The Lincoln County herald., 1870-10-27

| uuu ueuTu utOteu ~, uuu even tney the
next morning we're smoothed over, for
Squire johns was . rich and influential
man, and people could not afford, without
some reason, to lose his favor. She re-.
mem berod it all now. Could he IN reality
be such q 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 everybody must know
who Ben was. Was he an uncle, cousin,
hired man, or what? Evidently some
body very old, by the way Hetty spoke
Of him. But she shrugged her shoulders
as she looked out at the still pourin.
rain. ....
Young Ben Hazel, out in the field,
pitched 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 hay
cart, went over the broad lands, and re.
turned.
"The hay is all gone in," he said, with
a long breath Of relief. II could not af.
ford to lose one load now don't know
that can do it, but if could sell part
Of the land l may. 1t will be q hard
pull, though" ...... ...
The young man followed the cart into
the barn. The storm was at it's height
when he went toward the house from the
back way. He stopped in surprise, rs be
saw through the window some one stand
ing at the table with arms bare to the
elbow, mixing flower. 1t must be Mar
tina.
No; those fair white arms are no,
Martha's, neither hers tho slender, grace
1ul figure. AS he came nearer he could
distinguish the sparkling piquant face.
She was talking with Hetty, and evi ]ently
giving her directions for what she was
making. Hetty was gazing upon her
eager and absorbed. Little Eva was sit
ting at the table in her high chair, work.
ing at piece of dough,
BY and by there was a spattering OF
water heard in the next room by Hetty
"Ben has comc," running hastily for.
ward and opening the door.
"Ben has tum |" echoed the little one
clappiug her hands and lispiug as he
came in, bright aud smiling, what she had
in store for him. 81 is made tate fol-
90, is."
He caught her up in his arms and gave
her kiss. wh,lc his eyes were seeking
the stranger.
Hotty said, prettlly: "My brother
Ben," then to him: "This lady 60,
caught in the shower, Ben, and is stay
ing till it clears up. She has been SO
kind as to help me get dinner, and has
made some splendid biscuit"
| They beAh--siouj .nu,o Lniuu,u, snt
with surprise at the real Ben, young
handsome, aud we'll bred, he with admira
tion, and a strange new feeling he could
not define. He had hardly made her
welcome, with return Of self possession
when there was loud rap at tho street
door. Hetty went to the door, came bacl
pale, and whispered to Ben, esquire
Johns"
Millie drew quickly back from the hal
open door. Ben went in to his visitor
closing the door after him, but every
word was distinctly heard by Millie, fol
Squire Johns did not speak in the suav,
tone she was accustomed to hear him, bu
loud and psremptorily.
II am in haste, young man; JUS
, stopped to say that the time for tho pay
ment of the money due me being day
, after to. morrow, if it 10 not ready shal
be obliged to resort to severe measures.
"Impossible I" exclaimed the youu,
!, man in q surprised and excited tone
= "you are very much mistaken. It is no
due till the 28th, il it now but the 18th
! At that time I shall sell the piece of Ian,
Q I partly expect to do, and hopo will
, some othe, money coming in, to be abl
. to pay it"
;, lar mistake young man. Here is you
b mortgage, you can see for yourself tha
= it is due the 18th.
J, "Let me see it."
Q The figures danced spon the pag'
il He pressed his hands over his eyes an
o calmed himself with great effort. II
Il grew ashy pale as he read.
9 ut reads 40, certainly, but cant III
70 ds,staud IT," He went to the desl
"Hero's q memorandum my father mad
Of the circumstances, and IL is dated tn
Is 29th, and he was very sure methodic'
h man, and would not be very likely
d make q mistake that might be fraugl
d with very important and evil cons
t. quences to him. I believe-"a suddt
.. suspicion coming into his mind, as he d
ID tected q lurking triumph iu Squire John
ID eye,-"I believe there's some villair
:" about this matter, and that you are at Il
n, bottom of it," he exclaimed excited
0. fixing his eye firmly upon the lawye
ID who changed color in spite Of himself.
- "Be careful what you say, young ma
no as you may got yourself into trouble"
ut said, sngrily.
II "Yes, sir, believe you are base vi
ve laini remember that you are the la,
he yer who made out the mortgage at Il
IL time. and knov that for veara Won ha