The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1877-06-14

her light gray, like banner OF rosy mist,
floating out upon the breeze as she few
along. Faster, faster! Another moment
passed aud she was within a single leap
of the wide gate. But the squire was
there before her, and like frightened
deer she sprang away in a different d.
rection. There was another gate that led
from the west side of the grounds, and
like lightning she shot toward it. But
oh, horror of horrors 1T was locked fast!
She turned about again, but the squire
was close upon her track, and there was
no hope of escape for her. Painting and
trembling she stood silent until he came
up to her.
"Permit me to escort you to the house,
Miss Weston" he said, bowling low before
her, and speaking as though nothing in the
world had happened to mar his self-pos
session.
"No, thank you, sir, will 60 home,
if you please" Hates voice shook as she
spoke, and she fairly reeled, as she made
an attempt to take few steps forward.
II cannot permit you to 60 home while
you are so weary. You cannot walk
without assistance even. Lean on my
arm; in a moment We will reach the
house,
But Kate did not accept his aid will
lingly; and so he went forward, and
gently putting his arm about her, drew
her toward the house. Her breath came
freer and easier in a moments time, and
when she stood within the wide old hall
she was quite herself again.
II will not go further, if you please,
sir" she said, pausing there, and giving
hurried glance over her disarrangcd
toilet.
This to man of my hospitality, Miss
Weston? This way, if you please!' He
threw open a door into small sitting
room and motioned her to enter. When
she went hesitatingly forward, he drew a
large lolling chair up before the window
and begged her to be seated.
"Oh, but our fruit! Excuse me for
not relieving you before of the burden.
Kate crimsoned to the very roots of her
hair, as he motioned to her apron of ap-
pies, which she still held Topped up over
her arm. The next moment he had gath
cred them into silver fruit dish, and was
ringing for plates and knives.
Excuse me, sir, but I cannot remain
longer" said Kate, rising, and giving a
little flash of light into his face.
"But I shall insist upon it. I have a
moral rig hit to detain you tonight, re-
member"
Cor would have, perhaps, if was not
able to purchase my own ransom. I think
I understand you. May 1 ask at what
price you value your fruit?"
She drew her purse from her pocket
with one hand, and pointed to the silver
fruit dish with the other.
The squire's lip curled for moment,
and his steady eyes burned beneath their
perfect brows, with deeper light; but
when he spoke, his voice was as firm and
mellow as though the faintest ripple OF
passion had never broken over its quiet
surface.
"By the peck apples are worth-let me
see-some fifty cents, at the early season
Of the year. Perhaps I can afford to dis.
count a bit upon the price, siuce YOU lave
taken so large quantity"
"No, no, sir; do not discount the small.
est fraction of mill upon them, as you
value your happiness! If l have moi
enoug h money in my purse, I can apply
to some friend to loan me the remand
en-"
miss Weston!'
Squire Waters spoke her name in a low
stern voice.
"You choose we'll, sir, I am sure
Among the score of girls who visited YOU
orchard tonight, am the only one wht
has not some friend to buy them from thu
unhappy consequences of this adventure
There is my purse, STRIP
She threw the small purse upon thu
| carpet at his feet, as she spoke, and ther
ashamed of her ungenerous words an6
her high flow of passion, burst into tears
miss Weston!"
The squire's voice was a little tremu
lous now, but it detracted nothing from
its deep sternness. He stepped in from
OF the door, as he spoke, as he OWNED al
intention on the part of Kate to glide
from the room.
IA moment if you please-I will no
detain you long," he said, inclining hi
head toward her. II believe you are tot
true and generous, Miss Weston, to thinl
me guilty of such meanness as you hav,
just ascribed to me. am sure that TO
long time, you must have known m,
better. If you have not, it is not m,
fault. For long time have been in
terested in you. Your face pleased M
when first looked upon it, and I fel
that it was no common soul, no poo
spirit that spoke out so eloquently from
your features. It may have been veal
in man of my years to follow you about
though l have endeavored to treat 70,
with the courtesy and respect which wer
yours by right, as I have DONE I hav,
esteemed you very highly-have, I All
almost afraid, by the little pang feel a
my heart tonight, been allowing mysel
to love you, even. That is all. I prom
Use you as a true gentleman that I viii
not annoy you more. You may 20 now.
He stepped aside from the door to al
low Kate to pass out, but she stood befor'
him without moving to 20, while tn,
Wllltul tears still broke up from tn,
depths Of her beautiful eyes and fell up
on her cheeks.
II will not detain you longer" he re
peated, hesitatingly, seeing that she stoot
immovable and silent.
She drew up her naughty head as h,
spoke and dashed the burning tears from
her cheeks; then she started forward will
out looking up into his face. For a mo
ment she tottered upon the threshold
pressing her slender fingers over her we
eyes, and then turned back again to tn,
the squire, who stood, with his head ben
toward her.
"1-1-do not want to go!" she cried
springing back to him, and holding GU
both white hands to meet his eager. mas
slonate grasp. Then-then-but SQUIRE
Waters is too aristocratic parsonage fo