Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1870-02-25

Wltf10uG some reason, W lOSc HIS i@Noi.t Dhe
remembered it all now Could he in reality
be such a scoundrel? 1858
She could Judge better about the truth OF
the story when she had seen Ben. Who
was Ben i? Two or three inquiries had
amounted to nothing. The children spoke
just as if everybody must know who Ben
was. Was he an uncle, cousin, hired man,
or what? Evidently somebody very old, by
the way Hetty spoke Of him. But she
shrugged her shoulders as she looked out at
the still pouring rain.
Young Ben Hazel, out in the field, pitch
ed up the last hay on the load, leaned his
pitchfork against a tree, and took off his
straw hat to cool his moist forehead. His
gaze followed the haycart, went over the
broad lands and returned.
"The hay is all gone in" he said, with a
long breath Of relief. 81 could not afford
to lose one load now I don't know that I
can do it, but if | can sell part Of the land l
NAV. It will be a hard pull though"
The young man followed the cart into the
| barn. The storm was at its height when he
went towards the house from the back way.
He stopped in surprise, as he saw through
the window some one was standing at the
J table with arms bare to the elbow, mixing
-four. It must be Martha. ..t
No those fair, white arms are not Mar
tina s, neither hers the slender, graceful fig
ure. As he came ne ,rer, he could distin-
guish the sparkling, piquant face. She was
laughing and talking with Hetty; and evil
IDENTITY giving her directions for what she
was making. Hetty was gazing upon her,
eager and absorbed. Little Eva was sitting
at the table in her high chair, working at a
piece of dough.
By and by there was a scattering of water
heard in the next room by Hetty.
"Ben has come" running hastily forward
and opening the door. Ha13 ~ lt
b "Ben has tum p echoed the little one,
clapping her hands and lisping as he came
in, bright and smiling, what she had in
store for him. 81 is made a tate for 90, |
is" 1859 ssean.t@v1 hi
He canght her up in his arms and gave
her a kiss, while she laughed and shouted,
but his eyes were seeking the stranger.
Hetty said, prettily "My brother Ben"
Then to him: This lady got canght in the
shower, Ben, and is staying till it clears up.
She has been SO kind as to help me to 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 a
strange new feeling he could not define
J He had hardly made her her welcome with a
return of his self-possession, when there was
a loud rap at the street door. Hetty went
to the door, came back pale, apd whispered
! to Ben-'sSquire Johns"
Mile drew quickly back from the half
open door. Ben went in to his visitor,
closing the door after him, but every word
was distinctly heard by Mile, for Squire
Johns d;dnot speak in the suavc tone she was
accustomed to hear him, but loud and per-
cmptorally,
II am in haste, young man; | just stop
ped to say that the time for the payment of
the money due me being day after to-mor-
row, if it is not ready I shall be obliged i'm
mediately to resort to severe measures.
.'Impossiblep' exclaimed the young man
in q surprised and excited tone "you are
very much mistaken. 1t is not due till the
28th, it is now but the 18th. At that time
I shall sell the piece of land I partly expect
to do. and I hope with SON other money
coming in, to be able to pay it, 4..sd
'.You are laboring under a singular mis-
take, young man. Here Is your mortgage,
you can see for yourself that it is the 18th"
s'Let me see it," o
The figures danced upon the page. He
pressed his hands over his eyes and Gained
himself with great effort. He grew ashy
pale as he read. t
cit reads so certainly, hut I can't under,
stand it," He went to the desk. "Here's
a memorandum my father made Of the cir
cumstapces, and it Isl the 2ath, and he was a
very sure methodical a and would moi
be likely to make a mistake that might be
fraught with very important and evil conse-
quences to him. 1 believe"-a sudden sus.
picion coming into his mind, as he detected
a lurking Triumph Squire Johns's eye, 81
believe there's somc villiany about this mat
ter, apd that you are at the bottom Of it,
he exclaimed excitedly, fixing his eye firmly
npon the lawyer, who changed color in spite
Of himself. ia I'
BE careful what you say, young man:
as you may get yourself into trouble" he
said angrily.
eyes, sir, I believe that you are a base
william! I remember that you are the lawyer
who made opt the mortgage at the time, and
I know that for years you have been aching
to get hold of this property. If there is any
Justice in law, YOU shall be exposed J"
.''In the meantime you had better have
the money ready" coolly and insultingly re-
piled Mr.. Johns.
That is impossible, you know. YOU
knew very we'll that I could not raise SC
much money in two days when you laic
your diabolical plans"
"Thep you know the consequences"
"And what is to become of my young
sisters|
n neither know nor care. That is YOU
lookout"
The young man strove to repress his pas
sion. esquire Johns. by the 28th l car
pay this debt. I expect"
'.That will do no good, It must b.
ready by day after Tomorrow, or ! take pos
session. I might have shown you mercy
but for your insinuations. Now, none"
THAT is false liar william and yor
know it. You never showed mercy il
your life. You have won your ill-gotter
wealth by robb:ng the widow and the father
less. If you take this property, may it bring
you q curse with it, now and evermore.-
But while it is in my hands I'll kick you
from it, you dastardly scoundrel.
The Squire was a small man as we'll as {
coward, and while he was being ignomini
ously elected from the house by an angry
and excited young man, Hetties was crouch
ed down close to Mile, pale and frighten
"a Ero ~ cobb;pr IN har Ian anC