The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-11-25
A WICKED PLOT.

and disbelief at the busybody of a
/ neighbor who had disturbed her sereR-
ity on that calm, still July evening
/ with piece of intelligence most un-
welcome to the thrifty and somewhat
woridly-minded old lady.
| Which appellation, however, Mrs.
Appieby would not have accepted as
properly describing her though in
years she numbered considerably over
fifty, and was the owner of freehold
farm in the richest part of Yorkshire.
Sturdy, independent, perhaps little
narrow-minded in her thoughts. and
obstinate of disposition-for she had
ruled over her little domain with al
most despotic sway for nearly twenty
wears, which length of time ago she
was left widow with only one child
Mrs. Appleby felt something like
shock of horror, in spite of her avowed
incredulity, when prying neighbor
with the news that that child, her
daughter Rachel, whom she had SO
long regarded as mere girl. had been
seen that very evening returning
/ through Halcombe Woods from Sun
day-school picnic which she, as one of
the teachers, attended, escorted only by
one companion, Reuben Hayes, the
schoolmaster at Horton Magma; and,
what was worse than all, that, at GER
tain secluded portion of the road, where
probably the young pair imagined
themselves perfectly safe from observa-
ton, they were leaning closer together
than the exigencies of the path abso-
lutely required; and Mrs. Appleby's in
formant further deposed, with some
thing of malice in her tone, that she
distinctly saw tweed coat-Sleeve
round the waist of the modest gala
dress which Rachel Appleby had DON
ned that morning for the picnic.
1t was this last assertion which Mrs
Appleby so vehemently declared I'M
true; bnt when her visitor. with many
malicious condolences for the nature of
her intelligence, had departed. the old
lady lost her confident look, and would
have then and there taken her daughter
to task, and elected the truth from her
but that Rachel was gone TO rest, hav-
ing returned from the days merry
making half-an-hour before SO tired out
that her mother had not the heart to
rouse her when she went into the girls
room and saw her sleeping peacefully.
Tomorrow will be time enough"
muttered Mrs. Appleby TO herself. as
she turned away and softly closed the
door, and left Rachel to her slumbers.
81 hope it isn't true, after all. Reuben
Hayes! Why, the mans income is only
seventy pounds a yeari Not enough to
keep himself, let alone a wife and
children"
And then she too, retired to rest.
Next morning. Rachel Appleay, feel
ing happy and content with lire, went
singing down stairs and into tae room
where all their meals were taken.
Mrs Appleby did not speak as her
daughter entered, and Rachel, made
wise by experience, saw by the ex-
preston of her face that a storm was
coming.
Mrs Appleby waited until the break
fast was on the table before she uttered
a word. Then, as she took her seat
behind the coffee-pot, she asked.
sharply
Rachel, do you know you were seen
walking through Halcombe Woods,
yesterday, with Reuben Hayes, and his
arm round your waist2"
81 didn't know, mother" answered
the girl, who had spirit and determine
ton enough to hold her own, even
against her mother; you might have
seen me. though, if you had looked. I
was there
s'And you are not ashamed toconfess
it, RaehelP''
mot at all ashamed to confess it,
said Rachel.
IF you suppose that I'll ever give
my consent to your marrying avillage
schoolmaster you're Mistaken said
Mrs Appleby; land the sooner you send
him packing the better I'll be pleased
Rache1s face flushed.
Reuben is gentleman she said,
Though he has had his own, way to
make. / honor him for his struggles to
earn an honorable living"
lit appears to me you stand up for
him pretty earnest" said the widow,
with grim smile. ''But / don't think |
you are quite so foolish as to throw
Silas Venner and good home ike his |
over"
Farmer Vennerr' calculated Ra-
chel, in a tone of contempt. Il let him
know my mind long ago.
But you could get him back easy
enough" said Mrs. Appleby. He'd /
need only word to make him come
flying over here. He's sensible and |
shrewd, and you might go further and |
fare worse. -
Perhaps" said Rachel
s'And it strikes me- said the widow, |
'sthat man who goes about filling his
pockets with stones and dirt, and lies
for hours on the ground starin' at it,
must have a soft spot in his head
Reuben is intensely interested in
ores and minerals, said Rachel. eff /
he finds amusement in examining rocks
and picking up stones, why should we