The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-07-05

ing her if she did not come. The road seemed dreary if he did not manage to catch sight of the slender girls form gathering primroses in the high hedges, or passing with light tread by the little wicket-gafe in the short cut across the churchyard.
 It was winsome, gracious apparition. Ned thought, and yet proud and maid enly, very different from the self-con- scious young ladies he had seen in town.
 Of course when young man has ar rived at this precise state of mind, 1t is no dincult matter 10 get an introduction to the lady of his fancy, and, having achiev- cd this, Ii is the simplest thing in the world to fall in love with her.
 50 1t came to pas that Ned Brock made up his mind to say the decisive word, and learn what manner of grace would be me,ed to him.
 About that time Sqrise Brock ran down tor tor few days to the Callows farm, and young Ned very naturally took the opportunity of speaking of his intentions to his father.
 It is possible Ned expected some strong opposition on the part of the squire: he was therefore surprised and sonewha, taken off his guard when the iauer gen. tieman received his news in a quiet, d. most an acquiescien, spirit.
 So, my dear boy, you are in lore with Miss Merywea,her :" said Squire Brock, as they sat over their after-dinner wine one erening. May ask if the young lady returns your affec,ion.'
 ' don know-yet. I've not said any thing said the young fellow flushing up.
 So much the better, so much the be- ter. said the squire quickly. with some- thing like sigh of relief He then filled his glass, and passed or to speak of other matters in connection with a disputed right of way from the glebe land to an outlying farmhouse belonging 10 Swal lows Hill.
 The nex. m orning the squire came to Ned with an open letter in his hand.
 Here is more of this ,iresome busi- ness he said. sI shall be threatened with proceedings and dragged into law suit next. My dear boy you would do me great favor If you could run up 10 town to-day and have a look at the Quorn farm papers. They are a, the banS. loc wiil De able to see q. once what right we really have, and if there is any bother about +, take them to Hig- gems, our solicitor"
 When, a few hours later, Ned Brock was steaming over the Solen,. the squire had put on his hat and was s,rolling. ci- gar in mouth, down the road in the di- reciion of Miss Merryweathey's cottage.
 Miss Merywea,her was q, home. and the squire, parting reluctantly with his Havana, was ushered into ,he small. prim drawing room, and then the blind was raised at least ten inches. ard a small chair was placed for his accomodatio in the centre of the room. facing a newly-li. and chilly-looking fire
 The circumstances were certainly dis and insomuch as the squire knew little oi Miss Merryweathe., he was not little beholden 10 chance for the successful issue of his visit
 On the appearance of ,he young iady the squire put or his most bland and complimentary manner, keeping up a stream of small talk or indifferent topics for some ten minutes. At last he said
 You have seen good deal of my son lately. Miss Me.rywea:her
 Yes, l have seen him pretty frequent ly,' the girl retarned.
 An, foolish boy-a foolish boy. gives us grea. deal of trouble" said Squire Brock in self-commisera,inp tones
 Indeed" said Jane Merrywea,her coldly F
 Yes. You may think it strange, per. haps, that should come to one so young as yourself to talk of private affairs. bu; ], struck me tha, young lady of your admirable bringing-up and strong char aoier might have great influence on my poor boy-a grea. influence
 In what way, may ask. NIT. Brock s' said the girl. who was now fairly as,on- shed.
 "Oh, ID a hundr ways. my dear Miss Merryweather," wen. or the un- daun,ed squire: boys are so extremely foolish, Sc extremely inludicious. they have no regard for the fitness Of things"
 Have you any reason for thinking your son injudicious at the present ,:ne.s asked lane slowly, in aa icy underone.
 lnoeed we have" said Mir. Brock, now boldly showing his hand. My dear Miss Merrywea,her, the poor boy is always falling in love. Of course i, is a mere jolly he will have forgotten all about it by the end of the month. no doubt: ou, in the meantime. bows en- angle themselves so easily. and there are many things to be considered-qces.ions of means and family, you understand. with his name and positiou.'
 should have thought that 70 lady would be anxious to push herself into a lamily where she was unweloome." said the g,rl.
 ".lou think so:' cried the delighted squire. "Ah, no doub, any deiica,e.y- minded woman would feel as you do. Your sentiments do you infinite credit. 1 Miss Meryweather. You see, with my boys position, with his property. intact, there are important reasons which ore. vent his marrying the first agreeable girl he sees. And yet if he knew had spoken n the matrer-he is such an obstinate eiiow-yon understand me. am sure, Miss Merryweather ?"
 :" think l understand you, MT. Brock ,.l aA ..-r