The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1878-07-25

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John bitterly. 'Margaret do you be-
lievc he means fairly by yous Isn't it
Just seasons amusement to hint"
II have no fear" she answered.
But in spite Of what folks might say,
Mr.. Strathl , was at Ford, on and of, al
summer.
1.-THE mill needed = sight Of looking
AFTER" they shifted; ut might run away;
he had taken = mighty fancy to Meg
Bevis, and p'raps she expected to be
fine lady, anon, and ride in her carriage
and have servants unde: her; but there
was many hole in the skinner. Twasn't
likely but he'd been used to women folks
rs could play the pianny, and wear the
fashions as natural a. their own skins.
Old Bevis ought to be ashamed to allow
such goings on under his eyes. High
time o'day, too, fer Mr.. Stratbley to put
Bevis in overseer 1T the mill, over the
heads of younger and smarter men, with
no end Of wages and nothing to do but
watch the gang-saw! That didn't look
queer, did it? And wasn't Strathley's
team stabbed in Bevis' barn? and didn't
Meg use it when she pleased2 and a
mighty smart team, too, no one boss
shay. And who could tell why he'd
bought the Dean meadow Of Bev;s, when
it was such a barren waste that the grass
hoppers avoided it2 He hadn't no use
for it; there wasn't stick Of timber on
it, but it put cash in old Beyis' pocket,
where cash was a.strangcr, cha"
Lo1rimer was obliged to listen to all
this without the power of proving it
false, and it made his heart ache as that
organ never ached before, darkened the
day and embittered life for him. He
dreaded to meet friend or foe Tor fear OF
hearing opinions which he could not COM
bat, and they all wondered that he would
not Join in the general cavil. Had not
Margaret thrown him over for a tlasly
fellow, about whom nobody knew any
thing beyond what he chose to tell?
Wasn't resentment the proper attitude for
a Tilted lover7 To lie sure he felt very
hard toward the handsome, well-to-do
gentleman who had stepped between him
and happiness-.-who slipped so easily in
to the position for which John had served
twice seven years.
He could scarcely bear the sight OF him
dawdling about Bevis' farm-as though
to the manor born--but he was obliged
to own that Strathley showed surpass-
ing good nature, an indifference to his
rudeness that was provoking; and that he
was just as ready to be civil and friendly
to him atterward.
''Surely, this is hard world" thought
Lorrimer, sin which it is necessary to
love cncs enemy, though he has stolen
the apple of ones eye" Wasn't it re-
quiring little too much Of human ma
ture, or at least, Of Lorrimer's nature?
Still, if he happened to meet S:rathley
on the highway and Jared on piece with
him, talking Of the prospects Of lumber
ing the coming winter; about provision
ing the camp and engaging men, and that
kind of rough-and-ready life, Lor1imer
could not deny but he was a pleasant
objectionable fellow enough, with a
deal of backbone, who knew his work
and the sort OF people with whom he
had to deal.
II mean to have taste of this camp
life myself this winter" he said, by the
way. II want to know what it is like :;
to become brave enough not to heed
poor fate, hard couch, or bowling
wolves"
"You won't find it as easy as lying, 1
reckon" said Lorrimer; "a little OF that
kind of thing goes great way"
II dare say. Are you going to join
my gang9"
II? No, thank you. I'm looking for
a chance to sell out. I want to raise
some ready money and be off to Cali
fornia, where it grows faster than in this
soil"
"Ah, going to leave for good and all?
Any disappointment! She lasn't gone
back on you, eh?'
"Who do you mean?" asked John,
fercely.
1.-THE girl you are going ~ leave be-
hind you
Il have no sweet heart" said John,
evasivcly.
"More's the phyllis love that makes
the world 60 round."
mo, it isn't--it's money"
"1f you want money, my boy, let me
help you"
you! No, thank you, want no man s
money"
"Lorrimer did not find purchaser for
his farm before the winter set in, cold
and bitter, with angry storms and biting
fros:s. He was still waiting for ole
when Mr.. Strathly came from town on a
dark December day. and meeting Lor-
rimer, begged he would pioneer him
through the woods to the camp.
II suppose you know the woods as
we'll as your own face?" he said.
EYES," said Lorrimer; "only, if it
should come on to storm as it threatens,
we may lose our reckoning. Hadn't you
better wait till the weather clears9"
"How far do you call it,"
Near six miles; but it isn't like walk.
ing on a concrete pavement you know"
"No, I'm inclined to push on to-day, if
you're willing"
They set out not long after noon; the
sun came out and blinked at them: but
by the time they had struck into the deem
woods he had thought better Of it and re-
tired behind flaw of snow.
This will all blow over" said Strath-
ley, confidently.
"Or maybe we'll outstrip the storm and
reach the camp ahead Of it." agreed Lor-
rimer.
But, though the storm seemed in nc
hurry, it meant business from a slight
flaw, it grew into lazy tumult of snow.
flakes, obliterating landmarks, and max.
ing the woods mulky and bcwildering.
"Six miles are soon travelled in the
worst weather. averred Strathley. SITS
getting confoundedly dark, though, Lor.
rimer; it seems to me we have walked ten
leagues already"
"lll be blessed if it ism t the longest six
miles I ever footed" confessed Lerrimer
ave ought to be close upon the camp
unless"
But just then strathley stumbled in
the Understanding darkness, and fell
with groan over the ragged remnant Of
lightning blasted stump.
though luck" sand Lorrimer, rubbing
his face with the new-fallen snow, and
ch affinfr hia hands. fnr Mr. Skpof1,1o.