The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1884-08-01

"No."
The tone was very reserved but re.
serve could hardly fail to melt under
so sunshiny presence as John Boyd's,
and before the long days ride vas
done he had won from her the main
facts Of her story.
Lucy Dill was her name. Her moth.
er had married the second time when
Lucy was IL years old, and three years
ago, when the girl was barely l5, had
died, leaving her to the protection of
her stepfather
'She didn't know what kind of a
man he was" said Lucy. "And he
wasn't that kind Of a man when she
was alive. l was too young to no.
tice much, and mother always put her
self between him and me when things
went wrong. After she died it was
dreadful. Elkins-that was his SON
came home to live. He never lived
there before, and-he-"
"Wanted to marry you :"
"Yes: and his father said | must.
But was afraid of him-of them
both. Aud people begau to come to
the house--bad people, no good-and
| began to suspect things"
"What kind of things -
1t was not easy to get an answer to
this question. In fact, the terrified
and inexperienced girl had hardly dar.
ed to formulate her own fears but
John gathered the idea that coming
or some other unlawful practice were
going OIL and Lucy only half compre.
hending, had understood enough tc
startle and frighten her into making
her escape. She had effected this BY
night, six weeks before, and her great
dread was of being discovered and
forced to go back. John reassured hel
as well as he could.
"Youll be just as safe at the farm al
in an iron safe" he protested.
But, in spite of his assurance, the
lurking terror never left Lucy's eyes
though weeks sped safely by and moth.
ing occurred to alarm her. Every sud
den noise made her start the sight o.
a strange figure on the road blanched
the roses to paleness. Except for this
fearfulness, she proved an excellent
"help" in all ways-quick, neat finger
ed, sweet-tempered. Old Barbara won
dered how the farm had ever got along
without her, and John in his secret
heart wondered also. 1t never should
be without her again, on that he was
firmly resolved.
'Lucy,' he said one day, three
months after she became his inmate
sim tired of seeing you jump and quiv
er, and scuttle upstairs whenever the
pedler or the ragmau comes along. 1t's
bad for you, and it worries me almos
to death. Now there's Just one way
tlatll make all safe, and set your mint
at ease, and that is that you SHOULD
marry me out Of hand, and give mt
the right to protect you. Once m.
wife, l shouldn't care if your stepfath
er and all the gang came after you
let them lay finger on you at thei
peril, while I'm alive and have righ
to interfere. Will you Lucy ? It's tn
best thing to be done, trust my wore
for it. don't mean to pretend tha
Im doing it for your sake entirely,
added John with a broad smile, "for
amt. / want you for my own SAX
the worst way, but both ways will be
gain so, unless you have something
against me say yes Lucy, and W
will have the parson over tomorrow
and make all safe. Will you, Lucy?'
"Oh, how could l have anythin!
against you ?" replied Lucy with tn
sweetest blush.
"Well," declared John, momer
after, as he raised his head from hi
first long lovers kiss, snow I forgiv
| Mrs. Nash