work herself into fits, the way I did. Fits ain't such a turrible thing. But they're unhandy, especially in a woman, and a young woman, too, that's like to git married. I've heard toll of men that wouldn't marry a girl that lied fits. That gits me. But, considering how the world is, I'd rather 'Lisbeth didn't have no fits to trouble herself with. "No; stay a little while. 'Lisbeth will De back," said Alec, and went on with lis work, iro Geprge sat down in a carter of the room tind waited. fly SHERWIN CODY Copyright., 1M*i. by the author Aleo, and he had done all he could to forward the suit of Marston, to whom also he looked for a sort of protecting, brotherly interest which is consoling to think of, even if it does not mean very much practically. She smiled and seemed to be thinking of something, perhaps wondering what be did when he found the dollar bill. Alec faucied so at least and told her the whole of the little incident and his surprise when he saw the bill roll out on his blanket. In ten minutes our dainty city lad lad performed (he duties of tbe table ,'irl. Then he went to close up the store. 3e bolted the front door and put out the lights. Then he went the round of the windows in the tavern, fastening them as Mr. Higgins had been accustomed to do. As be went toward the lining room he heard voices and knew Lisbeth must be there. George was landing in front of her, a band on each if her shoulders. But George seemed very sober indeed, and scarcely spoke. Alec missed his free, frank, cordial tone, and was vaguely distressed, though he could make out no reason. CHAPTER XII. squarely into a mountain or immunity, which turned out to l»e Mrs. HigKius. She hail been standing at the door and had beard the colloquy—at least the last part of it, 'Lisbeth took great paint in getting the two off comfortably. Many a little thing was added for their welftTe which they would never have thought of. At G o'olock in the morning the old, dirty, rattling wagon, with its rough floor, that had wide cracks in it, stood before the veranda of the store, and on this special occasion the store door was standing open. But though rather ill looking, the wagon had good springs and good wheels, and the bay mare was fresh and sleek in her substantial though scarcely elegant harness. Everything had been put into the wagon the night before except the lunch basket, and 'Lisbeth had been up for an hoar past preparing that. Alec now appeared at the door bringing it, and George and 'Lisbeth were close behind him. He put the basket in behind, and George got on to the seat and took up the reins. When all was ready, Alec jumped up on the low veranda, and, taking Lis'oath's hand, said a hearty goodby and kissed her o» the cheek. He blushed slightly, but afTeotfd un uncommon ease of manner and unconsciousness as he swung round t::a wagon ;ud proceeded to climb on the opjmsite side. 'Lisb th looked after Lim in blank amazement. She was neither offended nor pier..ad apparently, but simply astonished, and it took her some seconds to grasp the situation. Then site smiled and blushed prettily, and vith a known,g look stepped down b°side the wagon as if she thought herself very stuped to need such a hint from A let;, and shyly lifted up her lips to George, who bent and kissed her shyly, and 'Lisbeth slipped her hand up into his for just a moment. Then they were gone. It was still early, the very gray twilight of the morning, the air was cool and bracing, and the mare trotted briskly away. But after awhile they fell to talking about various topics of philosophy and life. Love always suggests the philosophy of life, for is not love the great mystery? But neither of them was sentimental, and soon other things distracted them. HE TAKE8 A WALK IN TIE WOODS AND Bat one day the chance for earning some money ard for something else came quite unexpectedly. One evening after supper Ale-2 went into the store and found Joe Higgins as usual on his back on the counter, but talking with a stranger in bicycle costume. He was HEARS 8OMETHI.N1; A BUI T JOE HIGULNS. the aftemooc.. when the sun was sinking rapidly into its golden bed and the air was somewhat cooler, Alec went for a ramble. Down the hill to the west the road is a sort of shelving ledge on an embankment, and the passer may look for miles and miles over the valley dotted witli lakes and streams and flashing bits of stream and groves "Oh, you're here before met" she cried on seeing him. "I stopped to catch a butterfly. See!" She displayed a pitiable looking little yellow winged butterfly, wbioh she tried to pet and caress. "I think these woods are perfectly lovely," she weut on as they walked along side by side. But Alec fancied she was careful to keep her skirts from contact with him. A silence followed, and presently she burst out: They talked on ab*ut various things —haying, the weather, Dally and Jerry. Maud said Jerry had anuounced that be was going to get married, but she laughed at the notion. She said she asked him if he would let her live with him and be an old maid, but be refused. He didn't want any sister round bothering his wife. Maud laughed heartily at this. She inquired if Aleo had fou;Dd pleasant people at Ashton Centre, ana he told her something of his experiences there. "O Lord, Mr. Howe, don't mind LisxDth!" she said when they had recovered thenist Ives. She shot the dour and leu tne way out to the piazza, where she had just placed a chair, into which she presently sank, while Alec took his old place ou the Mil keg, with the side of the building for u back. As soon as luncheon was finished they started out again. Alec wandei D1 all the afternoon, finding nothing of the cattle, but plenty else to enjoy. But as the sun sank out of sight away across the valley behind the Green mountains, be heard a long shrill whistle from George, and hurried toward it as rapidly as he could. It was half an hour before he reached the bars, but here be found George and the missing cattle. So at daylight the next morning they would be ready to start for home. "Waal, yes, I guess you could have a horse and buggy to go to the Rushes, bat it's aiore'u 36 miles, you know. Ef you waited over till morning, you could ;o tjown lDy the 10:35 traiu from Ashtou Station." saying "Come now I Was it she what told you I had fits?" "I don't know but this is a bad time o say it,!r George was saying, "yet I ion't know but it's the right time. I mpant to suv it when I got back. I was Linking about it all the way along, that he's gone you'll need someiody to take care of you and the folks, md I don't know that I'm good for anyhiug else if you'll just have me, Lisyeth."and farmhouses. Then it enters a thick "You soo, Mr. Howe, 'Lisbeth worrits a bight over her pa. That was part of what she meant when she talked to you that way. Three