Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1870-01-22

4
fields, just like men. Germany is great
country"
81 should think it must be-" said Mr..
Tully, obviously.
And he took his leave. after some very
kindly meant advice, which Miss Bell re-
solved mentally not to take.
So the days went by at Elm Brook
by which euphonious title Miss Martin
had decided to call her farm---until orc
evening, returning late from survey of
her premises, she came OH Katie Appleton
leaning over the stile, talking to somebody
in the twilight.
"katie," she cried warningly, as the
conscicnce-strichcn little damscl futtcrcd
towards her with both hands full of the
lovely pink blossoms of the wild axalca,
"was that a man you were talking to ?"
" lit was only the rector, Bell" fall
tered Katic, "to know why we weren't to
church all last month"
Miss Bell was not exactly satisfied with
her cousins explanation but she said
nothing. Verbal silence, however, does
not restrict the freedom of thought and
within herself Bell Martin was, by no means
at case.
"The rector" she repeated. A rector
is only man. after al!-and I should
think Katie had had enough of the false
hearts and hollow professions of men But
there it is-somc people Will never learn
by experience"
And between the obstinacy of her Mer-
Ger potatoes which absolutely declined to
come up, and the ill-adyiscd thou.htloss
ness of Katie in pcrsistng in any inter-
course with the forbidden ranks, Miss Bell
was really quite miserable that night.
She had cause to be more miserable yet
in day or two---ior in hand to hand en-
counter with 4 refractory pig, who had the
good taste to prefer the vegetable garden
to the precincts of his own pen, she strained
her ankle.
"What are VIC to do now p she groaned
when, by dint of much fortitude and Ycso-
luton, she had hobblcd to the old chintz.
covered lounge.
"Don't you think" hazardcd Kate,
that we had better send for the rector"
"The rector, indeed" cried Bell irasci-
bly,, II think the doctor would be great
deal more to the purpose ~
The doctor came, and SO did Mr. Mil
burn, the rector, with his brother, hand
some, squares -shouldcred man of forty.
"I thought" said Mr.. Hugh Milburn,
apologetica'ly, that you might like some
one to have an eye to things around the
place until you get better. June is bad
month for working farmers to fall sick"
"Pm sure I'm much obliged to you,"
said Bell, despondingly. eff Katie had
the spirit of gray Kitten, she could at
tend to matters and things herself; but
she screams if the COW shakes her horns,
and is actually afraid of the China geese"
The rector looked admiringly at Katie,
whose bushes at these enumerations of her
faults were certainly rather becoming, and
look after the interests of her agricultural
demesnes.
81 like that man." said the unwilling
invalid when Hugh Milburn had gono out
to hook after the cattle, and his brother
had also departed. There's no nonsense
about him."
"Who, the rcctor?" innocently inquired
Kate.
"No," tartly responded her cousin. a
mean his brother, Mr.. Hugh Milburn." !"
The early summer dawned bright and
soft over Elm Brook Old Spcckle having
maintained troubled existence under the
board for some weeks, suddenly decided
to set in good earnest, and divers other
biddies followed her example. Mercer po-
tatocs sprouted feebly above the earth
the sweet corn transplantcd from Miss
Bells carthenware crooks died and made
no sign, but the later crops made the fur
rowed fields beautiful with their silver
green blades, and the farm throvc glori-
ously under the new administration.
"How nice it looks y said Bell, signing
nevertheless, when first she walked out
leaning on Mr. Hugh Milburn's arm, to
see the young wheat beyond the corn lots
at is beautiful farm, in beautiful
location" said Mr.. Milburn, quietly. Il
have always thought | should like just
such farm as this"
"Why don't you buy one, then 2" de-
manded the raightforward damsel.
What for? Am not cypher in the
sum OF humanity n solitary old Dache- !
elof 2"
"But you needn't be an old bachelor"
"Need | not ?" His blue eyes spark
led with merry amusement. 4" "This is just
what wanted to say, Bell, You have
trusted me with your farm a month, now
suppose you trust me with yourself for a
lifetime p
Do you mean that you want me to
marry your"
Exactly"
"Dear me-" mused Bell, dropping his
arm, 90 had never thought of that. But
| do believe we could manage the farm
nicely on shares"
We'll" said Mr.. Milburn, who had pa
tiently waited, with the amused sparkle in
his eyes. while Bell thoughtfully twisted a
green blackberry shoot round and round
q