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Show If I The Girl Who Couldn 't By JOHN ACKWORTH (Author of "Olog Shop Ohroniclos," "The Mlndor," "Prom Crooked Boots,' Etc.). II . f " Fought, Auntie? Fought?" Mary Astloy's great eyes widened out, and sho sat up in hor chair stiff with sud-. sud-. den excitement. ' . "Ay I liko too mad bulls, and ono on 'em's black eyes and t. 'other's goin' ' ;about with ft stick." Aunt. Bet stood .on the hearthrug before tho great farm kitchen flro, poker still in hand, whilst 'her hard rod fuco gleamed with sly triumph. . "But not not about me?" and Mnrv, white to tho lips, was most gen-. gen-. uinely distressed. "Chut woman, what else? Why .'you've got 'em all on n stick, everj' .rnck-man of 'em sly boots! " and then sho propped tho poker into its place, shook her head in ticklod admiration, ' and continued, "IL13', I've heard of you ouiet ones afore, but I never saw it dono so. clovor never." " "Auntie, don't. Oh, what have I done?"' But Bcfcl.m drew up hor chair, put hor feet ot. tli- fender, propped hor . chin on hpr hands as sho stared into the fire, anti shook her head. "It's beautiful. Beautifnk" Mnrv had risen, her little hands I clenched and her face quivering, i "IIow can you, Auntie! I've never I've Bcarcelv spoken to them." "Good lass," that's tho style! It licks Kittv Walton! it licks iverything! " and "tho big hard woman hugged her knees and chuckled again. "Oh don't. Auntie, it's wrong, it's cruel! Oh, I wish I'd nevor come!" and Mary dropped back into her chair end covered her face with her hands. Aunt Bet still held converse with tho red embers, grinning and tittering to herself her-self hoe-rcs of tho acuto pain she was giving. JdenJy sho put out her bony arm, drew rnry's chair nearer, patted her encoui singly on tho kneo and cried: "It's grand, lass, it's clivcr; coma now which of 'cm is it to be?" But Mary behind her wet fingers was thinking rapidly. Aunt Bet was what is called a managing woman, which is ' often only another name for a brutally willful and domineering woman; she had managed the farm and the village and everything in it. not excluding the verv vicar himself, ever since she came io Boskill; nobody ever crossed the will of Bethia Langley and prospored. And Mnry was in her hands, dependent absolutely ab-solutely upon her and the recipient of man' most unexpected recent benefits from her. It was this bustling woman who had come to her in her father's last illness, engaged a nurse and a specialist; spe-cialist; had buried him as she would have wished her father to be buried and then whisked her off to the seaside, dressed hor as she had never dreamed j' of being attired; had indulged and nursed her back to health and spirits and given pretty plain' hints as to the disposal of her own savings. She had no friend or rolat.ive on earth save this hard, blunt, willful mother's si6tcr, aud her .sensitivo nature folt powerfully tho I constraints ot gratitude. "Oh, Auntie, don't; I couldn't; I - ; never thought of such a thing." "Then time you did. Whv. woman, I browt you here o' purposst " . "A-u-n-l-i-c!" . "What else. What else is a woman ' for but to get. married?"' Mary began to see tho meaning of . tho strange, stormy but brief married ; life of hor rolative and she felt as though some horrid net was tighteniug its meshes about her. "Oh, Auntie, what nonsense! I've scarcely spoken to them and the3"'ve never hinted at anything not one of them." "No, nnd they never will." "Nevor? I don't well, whv talk about it then?" and Mary's sickening . , distress was almost forgotten in dazed perplexity. "Tchut, woman, don't talk to me. We know, don't we?" and Bet, frown -. ing with sly mystery, nudged her .niece's knee significantly. "Know? But how how can a ' woman " ' "Ger out! that's i' bodks and papers and daddlin tales, you know, we all know, that if iver t 'job's done V worn- an has to do it, hasn't she?" Mary dropped back in her chair and sighed helplessly. "But, Aunt, tho - woman can't it's the man who has to do it." "Is it? You know better. You kuow as well as T do that ivery match as wur iver made t'woman