years ago her pa bad a sort of fit or something, which they say's heart failure or something. He was out in the store one evening with a lot of men there smoking and that sort, and a little girl, Mrs. Janeway's little Nancy that died, came in and wanted some sngar, and ho was reaching into the barrel that stood out in the middle of the store, yon know, and all of a sudden they saw he was kind of limp and just a-banging on the side of "It was Mrs. that told me," said Alec. forest, where the cool piuea am' Vanlocks and elms and maples and oaks "Aw, I thought it wasn't 'Lisbeth. But it don't make no difference. Mother's always a-telling of it. But it don't make no difference, only I thought I'd sort o' tell you 1 didn't take no 'count of it myself. It is onhamly sometimes, when you're all alone, for instance; yes, onhandy, but I don't take no 'count of it." "Mr. Howe, you don't mean to live here all your life, do you?" "Why not?" asked Aleo, with just a touch of malice. "But I must catch a train tonight if it's possible. I don't mind paying for it." meet above one's head like an arching At last he came to a place where a When be said again be thought i,e must bo going, Maud hastily prepared a little lnnch in a paper bag without asking his permission or saying a word and slipDed it into the wagon witbont his noticing what she was doing. A little later be was jogging out of the yard, and half a mile farther on be pawed Mrs. Bennett walking along the roadway. He raised bis hat and said a civil good morning, bnt she only glared at him. "It is beautiful for a holiday," she answered distractedly, "but I should think it would be horrid to live here with these people all the year round. They're so awkward and dirty." George whs taciturn as ever. Alec was oppressed, but rallied him on being in love, telling biin that after that parting kiss he ought to be a happy man. The other's face lightened somewhat at this, bntt-till he did not resume his natural cheerfalliens. They ate snpper juietly, and as both were tired they roou lay down in their blankets to sleep. brook ran through a little stone arohed "Waal, there's Pavonia, 80 mile. You night catch the 1 o'clock train. I reckin. You ken have my horse and buggy ef you can make a bargain v ith this youngster here to go 'long and fetch the team back. He has nothing to do, and I b'lieve he likes riding. " channel tinder the road, and beyond it spread out into u clear round pool in the midst of an open meadow grown rank with thick swordgrasa. He stepped down from the road to glance into thC dark, cool tunnel of the 6tream. when n ran so amootwy anu quietiy as lr Jin gering to rest under the mossy stone: %_ a _ a •_.« • - • He spoke in a hesitating, jerky way. Bnt 'Lisbeth understood. She looked vaguely away into a cool little dell, and presently sat down npon a mossy rook. "But," said she, "I won't tie myself xD any man with all my father's family langing on my skirts. If mother and the children get enough out of the store ind things to take care of them properly, perhaps 1 might." Their conversation was interrupted at that momeu*. by the entrance of Bent, just oomp from a fishing excursion. He had a very old and battered extension bamboo rod in one hand and a string of tisb in the other, which he wanted to sell to Joe Higgins. Bat that gentleman replied that he had made his fortane that day by selling a pig be had bought for $1.50, and he meant to keep the profit by him. Bent suggested that ho draw on the principal, but be said he had anticipated that suggestion by nsing the noney to pay his rent that day. 80 Bent sat down and lit his pipe, preparatory to a talk. Alec was offered $5 for the night's job and accepted at once and immedi ately started to bitch up the horse. Pavonia! Could he bear that word without remembering tbe circus? And this drive would take him directly past tbe house of tbe Bennett?. Would he catch a glimpse of them? Now he could stop and return tbe dollar bill as he came back. A strange thrill wentthrough his heart at the thought of seeing Maud again, and now he did not dread meeting Mrs. Bennett. He could laugh in her face. Eagerly he threw the harness on the old mare and hauled her into the shafts. She seemed far more reluctant for this midnight journey than be and moved with extronie slowness. Bnt soon she was harnessed and fast in tbe light, open wagon, and a moment later tbe bicycle rider was putting in bis broken wheel, and Mr. Higgins was giving Alec directions about tbe care of the horse. They were to put up in Pavonia for rest and feed and not start on the return till late in tbe afternoon, when the July heat had abated a little, making the greater part of the journey in the evening. "Possibly they are, bat I think I ■hall live here permanently if I succeed in earning my livelihood." leaded with moisture. As be stood up be noticed a luile path muning oil around the edge of the water covered But neither slept. It was clear and 200I; the stars shc,ne down steadily; the wind rustled lightly bnt monrnfuliy in the trees; over in the east the moon was just coming up round and red. casting long shadows among the trees. They lay thus for a long time with no other rounds. Alec woold have gone to sleep long ago had he not been ho very tired. She looked at him reproachfully and said: Then Alec heard something that founded like a kiss. A moment later 3eorge was stumbling blindly out into che dark. He stumbled into Alec, who shook hands with bim and bade him a aearty good night, which qnite brought lim to his normal senses. Alec fastened he door after him and went into the iining roo», where 'Lisbeth was standing by the table. xue-idow, and be immediately decided to follow it. It skirted the bank of the meadow and pool until it came to aii old rail feuce, with its rotten logs piled crosswise upon each other. Alec climbed clumsily over and found the path sttrt- CHAPTER XIV. "Mr. Howe, they're spoiling yon." She looked at him agnin for a moment with her clear eyes and then inquired, "You haven't gone crazy, have you?" JOE HIOOINS DISCOURSES ON THE ADVAW- TAGF.K OF NOT WOUKINO TOO HARD For an boar Alec jogged along, np bill and down, only the rickety rattle of the well worn light wagon breaking tbe monotony. He passed several farmers in similar rigs to his own and instinctively fell to comparing himself with them. Already in a few weeks be had been grubbing among these hills he had lDecome a countryman, with all tbe rustic's awkwardness, shyness and ungainly walk. His clothes seemed to demand these things of bim. His surroundings by sympathy drew bim into their own likeness. The city was one life and tbe country was another, and having chosen to live in the country he did not tind its limitations irritating, aud he almost wondered at it. But he perceived that he was drifting