The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1860-09-19

Permit me to escort you to the
house, Miss Weston" he said, bowling
low before her, and speaking as though
nothing in the world had happened to
mar his self-possession.
mo, | thank you, sir, | will go
home if you please" Kate's voice
shook as she spoke, and she fairly reel
ed, as she made an attempt to take q
few steps forward.
cannot permit you to go home
while you are SO weary" said he cour-
.eously. You cannot walk without
assistance even. Lean ON my arm,
and in moment we shall reach the
house."
But Kate did not accept his aid
willingly, and so he went forward, and
gently putting his arm about her drew
her toward the house. Her breath
came freer and easier in a moments
time, and when she stood within the
old OAK entrance hall she was quite
herself again.
II will not go further, if you please,
sir" she said pausing there, and CIV
ing hurried glance over her disar-
ranged toilet.
This to a man of my hospitality,
Miss Weston This way if you
please !" He threw open door into
a small sitting room and motioned her
to enter. When she went hesitatingly
forward, he drew large easy chair
up before the window, and begged her
to be seated.
"Oh, but our fruit |" said he. "Ex-
cuse me for not relieving you before of
the burden I"
Kate erimsoned to the very roots of
her hair, as he pointed to her apples,
which she still held loopen up over
her arm. The next moment he had
gathered them into a fruit dish, and
was ringing for plates and knives.
Excuse me, sir, but / cannot re-
main longer" said Kate, rising. and
giving little flash Of light into his
face.
"But I shall insist upon it," said
he. Il have moral right to detail
you tonight, remember"
"Or would have, perhaps, if I was
not able to purchase my own ransom"
said Kate. 81 think / understand
you. May I ask at what price you
value your fruit 2"
She drew her purse from her pock-
ct with one hand, and pointed to the
fruit with the other.
Mr.. Waters lip eurled for a moment
and his steady eyes burned their per-
feet brows with deeper light but
when he spoke his voice was as firm
and mellow as though the faintest rip
pie of passion had never broken over
it's quiet surface.
" By the peck those apples are worth
Jet me see-some five shillings, at
the early season Of the year. Perhaps
can affsrd discount upon the price,
since you have taken SO large a guam
tity."
"No, sir, do not rebate the smallest
fraction upon them, as you value yonr
happiness p said Kate. If I have
not enough money in my purse, can
apply to some friend to lend me the
remainder +"
"Miss Weston " said the young far
mer, and he spoke her name in low,
stern voice.
"You choose well, sir, I'm sure"
said Kate. Among the score of
girls who visited your orchard to night,
am the only one who has no friend
to buy them from the unhappy conse-
quences of this adventure There is
my purse, sir %
She threw the small purse upon the
carpet at his feet, as she spoke, and
then, ashamed of her ungenerous
words and high flow of passion, burst
into tears.
Miss Wetson - The voice was
little tremulous now, but it detracted
from the deep sternness. He
stepped in front of the door, as he
spoke, he OWNED an intention on the
part of Kate to glide from the room.
" A moment if you please-will not
detain you long" he said, inclining
his head toward her II believe you
too true and generous Miss Weston, to
think me guilty of such meanness as
you just ascribed to me. | am sure
that, for a long time, you must have
known me better. If you have not it
is not my fault For long time
have been interested in you. Your
face pleased me when / first looked
upon it, and | felt that it was no COM
men soul, no poor spirit, that spoke
out SO eloquntly from your features.
1t may have been weak in man much
Your senior in years, to follow you
about, though / have endeavored to
treat you with the courtesy and re-
spect which were yours by right, AZ I
have done. I have esteemed you
very highly ; have, ! am almost afraid,
by the little pang feel at my heart
tonight. been allowing myself to love