The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1878-03-21

great sorrow OF HeT NE was past 10
shadow still hung over her. and try a.
she would. she could not shake 1t on u
ten when her thoughts went back TO the
past. the fair. sweet face would be
drawn even to pain by the cruel mem
cries it reused; and Mrs. Raymond,
watching her intently. wondered a
the cloud on the face of her sunshine
But. reader. these thoughts were no
sentimental longings for her lost love;
no if he had come 10 her then, and Land
his heart at her feet she would have
laughed ii to scorn as she had done
that memorable evening in the garden
of her home upon the Hudson.
CHAPTER ".
Christmas eve was drawing to its
clos. when We're entered the Snuggery
for a walk.
Il think I'll run down to the village
and see if / have any letters: can | do
anything for you:
s'No." answered Mrs. raymond
ssthere, that is more comfortable, she
added as We're rearranged the cushions
of her invalids lounge. You do not
know We're, how much " always
wanted a daughter, but since you
came | have not felt the need of one:
| used often to wish Ralph was a girl.
Nv poor boy, how | long to see him y
why does he not stay at home with
you?' asked the girl testify. for her
opinion of this Grant Ralph Raymond
who left his property to the manage
ment, and his tenants to the mercy OF,
exacting stewards while he spent his
life wandering in foreign lands, was
not Of the highest.
s.T;c n cod Glory Int I'll fell If Won
one of these days, run along now, and
mind YOU are not out too late Nero
sprang after the little cloaked figure
that sped down the steep, rocky path
leading to the village. The stiff noun
tain breeze brought a fresh color to
the girls face and blew her hair in lit
tie ripping curls from beneath the
brim of her black hat. She entered
the post office scarcely seeing the tall
figure leaning against the door facing
though Nero was greeting him joy
ously.
Good evening Mrs. Crafty, any let
tiers for me -
Eyes, bless your pretty face three
of EN-"
That's good news; how is your little
boy to-day
"Better, mann, and its yourself who
has cured him; here Billy, come here
and show how we'll you be :"
The child ran in with a beautiful
crimson %geranium in his hand.
ooh, what a pretty flower Billy
where did you get it,"
"Me crowd it; take it,
mo, no / cannot take your flower,
keep it yourself"
"No, for you," and he put it in her
hand.
"For me-" thank you; there, how
does that look Z" she asked smiling,
as she wore the bright blossoms among
the refractory curls of gold brown hair.
"Booful
sDoes it? well see what you can
find in that parcel in return for your
pretty gift" and taking the letters
from Mrs. Crafty she turned to leave.
From his position by the door the
stranger had beer a silent witness of
the little scene, and as We're turned
she found a pair of strong, stern blue
eyes fixed on her very intently.
Flushing slightly under the steady
gaze, she drew herself up and passing
out too her way toward the Hall.
The stranger stood watching the slight
figure until a curve in the road hid
her from view then entered the cot
tage."
You had a generous visitor, he
said to Billy, who was eating with
great relish a bon found in Vere's
parcel.
Generous :" exclaimed Mrs. Crafty.
81 should just think so! Idon't know
how we poor folks would get on with
out her: she has done us more good in
the little while she's been at the Hall
than the master has done in a life
time. Why sir, there is not a child in
the whole vclley who does not low
her; no, nor a man or woman either
for a matter o that. She's been an
angel of goodness to all of us, bless
her pretty face?"
And where is the young MASTER
Lord bless you, | don't know, not
here where he Nigh be tending to his
affairs; I've been in this valley six
months and | 'aint never laid eyes on
him"
Slipping a bright coin into the wo-
mans hand. the stranger left the cot
tage and took the same path We're had
gone. He walked slowly after paus-
ing to look at the valley already
grown indistinctive in the gathering
darkness.
mot where he ought to be-" he
unused, repeating Mrs. Gratty's words,
''she is right, this ought to be my
home, but how could | endure life
among scenes SO fraught with bitter
memories-a fathers anger and a wo-
mans broken faith | never look
upon the old familiar scenes without
al intense desire to put seas and
oceans between me and the spot where
my life was so blasted-.And mean
while during my absence this girl, my
mothers companion. is stealing the
hearts of my tenants from me.
He sighed as he came within sight Of
the old hall. The curtains had not
been drawn and a broad belt of light
streamed across the terrace from the
glass doors of the Snuggery: guided
by that light he drew near, and the
scene within caused the heart of the
stern, world-weary man t. throb
with pleasure. In the softly lighted
NJ