farther and fart her away from city customs and manners. She wan so serious that Alec laughed out loud, but she did not even smile. He looked at her and thought of Maud and of 'Lisbeth, and thought how selfish a creature this girl was, how thoughtless of others, how inconsiderate in her remarks to him even. Suddenly George asked, as if he were inquiring what o'clock it were, but half expected to find his bedfellow asleep: off suddenly into tbe wood. The immensity of tbe place filled him, made bim wish to kneel and worship God, sending his prayers up • through those tall, smooth, brown trunks and the little space that opened to the sky. A pine wood is like a great cathedral, with its gigantic pillars springing up on every side, its domes and arches and massive frescoes and cool, calming "I'vefastened all tbe windows," said Alec, "and tbe doors are bolted except jut this way." "Did you ever kiss her before'!"' CHAPTBR XV. "No," said Alec in the same tone. "I don't know bow I happened to then, only she looked Bo lonely." "I'll fasten out here," said 'Lisbetb, bnt Alec followed her, and their hands sometimes met in the dark. A tear or dropped on his, and then he noiioed that she was sobbing and could oot stop despite her every effort. When they got to the dining room where there was a light, she lay her head on the table, her artns stretched out before her, and gave way at last to the grief she bad so long contained. Alec stood and watched here till the tears began to run Jown his face too. MISS DORA THISTLE 18 NOT INTERESTING. "I fbink I ought to write to your father," she said after a puzzled pause. Alec was not mistaken in supposing that he could not escape the vigilant eye of the young lady from New York. She came for Farmer Fairley's mail the very next day, and he saw her standing in the little knot of young people near the door waiting for the letters to be distribut«d. Her name was Dora Thistle. She did not belong to the best society, but hospitable people had invited her and her widowed mother, with whom she lived, to their houses from time to time, and it was hoped that she would better herself before long by contracting a good marriage. Had it not been for her vain ambitions she would not have been a disagreeable oompanion. She meant well, was fairly intelligent and good looking, and unusually genial and free. But Alec had no desire whatever to renew bis acquaintance with bur, and prayed fervently in hie heart that she might not recognize him. "Do yon think she cares for me?" came the question after a little pause. "I beg of you do nothing of the kind," he pleaded almost earnestly, rnd die promised to say nothing till she returned to New York. "Why, of course. I am sure of it Didn't yon know it? I knew i\ from the first night I staid there. Yon know that Saturday evening you came. I saw her cry a little behind tbe door when yon were gone." space about one. At last Alec climbed up on a high, gray bowlder and sat down, like Robinson Crusoe in tbe midst of his lonely " 'LiRhfth'K a (food (fir?.' They 6pent an hour idly rambling :«bout, when she said she must return to the house, and Alec was only too glad to ■wcape. He stalked moodily across the tields, thinking that the afternoon had heen a failure. Once he bad been this girl's superior; now she treated him as a subordinate. He was a rustic, a countryman.t$S barrel, so to speak, and near tuppin the barrel over. Well, they had a turrible time getting bim oat. They brought him in here and laid bim on that sofa where 'Lisbeth was sitting, and be lay there till pretty near the next morning without stirring or speaking or even breathing, for all I could see. They said he did breathe, though. I thought shore he was dead. Bat he wasn't. He got up next morning and went and changed his clothes aud set off to Conway to bee the doctor. I made Jim go 'long witb him, for I said he shouldn't go alone, and 'Lisbeth, sbe would have gone, too, only she bad to take care of the store. Sbe cried turrible and wanted to go, hut her father made ber give in. She sets turrible store by her father. island over which he was sole ruler aud king. The bowlder was bis throne. All these tall pines were bis humble subjects, never uttering a word of insubordination. What was poverty now, with There was a very long silence after this. Neither moved nor offered to speak. But at last George said in his old cheery tone: There was among farmers great activity near at home just at this season. They were doing up the fall work. Now and then the travelers got wide views over the fields and forests, which seemed clothed in gorgeous, royal robes of flaming red and yellow mingled with the dark green of the pines and hemlocks. Indeed, it was a glorious sight, so strange and different from the soft greens of the spring. Moreover; the air was cool and dry; only white fleecy clouds floated in the sky, and the yellowing leaves came rustling briskly down. Most of the apples had been picked, but open barn doors showed long lines of unheaded barrels rosy with the red fruit, and here and there in the fields were huge heaps, suggesting the harvest of the year. Besides, all the men seemed to work with a relaxing yet buoyant energy, as if thankful that the heavy work of the year was over. Why is it that we love the autumn when the winter will come so soon, with its dull, cloudy November days and its December snows and its January ice? And why is the spring so sad, even when it is the glad herald of a new year and new life? Perhaps it is that we who are ripening rejoice in the ripeness and mellow bounty of autumn, while the spring saddens us because it suggests a new life and budding hopes to others, but not to us. At any rate autumn is filled with joy, is very joy itself in fullness, and when it puts on such regal robes as it does in New England, when the leaves of all the trees and shrubs and vines turn to such brilliant hues, it becomes indeed triumphal. But at last she stopped and they be- to talk. Tliey consulted as to what was to be done. Id a veiled way they talked over 'Liabeth's possible marriage. 