The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1883-01-12
A WICKED PLOT.

A WICKED PLOT.
II don't believe i'll Won't believe II.
You must DO mistaken. Rachel is too
modest and prudent to allow such free
dom to any man."
And Mrs. Appleby glanced defiance
and disbelief at the busybody of q
neighbor who had disturbed her seren-
ity on that calm. still July evening
with Q piece of intelligence most un.
welcome to the thrifty and somewhat
worldly-minded old lady.
Which appellation, however. Mrs.
Appleby would not have accepted as
describing her, though In
years she numbered considerably over
Fifty. and was the owner Of freehold
larm Ia the richest part of Yorkshire.
Sturdy, independent, perhaps a little
in her thoughts, and
obstinate Of disposition-for she had
ruled over her little domain with al
most despotic sway for nearly twenty
years. which length of time ago she
vas left widow with only one child
Mrs. Appleby felt something like .
shock Of horror. in spite Of her avowed
lncredulity. when q prying neighbor
broke In upon her tranquil content
with the news that that child, her
daughter Rachel. whom she had so
Iong regarded IS a mere girl, had been
,een that very evening returning
through Halcombe Woods from Sun.
1ay-school picnic which she. as one Of
he teachers, attended. escorted only by
one companion, Reuben Hayes, the
at Horton Magma; and.
what was worse than all. that, at a GER
ain secluded portion Of the road. where
probably the young pair imagined
perfectly safe from observa-
ion. they were leaning closer together
han the exigencies Of the path abso-
utely required; and Mrs. Appleby's in
'ormant further deposed, with some
hing of malice in her tone, that she
saw q tweed coat-sleeve
'ound the waist of the modest gala
iress which Rachel Appleby had dom
,ed that morning for the picnic.
1t was this last assertion which Mrs
Appleby SO vehemently declared I'M
rue; but when her visitor. with many
malicious condolences for the nature of
her intelligence, had departed. the old
ady lost her confident look, and would
nave then and there taken her daughter
10 task, and elected the truth from her
but that Rachel was gone to rest, hay
ng returned from the days merry
making half-an-hour before SO tired out
hat 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"
Mrs. Appleby to herself, as
he turned away and softly closed the
door, and left Rachel TO her slumbers.
II hope il isn't true, after all. Reuben
Hayes! Why, the mans income is only
seventy pounds year! Not enough to
keep himself, lot alone a wife and
children"
And then she too. retired to rest.
Next morning, Rachel Appleby, feel
ing happy and content with life, went
singing down stairs and into the 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 q storm was
coming.
Mrs Applehy waited until the break.
fast was on the table before she uttered
. word. Then, as she took her seat
behind the coffee-pot, she asked,
"Rachel. do you know you were seen
walking through Halcombe Woods,
yesterday. with Reuben Hayes, and his
arm round your waist?"
II 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. ]
was there"
"And You are not ashamed tooonfess
il, Rachel7"
"Not at all ashamed to confess it. "
said Rachel.
If you suppose that I'll ever give
my consent to your marrying village
schoolmaster you're mistaken" said
Mrs Appleby; "and the sooner you send
him packing the better I'll be pleased. +"
Rachel's face flushed.
'Reuben is q gentleman" she said,
''though he has Mad his own way tc
make. I honor him for his struggles tc
earn an honorable living"
ut appears TO me you stand up fol
him pretty earnest" said the widow,
with Q grim smile. "But I don't think
you are quite 30 foolish as TO throw
Silss Venner and . good home Like hi
over"
Farmer vennerr' calculated Ra
chel. In q tone Of contempt II let hin
know my mind long ago"
But you could get him back easy
enough" said Mrs. Appleby. "He'e
need only q word to make him come
ayinp over here. He's sensible an(
shrewd. and you might 60 further ant
fare worse"
perhaps" said Rachel.
"And it strikes me-" said the widow
'.that man who goes about filling his
pockets with stones and dirt, and lie
Tor hours on the ground starin' at 1t
must have a soft spot In his heae
somewhere"
Reuben IL intensely interested II
ores and minerals" said Rachel. 81
he finds amusement In examining rock
and picking up stones, why should W
objectp"
sFiddle de-dee amusementr' OK
claimed Mrs. Appleby. II wonder at
girl Of your sense upholding such folly
You'll never marry Reuben Hayes witt
my consent"
s.Perhaps not" said Rachel, rising
from the table, land I'll never MARI
Farmer Venner with my own"
s'We'n see about that" said tn
widow, a. she took the skinner and
basin and started for the dairy. 81 ex
pect to see you the mistress Of Hills
mere Farm, yet"
Rachel smiled to herself. thinking
how unlikely Il was that such thin,