The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1882-01-25

his vile, the tenants OF Tue upper
farm.
But she could not face those pros
percus, happy ''city people" who
would look at her with their coldly-
curious eyes. and wonder almost au-
dibly, "what she could want, even
if they did not absolutely mistake
her for a tramp"
Il wish | could have gone through
the strawberry pasture once more,
she thought, as she turned back
toward the railway station, hungry,
tired. and unrelreshed.
At the foot Of the lane gentle
man. in a summer suit OF silrer-gray
stood leaning against the bars, with
his straw hat drawn down over his
eyes SO far that he failed TO see the
strangers silent approach.
"Wiil you let me pass, II You
please?" said Hester, al last, after
waiting some moments.
He wheeled round, as ii she had
struck him, and stared doubtinsiy
in her face
she uttered a great cry.
"Maaricel Maurice | heard that
You had sold the farm and gone TO
Colorado.
~Hesterl Can this be you !" he
answered.
His ewes seemed to devour her.
Words rose to his lips and were
forced back again. At last he ask
ed:
is your husband here with you-
Hester p
MY husband "
"Why, YES. heard that you
were married soon after YOU went 70
The city"
You heard wrong. Maurice. |
have not been married. ] have ncr-
er even thought of such thing
Blu, why did you 20, then, Hes
ter? Why did YOU leave Depdene ?
Mhy did you refuse 20 marry me,
if-il-therc was no one else IN the
Way ?'
Poor Hester
She thought Of the hot city garei,
oi the dream OF fame that had never
been realized. Of ihc aiucky book
thar was living in the olacl. trunk. OF
the little burial hoard 50 hardly
earned aud saved.
The fears came quickly 70 hereyes
obscuring the honest, handsome face
on which she gazed
Don't CRY. He.ter,' said Maurice
Blessing. taking her hand. And
tell me why you would DO. marry
me, dear
Because I was a fool" sobbed
Hester
is the folly ended p asked Maui
rice. hiding a smile as he bent over
her. Can you not give me differ
ent answer now, Hester? II You
can, we viii be just the happiest
pair Oh earth, here on the dear old
farm"
But you sold it and went to Col
orado," said Hester, wonderingly,
"at least | heard so.
Il was fool, too, Hester for |
went to Colorado, and ] was quite
willing to sell. But my brother-in-
law from the city persuaded me to
rent It to him for one year, I'll had
time 70 think the matter over When
| came 10 my senses-although l
had not forgotten you, darling
was very glad that tie poor old
place was mine still, and | came
back some six weeks ago TO see II,
Ny sister and her husband and fam
ily 90 back to the city next week,
stopping at the mountains on then
way. I shall be left alone. with
good Mrs. Williams for my house
keeper. aud her husband as head
hired man--lust as ] was before
Hester, won't YOU take pity or me
and come and share nay home2
have never cared for any one bat
you"
I do not know IN what words
/ Hester answered him. Bar / see
her daily In the cream-c3lgred tarm
house. the very model O. an active
bh-tling, good tempered farmer
wife.
As for She book. she has utterly
4 forgotten f. She needs Us rcom
ponce 30 longer, and She Is f.r toC
itaanr to care or wish fur fame