The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1873-07-08

ana VINO Is halph Strong tnen
asked Arabela in amazcment.
Ralph Strong is farmer Hills hired
man. said Frank, just as if the fact were
something to be proud of.
What - cried Arabella sharply.
He is farmer Hills hired man" re.
pcated Frank
"The impudcnt puppy exclaimed
Arabella completely thrown Of her dignity
by this rather startling announcement.
Wouldn't base imposter' be more
appropriate term ?" suggested Frank tor
mentingly.
He certainly can not expect us to re-
ceive him any longer as guest Ara
bella went on, ignoring the amendment.
awe might possibly receive him as
one OF the family, though said Frank.
turning to the window to hide her blush.
es.
a dim perception Of the truth began
to draw OH Arabela.
1t is not possible that he has had as
surance to ask you to marry him ~ she
said ireezingly.
Why not He loves me and | love
him." said Frank bravely.
This was a little too much No words
could adequately express our consterna-
tion, aud we all three sat onl gazed at
her in silence.
1t is just too bad ?" sighed Grace at
last, with tears in her eyes, " It's going
to spoil all our nice times"
1t is very pleasant mistake from
beginning to end" said Arabella, with
an effort t. compose herself " but it
proves conclusively that Ralph Strong,
whatever else he may be, is DO gentle.
man."
You are wrong there 20 cried Frank,
with flashing eyes; and then, like the
true woman she is, she bravcly took up
the absent ones defense. 1t seems that
the nephew, Ralph Hill, whom the farm.
er went to call on that memorable eve.
ming. was absent at the time. So Ralph
Strong was sent in his place. Accepting
our cordial invitation to visit US. without
the least suspicion that we were taking
him for other than he was, he had come
and gone week after week. in blissful ig.
norance, until one evening, while confd.
ing to Frank some bits of personal his.
tory, he chanced to discover the mistake
we were making, and vas eager at once
to explain but Frank, partly from n
love of mischief and partly for fear the
explanation would put au end to his
coming had begged him to Laor l-;~.
for awhile. so the fault is all mine"
she said, and now you may call him
what you like--iarmer Hills nci hew or
farmer Hills hired man-to me he is, and
has been from the first, simply Ralph
Strong, the truest and best man have
ever known" And all Arabella's argu.
ments failed to convince her that plough.
ing ard reapiug for farmer Hill had in
any way lessened his manhood, or that in
marrying farmer she would be doom.
ing herself to life of daily drudgery. So
there was nothing more to be said She
was of age, and had perfect right to do
as she pleased-but it seemed SO odd that
Frank, who had refused more offers than
sho could well remember, was, after all
going to marry farmer Hills hired man.
1t came to light little later that he was
himself the owner Of handsome farm,
and had hired himself to farmer Hill
chiefly for the purpose of learning how to
manage it, having discovered, on leaving
college, that he knew far more Of astrono.
my than Of agriculture but even this
modifying fact could not restore Ara.
bella's composure.
Father and mother came home in the
fall, and we all went back to town-and
at Christmas there was wedding. Ara.
bella declared that it was disgrace to
the family; but father who is quick at
reading men, said Ralph Strong was
worthy Of any woman, and that Frank
had shown her good sense.
They have been married three years
now. Grace and 60 every summer to
visit them. Their home is little Eden,
and Frank, is as happy as a queen. To
be sure, she has some care, as every wife
and mother must have; but can't see
that she is one bit more Of /" drudge "
than any city woman and, as for her
husband, he grows nobler and better every
day, as every true man must who has a
true wife to help him. Arabella has not
been to see them, but | don't think her
injured dignity can hold out much long.
er; for Frank with sweet forgiveness
of her nature, has named her baby for
her, and dainter baby Bell was new
er seen. They are going to bring her to
town soon and Grace aad feel sure that
she will prove little peacemaker. Speak
ing of Arabella reminds me that last sum.
mer VIC met farmer Hills nephew him.
self-the other Ralph. They say he is
rich but, poor fellow, he is greatly to
be pitied, for he not only had weak
" narves," but weak head as well and
even Observation-Disclosures as she
is-could she once see him, would be
quite willing to acknowledge that Frank
had made happy mistake in taking the
hired man Instead. Hearth anil Home
The difference between civilized aud