Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1875-07-17


becca looked so sweet and pityinl
that Luke felt she really vas sorry
for him.
Sand now," coaxed the hazel
eyed syren, "tell us all about it.
What's the matter? And how dc
you happen to be in my Aunt All
stOn's private grounds 7 and what's
your namei Let's here the whole
story"
Luke told the story-how he was
orphaned and poor; how he had
seen and answered Mrs. Allsten's
advertisement for a housekecper at
Beech Glen, and how ruthlessly his
hopes had been blightcd. Little Re.
bccca laughed again at this; but
somehow her laughter did not jar
upon him this time, as it had done
| before.
"There," said Rebccca, 81 didn't
mean to do it again but you see, |
really couldn't help it. You a house
keeper! Who ever heard of such
thing ?"
"Mother was paralytic two years
before she died." said Luke, begin
ming himself to see the incongruous
side of the matter, "and l did all
the housework, and took care of the
milk, and managed everything"
eyes; but it's quite different
thing to he housekeeper at Beech
Glen. And men are never house
keepers--only women, and mostly
old Ones"
"May be it's So" said Luke, roll
ing uassel Of timothy grass around
in his fingers; "but must live some
how. And Fve no money left."
The forlorn words, and the for
lorner tone in which they were ut
tered, brought the soft mist over
Rebecca Wesley's hazel orbs. She
put her hand into her pocket and
brought out the boarded lucky pen
ny that had lain there for months
"a silver half dollar.
cit isn't much," she said, "but
Aunt Allston never gives me mucL
money. But you re welcome to it.
Luke Darley."
He drew back.
81 don't want to take your mon
ey."
"Why not? | would take it from
you if our places were changed.'
"Well, then; but it makes a fel.
low feel sort o. mean"
"Nonscnsew cried Rebecca impe-
riously, as she pressed the coin into
his reluctant hand.
And thus they parted-Luke Oar
ley going on his way with a curious
ttrobbing at his heart, and Rebecca
Wesley carrying her grapes home,
where she was particularly careful
not to mention what she had donc
with the silver half dollar Aunt
Allston had given her for "spend-
ing money"
"For he was quite q nice looking
lad" thought Rebecca, in the pat
way that sixteen year old
girls regard nineteen year old boys,
"and l hope he'll get along WELL"
And prehaps the young girls limo.
cent benson followed Luke barley
like an unseen influence Of good;
for certain it is that he prospered
strangely as the years went on.
ga good investment, eh ?" said
Mr.. barley, leaning back in his
leather-cushioneu chair. and look
ing in dreamy sort of way at his
agent. "But l have invested SO
much in real estate lately"
"S,ill, sir, l would candidIy rec
ommend this last bargain" said
Mr.. Perkins. "a tne old place 60
ing for mere sOng-close to the
new track of the Wyansand Rail
load Company it cant be mistake.
Suppose you run up to look at it by
the evening express"
Mr.. barley contracted his leor-
inc brows, red and shaggy as those
of William Refus might have been.
81 doubt whether 1 have time"
"It will ouly detain you few
hours,urged the agent.
avery well come to me at three
O'clock"
And Mr.. barley plunged once
more into the labyrinth of figures,
through which, with the assistance
of a white headed old confidential
clerk he was wading.
The late sunset streamed like a
food of rosy orange over tho lawI S
at Beach Glen. as Mr.. Darley and