'Lisbeth decided that she and Alec must get the store to rights and uanage things for the winter. In the spring perhaps—but it would be time mough to talk about it then. "The children don't know," said 'Lisbeth, "they don't know a thing. They didn't know about father's not being well even, and I put them to bed. It's strange that with the noise and everythiug they have not been down to see what the matter is. But I hey went after leaves today after school and got very tired. I suppose that is the reason. But we shall have to tell them in the morning." It was a bard drive that 30 miles in the dark, especially as neither of the oien knew the way very welL Often at crossroads they got out and anxiously stndied the guideboards by the light of matches. But in many cases tbe old painted signs were so weather worn that tbe directions could not be distinguished, and in other cases the fingers manifestly pointed in a wrong direction. It was a case of drive hard and trust in God, and the result justified their faith, for the 30 miles were made in a little less than six bours over a rough road and up many steep hills, and the unlucky wheelman was dispatched on his journey by tbe 1 o'clock train. About 1 o'clock he stopped at a farmhouse for dinner and to give his horse a feed of some oats he had with him. When be took out the oats, he saw the luncheon bag and immediately looked to see what waa inside. There were two sandwiches and several doughnuts and some ginger cookies. Down among them was a little black thing that looked like a beetle. He put his band in to pick it out and found it was his dollar bill Now it was bis turn to be surprised and embarrassed and roused. He could never offer it to her again. He wondered if she bad been offended and took this way of showing it. For a moment he was angry with hex. Then he bad an impulse of admiratiou. He ended with a feeling of deep and uncomfortable doubt. He aBked himself if Maud could by any possibility be in love with him But, no, it was preposterous. He dismissed it from his mind, but determined never again to see her. The charming little romance he had spun about bet was spoiled. "You'd better go to sleep. Alec. It's tough tramping over the mountains for the first time. I'm pretty stiff myself, and we must be off early tomorrow. It's a good thing we're got all the cattle in." •uch a free heritage? Bnt suddenly a sharp, cool breeze oame along, pu.shing the sultry air before it, and Alec glanced op through the trees to see black, scudding clouds. The ■on "was covered, and it was growing darker, but in this dank forest he had not noticed it Then came a long, low rumble of thunder, and Alec slipped quickly down from his granite throne and began to look for the right way home. After escaping from Miss Dora Thistle Alec returned to the house, instinctively climbed the attio staira and settled com fortably into a large rocking chair on the balcony. The journey home was a long and tedious one. One of the men had to walk all the way, and they took turns. At the end of the first day they were so fagged out that George decided to secure a pen if possible in which to keep the cattle for the night, and at last succeeded. The noxt day one of the steers ran siway, and while ten miles from home they were obliged to drive the other cattle into« neighbor's barnyard and go to hunt for the missing one, which they found along near midnight and drove back to the others. They reached Ashton about 10 o'clock in the evening of the third day. The store was still lighted, and George seemed in exceedingly cheerful spirits as they drew near. As the light of sunset died away his eyes reared on the glooming valley below, with its church steeples, white :ind pointing. And he coald descry the farmhouses with great rambling barns, and here a little clump of village, and there a red brick schoolhouse, while in between were smooth, mown fields and stretches of grain and vegetables, and then low level meadows snrronnded by thick pine groves, now almost wrapped in darkness. And here below was the great forest he had visited, stretching unbroken for miles straight away, that forest that was sister to the mountains.fie wan helping to distribaie the letters and stC«iri an far back behind the tier of pigeonhole boxes an possible, uot looking op, but working away .asily. Fr uj time to time he ga\e a •uick glance to bee wbut Miss Thistle vas do ng "Well, yon know George Mareton, that come in here night. I'm al most sure she's in love with him, though she's never let ou that the in, and he doesn't know it. But she nays she won't never marry while father's like he is now. She says if he should die suddent the store won Id be all broke np if she was married and gone, and then me and the children might come to the Lord only knows what—the poor bouse, for all I know. He could not find it and began to be ' somewhat distressed thereat as he harried here and there, looking and wondering, when saddenly he saw something that changed the whole current of his thoughts. There, not two rods away, wholly unconscious of his presence, sat 'Lisbeth on a low stone, her chin buried in her hands, which in turn were supported by her elbows resting ou her knees. She seemed looking vaguely into ■pace. Alec thought she had been crying. Her chip bat had fallen off beside her, and her whole attitude was that of Alec watched the noisy train disappear in the darkness. Then he slowly left the little station, untied bis horse and made his way to that livery stable where he had pnt np Mr. Bennett's horse the day be and Maud came to see tbe circus. Alec said be wanted a night's lodging and mentioned the name of Mr. Biggins of Asliton Centre, whereupon be was at once conducted to a stuffy bedroom at tbe top of the house, and ten minuces later be was asleep. The letters were nil distributed, Mr. Biggius volunteered to Miss Thistle the airlD-y8' mail, and one by one the wait.jg gioap bat she did not ,{0. fche pretended to lie looking at mme -alien. Alec continned behind the letter •oxes, but it was getting tiresome. Ev■ry one bat Miss Thistle had gone, and .t last be felt obliged to come oat. Mr. Iiggins went in to his dinner, and only tleo wns left in the store—aloue with liss Thistle. "Let me tell them," said Alec. "Doesn't even Jim know?" "Not a word." Then they put cmt the light, and together stumbled out in the dark to the stairs. At the top of the landing, as rbey separated to go to their own rooms, they pressed each other's hands warmly and lingered a moment, then said as oheery a good night as possible and were gone. Here were wealth, success, activity; fonder were the great rich hotels, and there the railroads with their spidery raw linn tiains. If one conld bat grasp this wealth, this activity, this mass of life, the world won Id b« conquered. " 'Lisbeth's a good girL I think she's glad yon're come, 'cause if anything did happen to father you could sort of help ber look after things. They drove the cattle into the great barnyard at the rear, and then George bronght the horse aronnd to the front of the store, while Alec entered the building at the rear. As everything in the kitchen was still and dark, he made bis way into the dining room, where sapper was spread for himself and George, though no one was there, and then be went on into the store, where 'Lisbetb must be. No doubt the children had gone to bed, and possibly Mrs. Higgins also. But before be reached home he reoeiv ed a still more disagreeable shock. A* he drove slowly along not half a milt from Ashton