had to make , it." "Oh, Auntie!" "Ger out! Stop your silly daffing and hearken to me." Aunt Bethia had risen to her feet to keep control of her ,. rising temper "Did you iver know a chap come up to't' scratch without being browt? Tell mo that." Mary opened an amazed mouth to protest, and failed; so Bethia went on . Doesn't a woman wed who sho likes, , and when nnd how she likes? Wouhf 5 VrVv,or.bc ai,y weddin's if t' woman didn't, bring 'em to?" and as Marv seemed about to reply she stopped her with an angry gesturo" Chuff, woman wom-an stop your greening and shamming, if iver it s done t' woman has to do bettor " soouer you.' shapiu' tho Mary foil forward elbows on knees and shuddered. ".Haven't you five of 'cm to go at, all as solt after a lass as a bairn after ' a butterscotch? You'vo.a chance in . a million 'el, and it's Providence and nowt else." i "7." ,,?n't ,ncan Auntie, it's shocking!" "Shockin' my log! You talk like vour sort-headed father. It's Providence, Provi-dence, I tell you. Wurn't they all hero afore you'd been in t 'house two hours, and hevn't they been moidering about I' placo iver sin? Why, woman, the' stand in t' vard liko lads at a hiring an' you can havo t' best i't' bunch for cockin' your linger; so pick ono out an' let 'em fight." t Bothia's cruel reference to her late idolized father stung Mary to tho quick, but sho was learning caution liko tho rest with this rough and reckless woman, wom-an, and so sho choked back her tears and was silent. Aunt Bet was perplexed; per-plexed; this was a new type of female and she had not got her bearings yet, so sho changed her tactics and spoke more gently. "I -niver seed nowt liko it; some folk won't have luck whon it drops i' big lumps into their mouths; any senscr-blo senscr-blo lass 'ud givo t'hair off her head for a chanco Tike yours. Thcro's Bob Chappie," she went on, her small eyes gloaming with mercenary eagerness, "with a farm nnd a farriery to boot, and tho two Clayton lnds wi' twelve hundred apiece if they've a penny, nnd Bod Tom Lee with a freehold coming to him, and Will Knllack makkin' tuna o' money, boss breedin' all limod liko cock linnets. Why, woman, they'vo hardly been off t'doorstan' sin you comof " Tho voluble creaturo paused lor a moment, and as Mary was too shocked to answer sho sat glowering at tho fire and following hor own thoughts. "Ay, it 's a rum thing," sho ruminated, "I've thowt on it times and times, seven farms i' Crowbcck an not a lass i' none on 'em thor " "There's Lizzie Hallatt!" interjected interject-ed Mary faintly, and with the hope of diverting tho conversation. "Liz? You let her alono, she's a booked woman." "Booked?" and woman's curiosity for the moment got tho better of Mary's distress. "Ay, booked! Booked for our Ben. Only the soft thing doesn't' know it yet." "Auntie!" "Ay, well that wero a slip, but it is so, Lis 'ud a had him long sin, but it didn't suit my ticket; let me got you fixed up an' I'll soon sattlo them." "Bur. Lizzie?" "Liz Halleck knows which sido her bread is buttered, ony woman i' th' wold could twist our Ben round her finger, fin-ger, but she knows she'll have to ax mo .aforo she gets him." "But Ben?" "B-c-n!" Botu made a contemptuous contemptu-ous gesturo of dismissal as though it were "sheer trifling to consider his possible pos-sible view of the case. "You've plenty plen-ty to pick from and tbcy'ro all da-cent da-cent well-set-up young fellows so tak your pick and be snarp about but they're here for their teas." The kitchen kitch-en door opened and big Ben Greg lounged in, followed bv three other young fellows who all fell to downright phoepishness as they caught sight of M.qrv. Bet had already commenced her usu al domineering chatter as she bustled about setting the table; and Mary who often assisted watched her opportunity, opportuni-ty, and then with averted face escaped upstairs, leaviug the visitors most uu-disguiscdly uu-disguiscdly chapfnllen. Closing nnd .locking her door, Mary dropped with a piteous wail upon the floor and gasped nnd shuddered ns she realized the yawning yawn-ing gulf before hor. She was not afraid of the clumsy young