The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1880-08-12
Pald your mother anything, but it is not
because have not been working hard.n

iCCuuS dS III every drop OF OlOOQ
IN her body were turned to liquid fire. s.and
oh, Mr.. Harvey | am SO ~sorry!"
The last words broke from her lips as
she saw the panied look of modification in
the young authors face. Involuntarily she
put her hand In her pocket, and drew out
a rusthng twenty dollar bill.
Uncle Jason gave it to me for a new
dle,s,' she sad, s'but my old one is good
yet black silk always looks we'll, you know
no matter how long you have worn it. Please
please, MIR. Harvey, take it!'
he pushed away her soft little hand, al
~ ost irritably.
am not yet fallen so slow as to take your lit
tie money"
But you will pay me back some day."
she urged still holding out the bill.
Il would rather not risk it."
Then let me give it to you. Oh, Mr..
Harvey, pleased"
He looked up in her face with a sardonic
sort of laugh-the soft, plying light in her
eyes seemed to strike a new chord in his
heart.
II will not take it, Ernestine; but, be-
lieve me, it has done me just as much good
as if l spent it all. Tell YOUR mother can
not pay her bill, but she is welcome to my
poor belongings here. They will sell for
something at least when | am gone.'
Mr.. Harney,' cried Ernestine, looking
up with wistful surprise, "you are not go
ing awayg'
Yes"
"'Where2'
'To the river, the railroad track, any
lonely, desolate place where | can end a life
that has hitherto beer of no use to myself
or any one else, that / can see."
And leave me-"
"Ernestine. it cannot be possible that you
care for me-" :
But | do, Wallace" she owned, half
] ughing. half embarrassed. Now tax e
my advice; it may be worth something
e, en- though | am nothing but a girl. Wait
a lit le longer, trust in Providence and re-
member that there is one, at least, who
cares fo- YOU"
"Ernestine, my little darling. But it is
of no use," faltered, dropping the warm
soft palm he had taken. FLUSH! there is
a knock at the door-more duns, l sup
pose!l"
1t was a letter which the little errand
girl threw into the room as if she, too, fully
appreciated Mr., Harney's social and tinan-
cial status in the establishment.
Miss Tiny she cried, tartly, as she
did so, your ma wants you 70 come right
down stairs d'reckly."
But EfneSUlUe, lOT OHCc III Hei llIe us
respectful of the maternal behest, stopped
to pick up the letter and hand 1t to Mr..
Harvey before she left the room.
.'Perhaps it is good news" she said, to
him archly, and then went away.
Mrs. Glentield was all Impotence for her
advent down stairs; she wanted to send 20
the dressmaker's about a dress which was
to have been done, and wasn't done. And
the conscience. striker dame of sewing-siik
and scissors sat down at once to put the
finishing touches on, and SO it was quite
dark before Ernestine reached home.
eWhat you suppose has ~happened!' S
ed Mrs. Glenfield, meeting her daughter
at the door.
Il don't know said Ernestine. Becky
| has broken another piece out Of the china
| set, Isuppose."
Mrs. Glentield shook her head.
Mr.. Harvey has gone"
'Gone! Wheres'
The dear knows-I don't. Paid his
| bill, and paid Biddy a quarter for herself,
over and above, and he has gone.
Ernestine's cheeks famed up, and then
grew pale. Gone! after what she mad own
| ed to him that very morning. Gone! With
| out leaving any farewell word or message
for her. Well, it served her right tor SO
tar forgetting her womarly reserve ana
mal0enly QlSnlly DIS ohe hou oo' -.
poor little Ernestine went dropping about
the house for a day or two, looking the
mere shadow of her former self.
At the end OF three days Mr.. Harvey came
Dlck. .,
Are you glad to see NE, Ernestine9"
II don't know" the little damsel answer
ed. demurely, ~ dare say mama Will DE
very happy to hear how you are getting
on"
Il should like to see her. . said Mr.. Har'
nev. and Ernestine went to call Mrs. Glen
field.
~ have come to ask a great favor OF you
madam" he said, as the worn -looklng boar
ding house keeper came into the room. :.
Mrs. Glenfeld shrank into herself, as II
were. -, ~
rather doubiously.
eBut it is not said Mr.. Harvey, with an
mnoed Snarkle in his eyes. 1t IS a much