a carryall loaded with gaD summer boarders whirled past him. Be looked up suddenly, and bis eyes met those of a young lady be bad known in New York. Whether she recognized him or not be could not tell, but evidently she had come to spend a few weeks in the neigbbotbood, for tbe carryall watthe property of a farmer whose name Alec knew and who came every day to the store. Probably Miss Dora Thistle had arrived tbe previous day. It wa» impossible to suppose that she wouldn't rootigmze him sooner or later. Be bad never contemplated this sort ot thing. What would sbe tbink of him, working in this garb among such people? And what queer stories would she not set afloat among the people in New York who bad known him? Be fairly hated her. Be wanted to escape somewhere anywhere. Be thought he had cut loos« from New York forever. That New fork should come to tbe retired littlC village of Ashton to spend its holidays be never contemplated. The calm serenity of the place seemed broken. Balf tbe oh arm was gone. Be was almost surly as he entered the kitchen after pnttiug up bis horse and found 'Lisbeth scrubbing the floors. It was after 6, and supper was on the ta ble, but there bad beeu visitors at tbe tavern, and 'Lisbeth bad been delayed in her work. When sbe looked up to welcome Alec back with a smile, be saw how tired ber face was. Be was sorry for her and straightway forgot bis own 'roubles. abandon—a huddled buncb. Sbe was by no Means graceful, but most touching. His heart went out to ber at a bound, and be would have liked to go to her immediately and have comforted her. But be dare not. Be was almost afraid "I dunno as she'd like to have me have tolt you all this, but I thought as you ought to know, so's to be prepared if anything happened to him. Be's bad those tits now and again ever since. Be had one only last month, and I expec' this hot weather he'll have another The next morning be smiled to himself as be thought that now be was no longer afraid of Mrs. Bennett and would if anything be glad to tease ber a bit, not thinking that sbe would doubtless punish Maud for his shortcomings. Be was soon dressed and had bad bis breakfast. A little after 9 o'clock be was driving out through the narrow lane at a smart trot. Presently 'Lisbeth came and Mat in a jbair opposite him, bat she did not -•peak to him. nor did be address ber; indeed be scarcely looked at ber. Yet be was glad she was there. She had an atmosphere of home affection about ber D bat comforted bim aud made him feel that Ashton was really his home. Be had already adopted her in bis heart as bis sister, and bo could not perceive that she rebelled against the relationship, though she gave absolutely no sign of her own feelings. As soon as she saw that they were lone she went directly toward the ounter, behind which was Alec. He tood gnniJy back, both bauds in bis routers pockets. She looked, him sharpy in the eye, carje close up to the ouutrr and leaned Cfter it. so that it ade a crease across the front of her ummer skirt, rested her hands nearly t the opposite side of the counter and .aid in a clear whit*per: By daylight the next morning Aleo was dressed and down in the kitchen. And there be fonnd 'Lisbeth before him bard at work by lamplight in bar pantry, getting ready a large baking, for the bouse would be crowded during the next three days by neighbor* and friends, and of oourse tbey must be fed, and as everything had happened so suddenly 'Lisbetb was not prepared. to make his presence known, and began to think of slipping off without her observing him, when he recollected that he did not know the vay; that it was aboot to rain, and that at any rate be ought not to leave her here to get wet because of her melancholy, however ■acred it might be. He 1 ' taken but a few steps toward her soon." It is perhaps uncertain bow long she would have rambled on bad not Lipbet h appeared in the doorway and said sbe was going to bed. Alec wondered if she bad overboard. He felt more soiry for ber than ever and wished she knew be understood and sympathized. But be did not know how to convey it to ber, so he returned her a curt good night and went off to bed too. To his surprise, he found the store full of strangers. Alec read in their faces that something had happened, and be bnrried on toward the outer door, where he could see 'Lisbetb and Mrs. Higgins looking into the dark for himself and George. As he reached the door be made a sound, and Mrs. HigginE turned suddenly and fell on his neck sobbing as she mumbled out: By half past 10 bis horse was wearily making his way into the yard before the Bennetts' bouse and barn. Aleo looked at the door, but seeing no one there be dropped his eyes. But when he looked again there was Maud standing just as she did when he first saw ber, but now ahe bad u smile on her faoe. He did not recall ever having seen her smile before, but now the smile was very broad, and be was obliged to smile too. He stopped bis borse before the door, and while still sitting in the wagon said: When at nigbt they reached the pasturage they found half a dozen steers and heifers that George greeted familiarly and which came to eat the salt in his hand. He was disappointed to find so few. But these were secured, and then they prepared themselves for the Alec consulted with her about keeping the store closed till after the funeral. He thought it was only proper as a sign cf respect. But 'Lisbetb said people woold have to have something to 'at, and as there was no other place at svhich they could conveniently buy, the Dtore must be kept open. Besides there was the iftail to be distributed. They finally concluded that if the store were open in front for an hour at soon whan the mail came tbat would be Buffioient. The back door might be left open the rest of the day, and if any one were in need he could come in that way. flao . when she beard the breaking of thC •mall branches tinder his feet and turnec and aaw him. She smiled sadly at him and be remarked prosaically: "It looks as if it were going to rain If we don't hurry home, we shall bC drenched." "I don't think it will rain," Bait 'Lisbetb in a harsh, monotonous tone a she glanced np at the scudding cloudi wbich could be seen through the trees "The shower is going ronnd." A few big drops cams bouncing dowi upon tbem before she had finished, bu she assured Alec they meant nothing. "She has been thinking of the black smith,"said Alec to himself, and, a for "Lisbeth, she seemed to feel that hi had read ber through and through. She rose rather sullenly to hei feet, however, and started off, bidding Alec come on. He followed ber, sorry, aympathizing, wishing be could comfort ber, help her, at least show his feeling. But she was silent and forbidding. It was impossible to speak. They tried to talk of indifferent