The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1884-12-26

They were both so indebted TO this
good woman that they looked at each
other piteously, but agreed. Walter
rang the bell, and ordered the four
wheeler and his own nag.
"Mary, one little walk in the sweet
garden"
"Yes, dear" said Mary, and in anoth-
er moment they were walking in the
garden, intertwined like the ivy and the
oak, and purring over their present de-
lights and glowing prospects.
In the mean time Mrs. Easton packed
up their things: Walters were enroll
ed in a light rug with straps, which
went upon his saddle. They eft the lit
tie inn, Mary driving. When they had
gone about two miles they came to
crossroads.
"Please pull up" said Mrs. Easton;
then turning to Walter, who was riding
ridiculously close to Mary's whip hand,
"Isn't that the way to Clifford Hallp"
"It's one way" said he; "but don't
mean to go that way. How can II It's
only three miles more round by your
house."
Nurse" said Mary, appealingly.
SAY, av, poor things" said Mrs. Eas-
ton. "Well, well, don't loiter, anyway.
shall not be my own woman again till
were SAFE III Tie IdTIu.
So they drove briskly on land in about
an hour more they got to long hill,
whence they could see the Gilberts'
farm.
There, nurse" said Mary, pouting a
little, ''nOw hope you're content, for
we have got safe home, and he and /
shall not have happy day together
again -, ,
"Oh yes, you will, and many, happy
years." said Mrs. EastOn. "Well, yes,
don't feel so fidgety now"
"Ohl" cried Mary, all of a sudden.
"Why, there's our gray mare coming
down the hill with the dOg-cart! Who's
that driving her? It's not papa. de-
clare it's Mr.. Hope, come home safe
and sound. Dear Mr.. Hope! Oh, now
my happiness is perfect!"
@Mr. Hope." screamed Mrs. Easton.
"Drive faster, for Heavens sakel Turn
your horse, sir and gallop away from us
as hard as you can!"
"Well, but, Mrs. Easton---" objected
Walter.
Mrs. Easton stood up in the carriage.
"Man alive" she screamed, you know
nothing, and know a deal; begone, or
you are no friend of mine; you'll make
me curse the hour that interfered."
go, darling" said Mary. kindly. and
so decidedly that he turned his horse
directly, gave her one look of love and
disappointment and gallOped away.
Mary looked pale and angry, and
drove on in sullen silence.
Mrs. Easton was too agitated to mind
her angry looks. She kept wiping the
perspiration from her bow with her
sentences: IF we could only get there
frst-fool not to teach my sister her
lesson before we went, she's such n
simpleton!-can't you drive fasterl"
why, nurse" said Mary, don't be
80 afraid of Mr.. Hope. It's not him I'm
afraid of; it's papa"
you don't know what you're talking
about, child. Mr.. BARLEY is easily
blinded: won't tell you why. It isn't
so with Mr.. Hope. Oh, if could only
get in to have one word with my sim
pie sister before he turns her inside
outl"
This question was soon decided. Hope
drove up to the door whilst Mary and
Mrs. EaSton were still some distance off
and hidden by turn in theroad. When
they emerged again into sight of the
farm they just caught sight of Hopes
back, and Mrs. Gilbert curtesying to
him and ushering him into the house.
"Drive into the stable-yard," said Mrs.
Easton, family. "He mustn't see your
travelling basket, anyway"
She told the servant to put the horse
into the stable Immediately. and the
basket into the brew-hOuse. Then she
room, and went with a beating heart to
find Mr.. Hope and her sister.
Mrs. Gilbert, though simple and I'M
guarded woman, could read faces like
the rest, and she saw at once that her
sister was very much put by this visit
of Mr.. Hope, and wanted to know what
had passed between her and him. This
set the poor woman all in flutter for
fear she should have said something in
judicious, and thereupOn she prepared
to find out, if possible, what she ought
to have said.
"What! Mr.. Hope!" said Mrs. Easton.
"Well, Mary will be glad. And have
you been long home. SIR"
Game last night said Hope. "She
hasn't been well, / hear. What is the
well. sir" said Mrs. Easton, very
guardedly, "she certainly gave me a
fright when she came here. Shelooked
quite pale; but whether it was that she
wanted change-but whatever it was,
il couldn't be very serious. You shall
Judge for yourself. Sister, go to Miss
Mary's room, and tell her."
Mrs. Easton, in giving this instruc-
ton, frowned at her sister as much as
to say, "Now don't speak, but CO."
When she was gone, the next thing
was to find out if the woman had made
any foolish admission to Mr.. Hope; so
she waited for him.
She had not long to wait.
Hope said: II hardly expected to see
you; your sister said you were from
home"
well. sir" said Mrs. Easton, 1--WE
were not so far far off, bit wedid come
home little sooner than we intended
and L am rare glad we did, for Miss
Mary wouldn't have missed you for all
the vie,cs in the county"
With that she made an excuse, and
left him. She found her sister in Mary's
room; they were comparing notes.
"NOw," said she to Mrs. Gilbert, you
tell me every word you said to Mr.. Hope
about Miss Mary and me-"
well, said you were not at home
and that is every word; he didn't give
me time to say any more for question
ing of her health"