The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1884-11-20
[From the English Illustrated Magazine.I
InterloperS at The Knap.
CONCLUSION.

"plnners" for the mixers, which wert
now increased by two, for her mother
and herself no longer joined in milk
ing the cows themselves. But upor
the whole there was little change IL
the household economy, and no
much in its appearance, beyond sucf
minor particulars as that the crack
over the window, which had been {
hundred years coming, was a trlt1e
wider; that the beams were shade
blacker; that the influence of modern
ism had supplanted the open chimney
corner by a CRATE; that Susannah
who had worn a cap when she hao
plenty Of hair had left it off now she
had scarce any, because it was report
ed that caps were not fashionable;
and that Sally's face had naturally as
sumed more womanly and exper-
fenced cast.
Mrs. Hall was actually lifting Goals
with the tongs, as she had used to do
Five years ago this very night, if
[ am not mistaken she said, laying
on an ember.
mot this very night-though it
was one night this week" said the
correct Sally.
"Well, It's near enough Five
years ago Mr. Darton came to marry
you, and my poor boy Phil came home
to die" She sighed. "Ah, Sally
she presently said, If you had man
aged well, Mr.. Darton would have had
you. Helena or none"
Don't be sentimental about that,
mother" begged Sally. Il didn't
care to manage we'll in such a case.
Though | liked him, l wasn't so anx-
ious | would never have married the
man in the midst of such a hitch as
that was" she added with decision;
land I don't think [ would if he were
to ask me now"
II am not so sure about that, unless
you have another in your eye"
Il wouldn't; and I'll tell you why.
[ could hardly marry him for love at
this time O day. And as we've quite
enough to live on if we give up the
dairy tomorrow, | should have no
need to marry for any meaner reason.
am quite happy enough as | am, and
there's an end OF"
Now it was not long after this dia-
logue that there came a mild rap at
the door, and in moment there en-
tered Susannah, looking as though a
ghost had arrived. The fact was that
that accomplished skinner and churn-
er (now a resident in the house) had
overheard the desultory observations
between mother and daug ghter, and on
4ho door 10 h1,- hnrto
thought the coincidence must have a
grisly meaning in it. Mrs. Hall well
coined the farmer with warm sur
prise, as did Sally, and for moment
they rather wanted words.
Can you push up the chimney
crook for me, Mr.. Darton? the notch
es hitch" said the matron. He did it,
and the homely little act bridged over
the awkward consciousness that he
had been a stranger for four years.
Mrs. Hall soon saw what he had
come for. and left the two principals
together while she went to prepare
him a late tea, smiling at Sally's hasty
assertions of Indifference, when she
saw how civil Sally was. When tea
was ready she joined them. She fan
cied that Darton did not look so con-
fident as when he had arrived; but
Sally was quite light-hearted, and the
meal passed pleasantly.
About seven he took his leave of
them. Mrs. Hall went as far as the
door to light him down the slope On
the doorstep he said frankly
81 came to ask your daughter to
marry me; chose the night and every
thing, with an eye to favorable an
swer. But she won't"
'Then she's very ungrateful girl"
empatically said Mrs. Hall.
Darton paused to shape his SEN
tence, and asked, Il suppose there's
nobody else more favored?"
IL can't say that there is, or that
there isn't" answered Mrs. Hail.
'She's private In some things. I'm
on your side, however, Mr.. Darton,
and I'll talk to her.
"Thank ye, thank ye," said the
farmer in gayer accent; and with
this assurance the not very satisfacto-
ry visit came to an end. Darton de-
scended the roots of the sycamore, the
lights were withdrawn, and the door
closed. At the bottom Of the slope
he nearl y ran against a man about to
ascend.
"Can iack-o'-lent believe his few
senses on such dark night, or can't
hep" exclaimed one whose utterance
Darton recognized in a moment, de-
spite its unexpectedness. II dare not
swear he can, though I fain would" "
The speaker was Johns.
Darton said he was glad Of this op-
portunity, bad as it was, Of putting an
end to the silence Of years, and asked
the dairyman what he was travelling
that way for.
Japheth showed the old jovial con-
fidence in a moment. I'm going to
see your-relations as they always
seem to me-" he said-"Mrs Hall and
Sally. Well, Charles, the fact is |
find the natural righteousness Of man
is much increased by a bachelor life.
and as your leavings were always good
enough for me, I'm trying civiliza-
ton here" He nodded towards the
house.
"Not with Sally-to marry her?''
said Darton, feeling something like a
rill of ice water between his shoul-
ders
Eyes, by the help Of Providence and
my personal charms. And | think
shall get her. I am this road every
week-my present dairy is only four
miles off, you know, and [ see her
through the window. IT'S rather odd
that | was going to speak practical
tonight to her for the first time
You've just called?"
Eyes, for a short while But she
didn't say word about you
"a good sign, a good sign. Now
that decides me. I'll sling the mallet
and get her answer this very night as
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