things, but conversation failed, and as they walked through the avenue of trees which formed the road they both lapsed into utter silence. That evening about 9 o'clock, as Aleo was thinking of going to bed, he stumbled into the parlor from the piazza, where he had been sitting on a nail keg. At flrat the room seemed to him deserted, bat soon he beard a half stifled sob, "Mr. Howe, you needn't pretend you lon't know me. I recognized you at the lirat glance when you were in the cart yesterday. I beard you had left home, t am proud of you. CHAPTER XVI. FIB OOE3 TO THE MOUNTAINS FOR THE She smiled sweetly, and Alec was forced to smile in return and suy some- Miss Dora Thistle did sot call at the store the next day, and the day after a bright young man from the city arrived and quite absorbed her attention for the rest of the time she spent at Ashton. Alec was evidently a great puzzle to ber, and she felt that it was best to let him alone. Besides, he had grown very stupid, and Mr with his white flannel suit, brown shoes aud very broad brimmed bat with a red band, was always interesting. Mr. Melton did not mow Alec, and once or twice was rath r rude to him, until Miss Thistle whiskered in his ear; then he only stared lard at Alec aud shook his bead. CATTLE. CHAPTER XIII. "Oh, Mr. Howe, I knew you would come; I knew you would come! You've always been that good to me and Li'jbeth, and even Joe spoke well of you. I knew you would come!" HK GOES TO FAVONIA AND CAIJ.fi ON MAUD. The next morning Alec was down to breakfast at 0 o'clock, and by half past 6 was sweeping oot the store. It was a dirty pluce—appeared as if it had not been properly cleaned out in years—and Alec proposed a thorough over hauling. It had a discouraging look and a discouraging odor. On one side were piled up calicoes, suspenders, women'D« petti coat* and other things useful to the human being, tome of tbem being rakes and scythe snaths. On the other side were sugar, nails and horseshoes, tobacco, candy and groceries. And the odor was a mingled one of lamp oil, molasses, cottonseed meal and phosphate fertilizer.„ jlllli Pr , i;;! r I a lH ' " pi "I was driving by, and I thought I would stop in and see you all a few minutes." % "What is the matter?" asked Alec, looking at 'Ligbetii, and involuntarily drawing away somewhat from Mrs. Higgins' embrace. ' x . , D - "W*~: B - '■Mm* , l^JM "I am the only one at home," said Maud shyly. "Mother has gone to the store, and father and the boys are in tbe field. Won't you come in?" 'Lisbetb turned a sad, pale face on him, and said shortly : The children would be down shortly, and Alec walked out toward the front of the house to meet them when they came down the stairs. 'Lisbeth, he knew, dreaded to see them. And very •soon they came, all clattering down the steps together, laughing and shouting, unmindful and unconscious of the dead. "Father's had a fit afld died about two hours ago. We've been waiting for you to come. Where is George?" Alec thought he would and jumped out to hitch his horse. Maud led tbe way into the kitchen, but did not offer bim a seat there. On the other side of the bouse was the garden, and about the back door was a bit of lawn. Here she placed a small rocking chair for Alec and bade him lie seated. She herself stood in the doorway, awkwardly trying to find something to say. "There," answered Alec, for George bad come up in the dark and was standing on the step. 'Lisbeth turned and stood facing him. But before the summer wub past the young men o( the village made shy ad vaneen to Alec, and he got on to very friendly terms with those he met every Sunday in lim habbath school class. "Oh, Alec has come back!" cried Flo f nd Bessie together as they ran to meet !Dim, and Jim smiled a welcome. One little girl took one hand and the other cbe other hand, and they would have asked him innumerable questions, but . something serious in his face stopped them. So they looked at him intently to see what the matter was. He said he had something to tell them if they would come into the parlor with him. He sat down in a chair by the front window and put an arm about each little girl as they stood on either side of him, while Jim stood with dignity directly in front of him, almost touching his knees. But Alec wenl bravely to work, and between dealing 2 cents' worth of sngar to one little girl and a 25 cent shoe sole to another and serving divers other stray customers he managed by noon to have moved everything on one side of the store and swept. "Fatliar'i dead," she said in the same monotonous tone in which she had addressed Aleo. "He died in one of those fits about two hours ago. We've teen waiting for you. The neighbors ame in and offered to heJp, but they crould do nothing." One day Alec decided to coufide his personal doubts and difficulties to George Marston, the blac ksmith He was quiet ly looking about to see if he could find any remunerative employment or occupation, and thought that George might suggest some idea. Mr. Higgins still gave him only his board and lodging, though he had freely allowed Alec to take things from the store on credit. "Won't you have a glass of milk?" she asked. "Did you catcb the train?" she asked 'irst They prepared their lunch together. night. A campfire was built, over which George made tea and cooked some eggs. The treasures of 'Lisbeth's basket were fully explored, the mare was unharnessed and tied out to gram, for there was a little dried grass outside the pasture bars, though very little inaide. Then the boys got their blankets and sat about the fire talking vaguely as the twilight deepened and the stars lime out. Both seemed happy, but Alec was almost ecstatic. When, a little later, they made their rude beds on the wagon bottom, he lay awake a long time looking up into theclear, still sky. Never before had he slept under the open stars, and now with regret he wished fortune had not always provided him with a bed in those first struggling days. "Yes, and got the $5," he answered ■vith a laugh. Alec said he would. He ica* helping to C11*tribute the letter». "I will nit here," she said and took her place op the doorstep. She did not lead in the conversation, and Alec was more embarrassed than he had ever been before a city girl in hi8 life. He wanted *o nay someihiLg about the dollar bill, and he wanted to ten nor now ne was situated now, for he knew she was curious to hear. At last he broke ont: "Supper is on the table. I waited a : it-tie, thinking perhaps you might •ome." thing civil. He scarcely knew what it jvaa. Again she looked at him with her jiercing eyes and said : "1 am proud of you." He shuttled awkwardly like a countryman, as he te'r. Others had crowded around, much to Alec's annoyance, but 'Lisbetb and Airs. Higgins and George seemed to think it inly natural that they