The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1880-08-21

ANY iabocar she had ever previously
met. anu hoping the squire would
not give him u scolding for Sinking
WOrE.
The chicken dinner was much en-
loyed by little Paul. the only one oi
the family who did not feel troubled
AT the impending removal from the
old home. and be, poor child! was
too Young to know what sorrow
meant.
Hannah looked stern and forbid
ding. Mrs. Derwent's eyes were red,
aud there we're traces Of tears on
katie's cheeks. for she had not Ca
capped u scoldtng from Hannah. fol
unnecessary delay IN the catching Of
the fowl.
When dinner was over, and she had
helped her slater tidy the kitchen,
Katie took 4 tin pail from the pan.
Try and her hat from It's peg. aud
started ont.
Where are you going asked Han
nah sharply.
ITO tho stone wall In the pasture
to pick blackberrles." answered
Katie. II saw some nice onea up
there this morning when l was chas.
Ing the rooster. and thought mother
would like some for supper.
Every WE'LL" said Hannah: ''but
don't stay the whole afternoon. fol
you've all these dish. towels to hem,
though there's no telling II Well use
'eln, since we'll he 10 u poorhouse
after Monday.
The afternoon sun shone full!
on the blackberry bushes. and
Katie found picking the ripe fruit no
cool task but she preferred 1t to cit
ting 10 tho house with Hannah, list.
ening to bitter reproaches for her
refusal to take tho step which could
prevent the old home from passing
into the hands OF Mr.. Arle.
'Why should I have nothing, and
Squire Davis all the good things p
she said, aloud. even the shade IL
on his side ot the WALL"
She WAS interrupted In her rebel
iious reflections by the sudden up.
pcarance Of Hannah. almost out OF
breath from running. -.
Katie" she said. ''come home at
once, Squire Davis Is waiting to see
you"
"Oh, Hannah. ! can't 20! I don't
want to SEQ him!"
katie Derwent. YOU ought to BE-
ashamed Of yourself" cried Hannah.
loudly. esquire Davis is rich. q
member Of tue church, aud man
any woman might be glad to marry"
''But he is 80 old, Hanna. and l ain
only seventeen
"Pshaw! what does that matter ?
You will sec us thrown on the chart.
ty Of our friends. robbed OF our home
and its comforts. rather than make q
trifiing sacrifice. You can't have
much love for your poor. sick moth
er or iittle brother. Squire Davis
would pay of the mortgage at once
il you would only promise to marry
him. Come. Katie. don't be 60 stub
born"
"I'm not stubborn, Hannah. l
would do almost anything for mother
and Paul, but, oh! let me have q lit:
tie more time. l will thing OF it,
will indeed. Tell the squire to come
tomorrow. and I'll give him my an
swer.'' 49,
DO you suppose he Will submit to
such treatment ?" demanded Han
nah. Told to como and 20 at your
fancy! You promised last Sunday to
give hin, an answer to-day" .
But / can't. Hannah; 40. l can't
to-day. You can tell him anything
you like. but / won't 800 him to-
'"rhen III tell him I couldn't find
YOU" said the Willy Hannah. III !
should tell him you had refused to
come he would suspect something"
Katie waited until her stster'e
gaunt figure had disappeared over
the rising ground, and then. throw.
ipg herself down by tue blackberry
bushes, burst into tears.
II suppose I must do it." she
mosned.
mo you mustn't" said q very
sympathetic voice. and looking ~
Katie espied, to her astoniahment
her acquaintance Of the morning,
sitting above her on the stone wall
He was handsomely dressed now tn
4 suit Of gray tweed. and looked ua'
deniably y gentleman.
"Wera YOU tlstening?" she do
mandsd. sitting up. the tears stu
lingering Oh her long. curling eye
lashes. -.
Eyes, / WAS" was the frank reply
You see. I grow tired of work. 30
left the sQuire's employ. put on ny
Sunday clothes and strolled out.
was lying down IN the shade OF tn
wall. doing. and had just become
aware Of your presence on the othal
side when your sister came. .
course / could not then declare my
proximity without embarrassing you
both, 50 l waited.
~ on dou'C seem to think you 1T
embarrassing me now" said Katie
wondering why his black eyes spar
kied 80 mischie10usly.
ALI toty OOV4J. V0sss
am sorry. Still you don't look YER!
much overcome with confusion"
Appearances are deceittul come
times" said Katie, rising TO her feet
True; you will have cause 10 re-
member that later. Nov. take a lit
tie advice In return for that you gav'
me this morning. Don't let YOU
sister persuade you to marry tn
SQUIRE, You are far too young t
take the position Of stepmother Il
his five children.
"but il l d"u't marry him We can
keep tho farm. No one else will LENT
us the money to pay of the mortgage
Oh. how I hat" that Mi. Arle"
Tn. young man smiled.
"Soulething tells Me that all vii
come out right In the end" he said
swat little whi!e aud sea II al
not correct ia my prophecy" ...
"You are very kind. In sure. +
take such interest Ia tne." satd Ka
tie. Il thank you very much: ~
| now eoodnye-l feel TOO badly !!
stay out IL this hot su0 any longer.
40 "a 4