fellows downstairs and not repelled 1)3' their shy attentions, but she had been gently brod. Tn an unworldly atmosphere o'f idealism her gontlo mother and bookish father had tilled her mind with ideas which made lovo a divine passion and marriage the holiest of mj'stcries, and the first time 6he had eome into contact with tho outer world these things had been presented pre-sented to her in their most gross and sordid form. Bur. the shock, revolting though it was, was the least of her terrors. ter-rors. Aunt Bethia, impulsively generous gener-ous and indulgent, was wilful, 'coarsely and recklessly wilful it must bo acknowledged, ac-knowledged, in her "tantrums:" even Ben Greg, the master of the house, quailed before her. But sho was tho only thing that stood between her and destruction, and Mary was but .10 and had seen uotbing at all of tho world. She had nowhere to go if oho loft Boskill, Bos-kill, no one to fly to, and not the faintest faint-est idea of providing for herself. She had a lively sense of gratitude, however, how-ever, nnd could not ignoro her obligations obli-gations to her aunt. All the same, every ev-ery delicate fibre of her nature was in revolt against tho proposals that had been made to her, aud tho spirit they revealed; and kneeling thero sho felt as though filth was being poured over and she was to bo first defiled forever, and then sold liko ono of the pis on tho farm. 1 . Had she known, poor soul, that Bethia Beth-ia s personal reputation was involved in the transaction, she would have been more scared even than she was; for the truth must be told that Bethia, to strengthen her position with tho neighbors neigh-bors and the Greg family, had boasted lor years oi the position of her brother and the prospects of his only daughter, and when the end came she had taken the bii I by tho horns, calmly announced that Mary had sixteen hundred pounds, and brought her to Crowbeck to iustifv her boastings and marry her to "ono or other of the young farmers about; sacrificing sac-rificing to her pride and willfulness her own hard-saved little hoard as nn on- uZT-nK Hnfl Wa,fy A8cy, kneeling there in hor room, known that big Ben Greg, who was supposed to have lone passed the time of courting, was mad-y mad-y in lovo with her, her distress would have been oven deeper: and as it was hrnncfJ1 .PreCI?l,S8eCret ' OWU breast that made the prospect before hor more and more threatening. But there was a noise at her door and, whilst Marv sprang to hor foot and hastily brushed "back her tumbled brown hair, Aunt Bet was shaking the latch with surprise nnd impatience. "Come on." she bluaterod. as Mary let her in, "they're stoppin' to tea nnd 3'ou mun sample- 'era ower. I've set 3'our chair by Bob Ilallack" (she never could bo induced to pronounco the name proporl3) "lie's t 'shyest but he's t'niooast brass; tak no "nonticc of his blacked e3es. You mun limo him well, he's t' pick o' t' bunch." In a few moments Mary, looking limp and spiritless, but too much ot a woman to be afraid of young' fellows, entered tho kitchen preceded Ivy her noisy and triumphant relative. "A3', sit hero, lass. No, Bob, mnk room for her eh, what? Now let her alone! You chapB is so forrad." As Mar3r sank quiet- into her seat Bet stopped Bob's amazed protest; with a significant wink, and tho other males looked out at the wide window to hide their sheepish grins. CHAPTER II. A month later big Ben Greg was coming homo from market and just rounding the shouldor of Witchbarrow hill. He was uttcrl3' oblivious of the bright spring weathor, and was engaged in earnest conversation with the only person ho ever said much to his neat little maro. "It's a. fact, lass, T daresay- thou thought it niver wod come, but, it hna wi' a vengeance! Thy big soft mcs-tor's mcs-tor's i' love, lass, clean muddled and moiderod in it onco and for al and for over.