The Republican journal., 1884-09-25

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what horse did he allow to take? Thel
he was permitted to depart. Nobody
ever pressed Sheppard to stay in any
company though he was the gentlest
mildest hammered man in town.
Passing with his airy, nolseless steI
down the street, he turned into shady
lane, at the foot of which new cottage
was set, in the midst of an enclosure o
four or five acres, already laid out in
garden and orchard Shops eye passed
over the pretty little house; the trim
fences; the flower beds, which the car
penter had dug and planted after his
days work was done. But there was nc
apparent jealousy in his calm survey. He
drew behind the lilac hedge, as Haber-
sham and Jennie came up from the gar
den, and went into the house They
lighted lamp, and he could see Jennie's
face as she flew from one room to anoth-
er, peering into pans and tins in the
Kitchen, examining the centre table in
parlOr, or the two precious red alum
vases. finally forcing Mathew into one
rocking chair and perching herself dainti-
| ly into another.
81 declare, this parlor is dis pretty as
Mrs. kildare's'', she exclaimed "When
we get fathers and mothers photographs
hung up with red strings and my poit-
chomanie on the table - you've never
told me yet, Matt, where you got these
chairs. and the table"
She was leaning back in the rocking
chair her face turned up smiling. eXpec-
tant. Habersham bis back to the wall,
was looking down at her, a passionate
heat on bis sWarthy, tine-Cut face. He
had forgotten to answer.
The chairs Oh, made them" be
said at last.
They were not in the shop y
"No. worked at them in the loft af-
ter night have been AT work at them
since May"
eve were not engaged in May, Sup
pose" with a mischievous shrug and
smile, 81 had accepted Sheppard after
all ?n
Wolfe could not see his rivals face
! llabersham did not speak for moment.
Then he said, in his peculiar, quiet tone
IL should have sent You the poor
| things all the same, Jennie. made them
for you.
"But you? What would YOU have
done p she persisted, cuiiously watching
| him.
1abersham was totally different from
the other men in kittely. He did not
love or hate like them. Jennie could net
understand any such unsounded hidden
| depths of passion: it made her uncom-
| Portable, fond as she was Of him. She
was perpetually trying to tear his heart
| open, to see the bottom of it.
''Would you have stayed in kittery If |
had been Sheppard's wife r she insist
| ed.
1--WE will not talk Of it any longer, he
replied, gently. You are not Sheppard's
wife. | remember" he began, with a
sudden change of tone, 'When | made
these things, how slowly worked, vas
afraid to finish them. When | Clipped
and polished the chairs and tables for
you to use, fancied that in some way
touched ynn--I came near to you.
"What an absurd boy you are, Jennie
| laughed. But tears came to her eyes
Habersham stopped and kissed them
Wolfe drew back quickly, and left the
| window. When Jennie and Matt came
out, a moment later, they saw him stroll
| ling down the path, swinging a stick
lightly and whistling softly to himself.
The lovers came every evening to in
spect the progress Of their little home :;
and every evening Sheppard played the
spy, hiding in the thick shubbery But
if :heir happiness disturbed him he did
| not show it the smiling face. pcering at
them from the lilacs, was that of an
amused, benignant friend.
4, IL.
| them, he strolled down the street to bis
| own house. But when the church clock
| had struck eleven, and all the village
| was asleep, he crept out Of the back door
OF the stable, saddled Il horse, and rode
| at a break neck pace across the hills
| Early next morning, he dsmounted at
| the inn IN the country town, sixteen
| miles distant. His horse was wet and
| painting, but Sheppard was cool, and as
neat and natty from his spotted blue
necktie to his shining boots, as though
he had that instant stepped out Of his
chamber. He entered and laZly survey
ed the group Of loungers i'll the bar
room. Then sauntering up to a power
| fully built, bearded man he bowed.
'Major Starr, presume?
"les" with scoWl. The Major al
| ways sc0wled suspiciously at strangers
81 am Sheppard p. Wolfe, attorney at
| law, in kittery. received a letter from
you on Friday, inquiring-n
Yes, yes" lowering his voice with a
| warning gesture. "Well, Mr. Wolfe. any
| discoveries z"
Il have found the man you are looking
| tor. lie is a carpenter in kittery by the
| name OF Habersham.'
The Major made a chuckling sound,
expressive Of keen delight
"A-a likely fellow -stout-healthy ?"
"Oh. very likely" Mr.. Wolfes smile
broadened little. "SkillfuI at his trade,
too. should say such slave ought to
be worth a cool four thousand"
ellis mother alive? ?"
"No. Unfortunately, she has been dead
for sixteen years"
at is just eighteen years since she
ran away"
"Ies, that is the time But with a
slight anxiety in his tone, they describe
her as delicate, soft handed woman,
unfit for hard work of any kind"
"Well, Lydia was as white as any
woman | ever saw. Brought up in the
house as my wfe's maid, you know.
Keen little devil. TO think she's cheat
ed me these eighteen years The boys
got stretch of work before him to pay
up for it. Well, well. When shall we
set out z" he broke Oft, impatiently.
"At once, if you wish.'
"But you haven't had your breakfast
yets'
81 do not need any. Let me have a
fresh horse, Barber. and take care of my
mare until send for her"
Major Starr, who knew his business,
was accompanied by the sheriff, one or
two constables, and a few of the new
friends whom he had made in the town.
They expected to see some fun, they call
ed it. as the runaway slave passed him
self of as white man, and had acquir-
ed social standing in kittery and there
would probably be resistance. They
might be needed to maintain, as they
called it, the dignity of the law
When the cortege approached the
town, Wolfe rode up to the Major
81 prefer not to appear i'll this mat
ter" he said, with a sudden air of can
dor. 81 like this poor devil. have
been kind to him, indeed, and"
81 understand you, Mr.. Wolfe. Your
feelings do you honor. shall not need
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