should. But 'Lisbeth said in ttie same tone as before: Joe HiggimD kept out of the way as much as possible while Alec was cleaning. He never took any part in cleaning anything, though he said he was glarl to have it done, because it made Lisbetli feel better. Women hat! queer notions, and '.Lisbeth was always fussing about how dirty the store looked. For him, he didn't see but it was all right so long as he kept the sugar and flour and things tightly covered up. Nothing ever went dirty out of his store—unless it were things like lamp chimneys that were expected to be dirty—and be didn't see what difference a little dirt round the outside of things made anyway. Alec proceeded to wash his face and lands in the tin basin on the bench outride the door, and •won was earing a learty supper. Maud's lunch bag was mtouched. But after supper he gave be things to 'Lisbeth, and thinking bout it that night he decided to for;ive Maud. "Ask him for (5 a week," said George when Alec mentioned this. "You deserve it, and he will never give it to you unless you ask him." .» out the form of a girl lying on the old •ofa. It most be 'Lisbetb, and ebe vas crying. This time Alec oould not reatrain bin sympathies, and be walked directly across tbe room to her side, where he let his hand rest on her arm ia the dark. "Is it yon, 'Lisbetb?'' he asked as oheerily as he could. She immediately sat upright, bnt made no answer. "Tell me what's the matter," he said kindly. "Perhaps I can help yon. I'm so sorry for yon. You've been awfully good to me, 'Lisbeth,"be blurted out and put bis hand out to her in the dark, bnt she repelled it. "Yon don't know anything about it," she answered in a broken voice, "and it wouldn't do any good if you did. You O&n do nothing for roe but go away and let me alone. You've got plenty at things to think about for yourself. You've got a job to earn your board and bed for a little while, and you think yon are as independent as a landlord. Bnt you doo't know bow long your job's going to last nor where you re going to get tbe money to pay for" them very clothes you have on. There! I didn't mean to say that, bat it's tbe gospel truth, and you better understand it now M well as any time. I like yon, and I've tried to help you, bnt I'm only a girl, ■lid I can't do much. " Alec was completely undone by this ■ndden turning of tbe tables. Be mumbled something, felt the tears coming into his own eyC s and began stumbling buck out of tbe room. 'Lisbeth eat quietly ou tbe sofa and made uo sound m movement. tt tb* donr 4nwiitiml* »•' " and at the farther Bide of the room made "I think it noble of you to strike for rourself like this. You needn't ishamed. " "Come in and have you;' supper. I've bad it waiting for yoti. Come in, 3eorge. Don't talk about going off now. Come in. Supper's all ready. " "The fact is, I caine to see yon." Ho hesitated at the end of this sentence, for he was in doubt whether to address her as Maud or Miss Bennett. He compromised by saying neither. She looked at him in blank inquiry, and he perceived that he must go on. "I owe yon something,'' he said and fumbled in his pocket for a dollar he had received from the tavern keeper among the change for bis $5 bill. As he did so he glanced hastily at Maud and saw that her face was almost white, was excited and evidently didn't understand what he 8be drew back a little and looked tround the store. Alec asked Mr. Higgins for the addition of $o a week, and the request was promptly accorded. "What is it?" asked Flo impatiently. "Has anything happened?" CHAPTER XVII. TOK OBSEQUIES OF JOE BIGGIN'S. "Yes," said Alec. "Something sad has happened." After supper that evening Alec wantered into the store, and finding no one trot Mr. Higgius, who was lying on bis Dack on the counter as usaal, he gave lim a little description of the drive, «od inquired concerning several business matters. And as he talked he could iot help remembering what Mrs. Hig(ins had said that Sunday evening ibout the old gentleman's having fits. Che old fellow looked at him pretty iharply one or twice, and seemed pnz/.led by some strange expression on his face. Conversation lagged. There was a long silence, and Alec was thinking of going ont on tbe veranda when Joe Higgins burst out: "Thin must be a horrid place to stay in all the time. I am jnstproud of you," die said. "I thought you was a queer chap to work all summer on nothing a week, ' said Joe, "but if you wanted to do it I wasn't saying nothing." • As the doctor and a neighbor lmd per'orined the* necessary offices for the dead, there was naught to do now but eat supper and go to bed. Kind women followed Mrs. Higgins and 'Lisbeth fairly into the dining room, aud had to be assured mauy times that there was nothing to b« done, uo assistance needed, that they were perfectly comfortable for the night now that George and Alec /■ad come home. And at last, as George and Alec were finishing their supper, the four were left alone in the dining room, aud Mrs. Higgius and 'Lisbeth .-ank into chairs at the table with the young men. Mrs. Higgins by tutus wept on the virtues of her deceased husband. All thre« tried to comfort her, but in vain. She became hysterical, till 'Lisbeth spoke to lier: "What is it?" asked Flo again, but the others were silent and fearful. Alec thought it about time to turn the •onversation and remarked that it was i pleasant day, though rather hot. " Your papa has gone to heaTen." "Is be dead?" said Bessie, looking at Alec with great round eyes. The sharp October frosts had turned all the oiaple leaves near let and all the elm and chestnut leaves yellow, and the ivy leaves yellow and scarlet together. It was time to bring home the young cattle from the mountains, and George Marston and Alec were deputed 'to go for them for the neighborhood. George Marston was considered the best hand at coaxing cattle in the village, and he in tnrn asked Alec to go with him.- Joe Higgins readily let the yonng man off, for he had cattle of his own to bf brought. They were to take George Marston'8 Concord wagon and bay mare, a first rate roadster. In the wagon wen plenty of blankets, so that they mighi -deep a night on the bottom of it if neeo be, and oats for the mare and a bif lunch basket that 'Lisbeth prepared. I: xmtaiued, Alec knew, a lot of her gooi thiugs—ginger cookies and currant jell\ md huckleberry jam, besides more solid nutriment, and there was a big jug of Alec thought 'Jjisbtth worked herself to death. Her part of the house never looked dirty. And he looked curiously at Joe Higgins, as if he were looking at a man almost in tbe next world. Moreover, everything was narrow and pinched—only nature was luxuriant—and Alec wondered how on earth a fortune could ever be made out of the penny's worth of this and the twopennies' worth of that, with scarce ever an order above a few shilling*. "I just adore the country," she said rapturously, "but I've been a little lonely till I saw you yesterday. 