-" With a flash of self-recollection he started and looked guiltily round, and then he shook his hend and resumed: "She's nobbut a little bit of a thing, white-faced towuified mite ns doesn't know a churn from a wozzel, and Nanco" here he dropped his voice in n sudden gush of confidence "I niver wanted a woman aforo and I's uivcr want ono again, and she wodn't look at mo! " Nanco chucked up her head in apparent ap-parent dissent, but her mastor was not to bo convinced. "I'vo tolled thee, now. Sho wodn't touch mo w' t' end of a stick. Why, woman, she'll want a parson or a doctor a gentleman, thou j knows." 1 At this point Nance sauntered absently ab-sently towards a fieldgate, which she-opened she-opened with her mouth and then pro-coed pro-coed along the hedge side towards Boskill- Bon, absorbed in his rumiuations, observed nothing and presently began again. "Thou's seen her thyself, Isaiice, her gurt e3'es and pretty IIol low! ' Nance had stopped with a jerk that nearly pitched him off, for there under the hedge, her face buried in the voung grass, lay Mary Astley. sobbing as though her heart would break. Beforo he could grasp the situation sho was on her foot and clinging pleadingly at his saddle side. "Oh, save me, Ben, savo me! I've nobody to help me and she's making me! Oh. I couldn't, I couldn't!" amt tho red-eyed face turned so pitcously up was smeared with tears and anguish. an-guish. "Wh3-, woman, woman!" and he was at her side and timidly supporting her W1.tti 1 a trembling arm in an instant. ,. ion aro good, Ben; vou are my lri.end. Ion will save me, won 't 3-011?'' do. woman?" 'You're good, Ben; you're kind and tnio and T like you; oh, I do like you! " .. r en! In her frantic fear she little knew what sho was saying. The great tender fellow licked Ins drv lips, looked helplessly at tho pleading' face and shook like a leaf. In a torrent of fresh tears and pitiful piti-ful agitation she told him her jumbled story, and ho going from gasp to gasp ns the case was made clear to him was alarmed to discover that nil tho other elements of the difficulty wero fading away before a: fury of mad jealousy jeal-ousy that was rising witnin him. ' But but it's a free country, woman, wom-an, and you needn't have 'em if you don t want, an aud, ay, and vou've brass of your own " iJ.'TA .rot a Pe?ny Bcn- hy, sho bought the very clothes I wear!" This was be3'ond him; his face became be-came n map of wrinkles and he put his hands on her shoulders and pushed her back that he might search dier face. Then as the truth broke upon him he felt himself dwindling he was as much afraid of his termagant housekeeper house-keeper as tho rest and ho felt he was going smaller and smaller as he reflected. reflect-ed. But the other thought was strongest; strong-est; his neighbors and chums were robbing rob-bing him, wero taking more than life itself and he trembled as ho recognized recog-nized the fierco nature of the emotions within him. "Slip's had her finger in iverv match Mint s been made 1' Crowbeck but what have they been doing? Have they bothered 3-011?" j N-o not much,' only Bob Hallatt hu4 2on fc mind uiem, Bon.' Bob? what's ho done?" His question was almost hissed out. Well, he but don't mind, Ben, I'm not afraid of them, he says he'll have me or swing for me." "Bigow that's Bob! But leave him to me and all oh Lorjus davs!" Ken had started and was now going hmp with fear, for thero a few yards S' p r ha,ml-m Njinc?'3 bridlestood indignSbnglnnng 0t them in hi"e9t '.'Oh. that's it is.it, we can't talc t' neighbor's lads cause we want t' traffor do we? Walk this way, Miss Mary stood still and panted, whilst roannS terronzef) Bc.n emitted a low kevD'y0 hCar me?" this in hfcbor fel3 ZF?ve t0 savc her I'fe. , M, 1 i Gofl! fiio moaned, audi S,nlt fihrank4 "cc raoro towards her shaking protector as Bethia began to stride towards them. Ben stood like one hypnotized and then with a growl , of defiance went forward to meet tho I denlvyHftifl !'-0y a- BeTrod" I denh lifted his eyes and caught those of tho approaching woman. Both of thorn stood still, both were visibly I panting. One long tenso moment, their faces set and while, thoir eyes niet in one terrible clinch. 