The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1870-02-03


she had always helped her mother when
she was at home-capabe, industrious,
energetic little girl that she was.
The story agreed with things that she
had heard hinteh at, but only limited at,
and even they the next morning were
smoothed over, for Squire Johns was a
rich and influential man, and people could
not afford, without some reason, to lose
his favor. Could he in reality be such
scoundrel
She could judge better about the truth
Of the story when she had seen Ben.
Who was Ben Two or three Inquiries
had amounted to nothing. The children
spoke just as if every body 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,
pitched up the last hay on the load, leaned
his piichfork against tree, and took off
his straw hat to cool his moist forehead.
His gaze followed the hay cart, vert over
the broad lands ard returned
''The hay is all gone in,' he said, with
a long breath Of relief could not afford
10 lose one load now don't know ;hat
can do it, but if can sell part of tie
land may. 1t 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 table with arms bare to
the elbow, mixing -four. 1t must be
/ Martha.
! No; those fair, white arms are not
! Martha's, neither hers the slender, grace
/ ful figure AS he came nearer, he cu1ld
distinguish the sparkling, piqnant face.
/ Ste was laughing and talk ing with Hrtiy;
/ and evidently giving her directions for
! what she was making. Iety was -gaz
! ing upon her. eager and absorbed. Little
/ Eva was sitting at the table in her high
! chair, working at piece of dough.
! BY and by there was spattering of
water heard in the next room by Hetty.
''Ben has come," running hastily and
/ opening the door.
''Ben has tum ~ echoed the little ore,
/ claPping her hands and lisping as he came
! in, bright and smiling. what she had in
store for him. 81 is made tate for 90.
1 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, pret!ly: "My brother
/ IL
caught in the shower, Ben, and is stay
ing I'LL it clears up. She hes been so
Kind as to help me get dinner and has
made some splendid biscuit"
/ They both stood mute minute, she
with surprise at the real Ben. young,
! handsome and well, bred, he with admira~
ton, and ii strange new feeling he could
not define. He had hardly male her
welcome, with Il return of his self pos
session, when there was loud rap at the
street door. Hetty went to the door,
came back pale, and whispered to Ben
esquire Johns.
Mile drew quickly back from the half
open door. Ben vert in 10 his visitor,
closing the door after him. Tut every word
was distinctly heard by Mile. for Squire
Johns did not speak in the suave tone she
was accustomed to hear him, but loud and
peremptcrily.
81 am in haste, young man; l just
stopped TO say that the time for the pay
ment of the money due me being day
! after Tomorrow, if it Is not ready | shall
be Obliged to resort to severe measures. +"
'Imyossible - exclaimed the young
man in a surprised and excited tone ;
''you are very much mistaken. 1t is not
due till the 2Slh; 1t is now but the 18Th
| AT that time shall sell the piece of land
l partly expect 10 do, and l hope with
some other money coming in, 10 be able
to pay it
''You are laboring under sin gular
mistake, young man. Here is your mort
gage, you can see for yourself that ii is
the 18Th"
''Let me see it
The figures danced upon the page. He
pressed his hands over his eyes and calm
ed himself with great effort. He grew
ashy pale as he read.
III reads so, certainly, but l can't un>
dersland it,"
He went 10 The desk
''IIere's memorandum my father
made Of the circumstances, and 1t is the
2Sih, and he was very sure meihodIcal
man, and would not be likely TO make Il
mistake that might be fraustit with every
important and evil cous queues 10 him
! Il believe"--a sudden suspicion coming
into his mind. as he detected n lurking
triumph in Squire Johns eye. Il believe
there is some villainy about this matter,
and that you are AT The bottom OF IT." he
exclaimed exc,tedly, fixing his eye firmly
upon the lawyer, who changed color in
! spite of himself.
-'Ise careful what you say, young man,
! as you might get yourself into trouble, =