1 came only day before yesterday. Poor mamma couldn't come. I'm practically all alone, though Mrs. Bent ley is supposed to be my chaperon. But I shan't be lonely now that I've found you. There is a lovely wood back of Mr. Fairley's house, and I've already found a beautiful walk." The next day they were scouring the woods, each searching in a different direction for the missing cattle. It was one of those warm October days when the sunshine seems yellowest of all the year A few rustling dead leaves fluttered underfoot, and dry branches broke, while partridges started up on every side, winging low along the ground or running with lowered head*. "Yes, he is dead!" answered Alec. There was silence for a moment or two. Then Flo, with childish bnt innocent heartlessness, asked: "Is that all you had to tell os?" "Isn't that enough?" answered Aleo solemnly, perhaps a little shocked. "You won't see your papa any more. He's gone, and he won't come back again. Aren't you sorry?" meant. "You gave me that dollar bill, didn't you?" he asked, with a smile, looking straight at her. "I don't know but I should have starved if it hadn't been for that." He looked up at Jim and saw great tears in the boy's eyes. The little girla looked up at him, too, and as they did so the tears rolled down his brave cheeks. "Ha, young un, I've been wondering what you've been look ng at me so queer for. I guess the women folks have been telling you I was one foot in the grave. Hey? Ain't that so?" "But I »m a laboring man now, you know. Miss Thistle," said Alec a polo getically. Here and there one might catch glimpses up the gorges of the mountains, revealing a splendor and a gorgeousiiess that must remain in memory till death of iven the most unimaginative. It seemed •) if Dame Nature were a fine lady iupecting the most sumptuous materials Dr her winter's druses, and here they ere spread out before her in mngnili;Dnt abundance, as if this were the varebouse of the gods. Fold on fold ley lay high up the mountain sides and jwii the gorges, now reel, now yellow, As he went about the store he remembered very vividly the desjieration of bis first days in the village and \v.;.- mightily thankful for his present vantage. But nevertheless he had desperate fits of homesickness, and £iDr a dav or The color now flooded her face in succession to the palJor iu an almost painful scarlet, and she sat perfectly still, not moving a muscle, even to turn her eyes away, though they seemed glazed and sightless. This was a new experience to hpr, /or which she was totally unpreparee The thought of his suspecting her as the giver had never once entered her mind. Alec saw and under- Stood, and his heart went out toward her more than ever. "But that doesn't matter in the least," responded the young lady, with condescending magnanimity. Alec blushed and stammered in a way that evidently quite satisfied Mr. Higgins."Mother, stop! Stop, mother!" Alec told Jim of the conversation with 'Lisbeth the night before and of their intention to keep on with the store if possible. He gravely wondered if be ought not to stay out of school to help. But Alec thought that if he worked hard out of school hours that wonld be sufficient. "I can't leave the store, you see," Alec explained. But Alec bad been watching the face of 'Lisbeth. Not a tear lrad escaped her eyes; her face was pallid and drawn in tense lines. two he looked about in vain for anypos sihle wnrk by which he might earn a little money. In the meantime he said nothing to Mr. Higgins about honrs, and as there t-eetned plenty to do it' cleaning up and putting things in order and mastering prices and what not h*; stuck pretty closely to that. "Oh," she said softly, looking out of the door. "But you can come and see me Sundays. I am sure you don't work on Sundays. We can have all Sunday afternoon together, and I shall be here three weeks at least," she answered brightly and with such cooing good humor that Alec smiled and yielded. His only proviso was that she wouldn't toll Mrs. Beutley or let the people in New York know how she had discovered him. Nobody knew where he was, he said. "Don't you take any stock in what women tell you. Women have no earthly idee how to bluff the devil. Why, bless your heart, I've had them fits 40 year, and they never found it out till jest three years ago. You say I'll die in 'ine o' 'em some day. Course I'll die when my time comes, but there's no use in dying before your time. What is it Scriptur' says?—there's a time to be merry, and a time to be sad? I s'pose there's a time to have fits and a time not to have 'em, and a tin* to die in I'ua and a tinw not ta Alec suggested to Mrs. Higgins that he should help her into the parlor, and she would gratefully have accepted his assistance, but 'Lisbeth jumped up and -aid: sweet cider. It was a very gloomy household. The children tagged about after 'Lisbeth, who had to watch her baking and every now and then receive some kind friend or neighbor who had come in to help or to offer sympathy. Some of them brought pies and cakes, knowing that 'Lisbeth must be short with so many peor1" *r -A The men came "You needn't try todenyyou did it," be said lightly, but awkwardly. "It They would be gone no doubt for three days, if not four or five, for it was 80 miles to the Mountains and hunting cattle and driving them home are very slow work. They would start early on Monday morning and reach the pasturage by evening. The next day would come the hunt for the stray ones, and th$re was Suddenly Aloe came out on a little lake, held in a lofty niche between great ledges. Tbe dry leaves fluttered on its edges, ripples from falling twigs reen or brown was awfully good of you, and I know "I'll go with mother." The tavern was chiefly a stopping place for tourists and other travelers driving to tbe mountains or engaged in ooaching {unties. They would stop to rest their horses and nave them watered -—* fed. and they usually wanted a there is no one else who would have done it. As I said. I don't know but I "No, you stay with George," said Mrs. Higgius, even at this moment thoughtful of the proprieties to her guest. should have starved if it hadn't been i for that. But uow I'm earning my board I and lodging working in the store at |Aabtoii * last night I earned or insects or an obstreperous frog .-an playfully aud lightly over its smooth surface, and it looked so cool and calm "Ueorge cnn take care of himself. aiuj clear I Aud there yonder, standing Alec cuii look after lum, suid ' Lihbeth She nun led beamingly fruiii tinder her meeiul cliiD hat u nhn went out the (Continued cm page 2.) 't. |
Tags
Comments
Post a Comment for Pittston Gazette