'Then it was over" with .a hoarse, defiant, but dofoated Bey,ia bCn to waver, and by the time he reached the marc's bridle his aunt was in full retreat. I hev wero both calm and collected when a r an hour afterwards Ben took Mar3-indoors. For tho rest of tho evening even-ing th0 house was like a house of death Bethia, cowed and sullen in the kitchen spending most of her time in .' house tfflcinc it out of the maids. Dur-ng Dur-ng the next few days Ben scarcely ever ; lett tho premises, and plainly could not .rest a uiomeiiLjf.Mar3'..waS-oul olhis., . sight. Her appeal to him had been subtlest flattery, but a 'strong man's strong love had boon added io it and if only she would give him a chanco, ho would end his own suspense, Mary's intolerable in-tolerable .sufferings, and his aunt's long reign forever. But sho did not so un-courago un-courago him; inside tho liouso again all hor lear of Bethia had returned, and with it the torturing thought that she was causing disturbance in a peaceful household. It distressed her to observe that the servants were, not too cautious-ly, cautious-ly, taking hor side and paying court to her in a hundred little wa3t8 and as this must bo maddening to her aunt, sho lived in momentary dread of a terrible explosion. Then suddenly Bethia changed her tactics, became 'conciliator apologetic, and most extravagantly kind. The travelling tra-velling draper received orders for finer' that amazed him, and Bethia 's latest fad for shopping by post brought Consignments Con-signments ol expensivo jackets, costumes, cos-tumes, etc., which awoko all the woman in her one moment, and act her protesting protest-ing earnestl3' tho next. Had sho known, poor soul, that Bothia, mastered at last, was now turning her attention to the accomplishments of her designs with Ben lor bridegroom, instead of Bob Hallatt, her miscr3r would have been comnlete. The f0rl.nighl.l3' markol. dn3 enme round again and Ben, aftor carcfull.y sfudA'ing all tho weather signs anil glasses in tho evident hope that tho.y plight givo him an excuse for remaining remain-ing at homo, had a whispcrenl consultation consulta-tion with .Tano Ann, the leading domestic, domes-tic, and then hurried off to town. Mary saw him go with sinking heart, as. well sho might, for before Ben was fairlv round the Witchbarrow Lizzie Hallatt appeared on tho scene, Mar' was in- j vited into the seldom-used parlor, and then for over an hour Lizzio and Bethia poured out the vials of their wrath upon up-on the unluck3 girl. Sho escaped from them at last, fleeing like a wounded pigeon from tho hungry hawks and took refuge in hor own room. L3'ing thero on her bed crushed with despair and shame, with cverv opprobrious oppro-brious epithet that coarse women can fling at each other still ringiug in lu-r ears, Mar3 henrtil' wished she were with her buried parents; and after thinking and struggling for hours camo to the desperate resolve of escape. She knew little of tho world, had heard much of its harsh pitilessness, but death itself had become preferablo to life at Boskill. A few glances round at the window, tho trees 111 the orchard outside, and tho distaneo to tho ground satisfied her; and then she heard the sound of horse's hoofs and went Lo the far corner of tho window to peep. She could see Nance coming into the fold yard smoking hot and evidenth- great-h' great-h' disgusted at. the unprecedented hurry hur-ry of the homeward joiirne3'. The sound .of Bon's voice brought a gush of weak tears, and hastily brushing her hair and laving her hot. face in the basin she went down to face things out for a few short hours longer. Bethia was more fuss3' and gushing than ever, and called her "Honey," and ".I03'," and "Bairn" until even flic quiet Ben began be-gan to look suspicious. Tt seemed a long evening; Ben sitting sit-ting between tho wide opened window and tho fireplace, with his inseparable long nine for the most nart unlinhfrwl ' watched his "cousin" with .hungn-, anxious eyes, which he could not evade. Those quiet eyes, in fact, seemed to got upon her nerves and follow her over3 movement, and it was onlv when, half an hour earlier than her usual hour, sho escaped to her own room that, sho ceased to feel their haunting power. The house gradually becamo quiet. what noises llicrc wore wero in rooms upstairs, the distnnt yelping