The Republican journal., 1869-10-14


can do it. but if can seli part Of the land
may. Ii will he u hard pull though"
The youno man followed the cart into til,
barn. The storm was in its height when he
went towards the house from the back way
He stopped in surprise, as he saw through N
open window some one standing at the table
with arms bare TO the elbow, mixing flour
II must be Martha.
No; those fair, white arms are not Martha:
neither hers the slender, graceful figure. As
he came nearer he could distinguish the spark
limo. piuuant face. She was laughing and
talking with Hetty; and evidently giving hel
the directions for what she was making. Hct-
ty was gazing upon her, eager and absorbed
Little Eva was Sitting At the table in her high
chair, working piece Of dough.
"A tato for Ben" 1t was as black as hen
little soiled fingers could make it. but il
did not occur to Eva that that could be any
objection.
1t was pretty sight in that long desolate
home; and he stood there, unconscious ofthe
pouring rain, eagerly gazing at the young
stranger, himself 4 picture Of manly beauty
till the voice of one of the men calling to the
oxen, awoke him from his revcric.
By and by there was a suffering Of water
heard in the next room by IIctty.
and opening the door
''Ben has tum!" echoed the little girl clap
ping her hands and lisping, as he came in,
bright and smiling, what she had in store fol
him
Il is made tat for 90, is"
He caught her up in his arms and gave her
kiss, while she laughed and shouted but
his eyes were seeking the stranger.
Hetty said, prcttily, "My brother Ben"
Then to him: "This lady got caught in the
shower, Ben, and is staying until it clears up.
She has been so kind to help me get dinner,
and has made some splendid biscuit
They both stood mute a minute, she with
surprise at the real Ben, young, handsome,
and well bred; he with admiration and {;
strange new feeling he could not define. He
had hardly made her welcome, with a return
of his selt-possession, when there was u loud
rap at the street door, Hetty went to the
door, came back pale, and whispered to Ben
esquire ,Johns.''
Millic drew quickly back from the halt
open door Ben went in to his visitor, clos
inc the door after him, but every word was
distinctly heard by Millie, for Squire Johns
did not speak in his suaye tone she was &C
customed to hear him, but loud and peremp-
tory.
Il am in haste, young man; | just stopped
to say that the time for the payment OF the
money due me being day after tomorrow, if
it is not ready shall be obliged Immediately
to resort to severe measures" +"
'Impossiblen exclaimed the young man
in a surprised and excited tone, ''you are
very much mistaken. II is not due till the
2Sth, it is now but the 18th. AT that time, if
sell the piece of land partly expect to do,
al, ,,+l, f.,
be able to pay it,"
'sYou are laboring undera singular mistake
young man. Here is the mortgage, YOU can
see for yourself that is the 18th"
''Let me see it,
The figures danced upon the page. IIC
passed his hands over his eyes and calmel
himself with y great effort He grew ashy pale
rs he read
1t reads 50, certainly, but | can't under
stand it," He went to the desk. ''Hcrc is L
memorandum my father made of the circum
stances, and it is the 2Sth, and he was Il vel
sure, methodical man, and would not be Ike
lv to make mistake, that might be fraugh1
with very impol tant and evil consequences /,
him. | believe" u sudden suspicion com
ing into his mind Us he detected d lurking
triumph in Squire Johns eye, 81 believe
there's some villainy about this matter, an,
that you are ut the bottom OF il" he cxclsim-
ed eXcitedly, fixing his eye firmly upon til,
lawyer, who changed color in spite of him
self
''Bc careful what you say, young man, Us
You may get yourself into trouble" he sall
angrlly.
Eyes, sir, believe that you are base vii
laini | remember that you are the law ye
who made out the mortgage at the time, an'
I al,
get hold of this property. If there is any jus
ticc in law, you shall be eXposedr'
I'm the meantime you had better have th,
money ready coolly and insutingly replie,
Mr.. Johns.
THAT is impossible, as you know. Yol
knew very well that could not raise 50 mucl
money in two days, when you Laid your di;l
bolcal plansn
Then you know the consequences"
| "And what is to become Of my little sis
ters?"
Il neither know nor care That is you
! lookout
The young man strove to repress his pas
sion. esquire Johns, by the 18th | can pa,
this debt, L expect
''That will do you no good. 1t must b'
ready by day after tomorrow, OF take pos
session. | might have shown you mercy but
for your insinuations. Now, none!'
That is false! liar! villain! and you know
it. You never showed mercy in your life
You have got your i'll gotten wealth. by rob
bing the widow and the tatherless. If yol
take this property, may it bring you a curs
with it now and eyermore. But while il is il
my hands I'll kick you from it, you dastardl,
scoundreln'
The Squire was IL small man rs well Il
coward, and while he was being ignominious
/ ly elected from the house by an angry an
excited young man, lIetty was crouche'
down close to NIillie, pale and frightened
Eva was sobbing in her lap, and Millie-
would be difficult to describe her feelings.
Ben did not come into the room for som
time afterward When he did, he locke
haggard and aged, and was passing throug
hastily, as if to escape notice, when Millit
business like and straightforward little Gil
that she was, began:
.Mr Hazwcll, want to talk with 70
a few minutes There would be no use in prt
tending that | haven't heard what you an
Squire Johns have been saying, for hay
heard every word. | think | know of som
one who can help you; but first may as
you few questions?'
Ben at first looked displeased and naughty
but her kind straightforward manner di
armed him. He bowed assent.
ssWhat is the amount OF this moltgage?"
eTwo thousand dollars and Interest," w:
the brief reply.