of a new pupnv Ben hnrl brought home for her wore tho onl sounds,' anil Mary lay dressed on the bed fighting her difficulties difficul-ties nnd nerving herself for her great effort. Then sho slippod on her lances nnd prayed, but I he onlv help that en mo was the dull, solidifying of her I previous resolve, and when sho arose to her feet the dio had been cast. She put .away tho well-filled nurso her mint had given her, gathered the few trinkets that were her very own, i paused in her tasks now and then, ns hor tightly strung nerves made her suspicious sus-picious of- the faintest outside sign, and then went to tho wide, low. window and unfastened tho middle panel. Hefkt"' shook as she twisted sheet3 aci ml ets together so that ehe couMsaff do her work, nnd her heart yulBj-ing yulBj-ing into her mouth. She crept MbR the window, looked out and UttC Then she shrank back with i ! Continued on Following Pjttfj YThe Girl Who Couldn't It. Continued From Prccoding Pago. Dl: c moan, and stood struggling with .. Jmcless fear for sevoral moments. 'She nerved herself, put tho upper . frfc of licr body through the -window, Panned tightly the twisted sheets, 11S itSSMk forward with a reckless plungo, tffitfor a moment in midair, her face PSarljKjig the wall, and then, with a laiViP nnd a prayer, let go. Her gasp 5 " reanio a frightful shriek, her falling JSSj ,dv collided with a warm human ' rao, great arms were wrnpped "round - ' ;r strong whiskers brushed her face, "Doii id in a moment all was blank. t ?i When sho recovered consciousness xaijg rarv was lying in bed, an(i ne sweet tTlB:)Hen sunlight flooded the room. She as stiff and aching, and as the events id 6 like evening came niching back upon " r she was startled at unusual sounds S tft , the house. There was much running o and down stairs, the bumping of ? saw things npon the floors, and Aunt u '?! etiila -s strident voice raised in shril-f shril-f fJl iflt protest Then tho room door burst h, 4 nen and Jane Ann came dancing in. l V'Sha's gooitiM I' owd baggage is WayDin " tben stopping she ran to tho veral; oor'.'and putting out her long red arm, lonta jined in a general Boo-ooo-qoo; finally C0Di jn came back to explain in excited coS itros that the Master had turned mas--ly J ir' nt last, and Bcthia was going .for r sin, Pod a"d ali nmff Thcv were seated on an old bench in ' orchard a week lator, sho quietly "'fc-ocboting, and ho puling dubiously at ;fl!jfl pipe. Thev was more color m her 1 Tbecks, but Bhe looked worried even -a l;J"''Thcn you couldn't put up wl' a far-5 far-5 rt" he was asking. bvifc"N'o oh, ves, I like you, Ben, I lovo tfoul You have been like a father to i ltifee " ittfTiHoaveu aud hell in a breath; poor "Jfron lifted a lone sigh. T2M"But I couldn-t like them if I Could-5 Could-5 -1, could I, Bon?" "0' coorse not," this with puckered s "row and heavy emphasis. ' "And I couldn't, bo so vulgar as to It met mr cap at thorn, now could I?" iTf"0 coorso not," heavier than ever. Sea" Ana I couldn't tell her I was en-s en-s 'jjapd to Arthur when I wasn't, could iy to!" Arthur?'' this with gasping suv-1 suv-1 !1rise and sudden all of face. 'Yes, er. Oh, well, but I could n t. I'll.'ioll anything to any of you when there Cs nothing to tell, could 11" rf Ji&Bcn was shrinking into the very tree ' firunk against which he was leaning: 'ibis lips formed for invariable "O 'coorse." but not a sound came. JlSMary was disturbed; the convcrsa-ialUon convcrsa-ialUon wa3 not going as she wished it, fiiil lien looked most surprisingly glum. lOVat'I'vc always known Arthur, you jWqjv; he is oiilv a workman 's son, but .veiMjjo frjcn(is s children. T loved him IflfoJwSvs. and lovo him now, but I .'ptfld'n't le engaged when wc were only flillliildron, now could I?" .Ben had never heard of Arthur hc-LrT6rc. hc-LrT6rc. and his whole soul was up in arms Jjgftgainsfc the introduction of his name At tins point, but she was waiting, and , SUIiR liad to squeeze out a dazed "Coourse 401." rra'rHe was poor and fighting his way p-'(ulli scholarships and trying to ho-'f'o'me ho-'f'o'me a doctor, and 1 couldn't hinder Utiiii, could I?" ; a 6ft vague hope began to rise in Ben's - WftKoring breast, and he chimed in more rkgiaihrcrfuih. 'Coourse not." 4OT"And when he went away ho wanted fXtefbc engagpd. but I was ouly K5, and iihpersou can't be engaged at 16, enn -$he, Ben?" wife-' Coourse not" verv hot and eager. ' jK'And when dear father died he came .fjcht home, and wanted to find me a !2ItfitiP there and then, but couldn't. vIbbil his career, could I now?" E'K'jSen wauled to ery, but one emotion !.wruHtrfltl the other, and lie laughed .a,widictilouslv, "t 'course not." 'ill "And T couldn't be engaged when fs fo brilliaut and am so simple; at i. not until ho got hi? diploma and and had seen other girls, now il 1?" his seulenee had a break in it. and fjlt like wringing young Arthur's 'Yand so to save his face lib mut-A'Tooursr mut-A'Tooursr not." 7 knowing what he would in-vWstnntJy in-vWstnntJy do I couldn't let him know t M Tvn., unhappy with Auntie, could I?" j a "Coourse not," very thick and' grumpy. I mi "And I couldn't know beforehand I J tliat she wanted me to marry one of .9 lucse men: and when 1 found it out ' 6 S-T couldn't, tell her 1 was engaged when ) . I T wasn't, could 1 ?" i .5 , No reply, but as Mary was going for la finish she did not. notice, but' hurried JfjO"' "And I couldn't bo nutruc to mv own true love, could 17" And 88 his pursed lips wer.o parting for a reluctant reply, Marv glanced up, and cried alarmingly, ''why, Ben, you're ill." "Coourse not, coourse not." Poor Ben got up and began to stamp about as though to restore circulation, but really to conceal almost uncontrollable emotion. Ben will remember that night to his dying day. If ho had Bpokcn a word it must have been a bursting avowal of his love, and if 8he refused him she would havo felt unable to stay at Bos-kill, Bos-kill, and ho would have been no hotter to her than Bcthia. So he left, her and fled to tho fiolds, and tramped about for hours. It. was only when the first drows3r chirps of the awakening .birds greeted the coming day that ho stole in-doorB in-doorB and went to his bedroom. A few days later he dropped into the habit of waylaying tho postman, sneaking sneak-ing into the cowhouae to read his letters, let-ters, and littlo though ho liked writing he spent, a whole forenoon over a letter that ultimately went into six lines. On the Friday' be'fore Whitsunday ho went away to some "Boss fair," b'ut coming back very early drove up to tho seldom used front door, and dropped into Mary's arms, when she camo rushiug out the form of a fine young fellow with a student's air about him. m .it was a grand wedding. Mary during dur-ing her four years' residence at Boskill had become a great favorite, and everybody every-body was invited to tho celebration; the 3'oung farmers, her erstwhile lovors, included. in-cluded. The day was perfect and tho scene memorablo, but whon the young doctor and his bride camo out tojtako th oir doparturo a big man wearing a dingy farm coat over his wedding garments gar-ments stood in non-committal attitude behind the happy weddingers, with ono eye on the scene and tho other on a pen ol prize pigs. The bride went down the long lano of friends shaking hands, and saying bright thanks to each, but. as she got to the end and was turning towards tho wailing carriage sho stopped, looked around, made a sudden dash at tho oddly dressed inspector of pigs, and taking him by tho neck, and punctuating punctuat-ing each word with a loss, she cried, "Noblest, kindest, truest of all men, God bless you! " Tho whiskered farmer boro it all with confusedly happy looks, and as the carnage moved away and tho slippers slip-pers batterod against its rear, he turned to scratch an old sow, and mur-mered. mur-mered. imitating to ease his heart Mary's own tones. "She couldn't have took a gurt. lollopin' chap like me, now could she?" And then as he caught with a quick glance tho Inst glimpse of the departing depart-ing carriage he held his face towards the sky as though feeling for impossible impossi-ble rain, and murmured, "Of course not." Next Week: "The Joy of Battle," by Sidney C. Grier. (Copyright in United Stales of America.) |