Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-04-05
FABLE THE THIRD.-CoSr1SuKp.

FABLE THE THIRD.-CoNTISuKp.
1t was poor end to her broken 70
solve-going out for Stephen Harlow
and bringing HON a Farmer Marrish
But she assured could not 60 OF
lingering there for man who did no
come.
Father will be glad to see you when
ever you like" said she. The invita-
ton was not very graciously given; bu
she did not feel gracious. and could no
seem to be what she was not by merely
trying, even if she had tried. But
Enoch Marrish could not expect every.
thing all at once; and she had not bid.
den him 60 away.
So he walked beside her back to Leys
Croft talking of the harvest and oi
money, and otherwise making love
after an invisible fashion. but never
once mentioning Stephen. No he
could not have come across him at
Manchester; that was clear. Nor was
the truant about the place when she
got home. Nearly two days without a
word-it was getting strange.
why, where's Stephen?H asked Tom
B!ackthorn as the three were sitting
down to supper. The master of Leys
Croft (if such he could be called) had
recovered his old rather self-glorious
ways since Fortune had smiled again.
and looked his neighbor in the face, or
rather above his head. as if their being
still debtor and creditor were merely
an empty form, only waiting to be
swept away by stroke of ii pen. Il
tell you what, Patience, when YOUR
Mrs. Harlow, you must keep your man
TO meal-tlmes; unless, maybe, at har-
vest, and such like times Inever kept
dinner waiting. no. nor supper. since 1
was born. This won't do.h
Hes over at Manchester on business,
father" said she,
Business. eh?' said her father, who
seemed in an especially jovial mood.
Il say. Marrish, though-don't that
Business at Hunchester;' Lord, what
pecks of wild oats that used to be q bin
for! But l forgot; you never sowed that
sort of crop. No, nor Stephen. Come,
lass. you needn't begin to look like
cabbage rose. Stephens as good lad
as Marrish there used to be. When he
says business, he means business; and
my business, too. And ] wish some
Others had been more like him." said
he. with sudden change; and Pa
tience knew that his own joke had re-
minded him of his scapegrace son.
''But that's neither here nor there.
Fall to. neighbor. and give us the news
of the day"
There seemed no particular reason.
after all, why Farmer Marrish had
come over to Legs Croft, for her father
did all the talking. The truth is that
Farmer Marrish was haunted with the
uncomfortable fear that Stephen might
have given the King the slip after all,
and might turn up at Legs Croft before
bedtime. People who mold circum-
stance must expect good many un-
comfortable hours. And if anything so
inconvient should happen. it would not
do for him to be out of the way. So he
even outstayed his welcome, and, to
spin, out the tine took more than one
nightcap; which. as it was at another
mans cost, he could for once well
afford
Tom Blackthorn had taken more
than two nightcaps. and felt all the bet
ter for them. You mustn't mind your
old fathers jokes, lass," said he. IF
it hadn't been for that young Harlow
mightn't have had another joke left to
come. What thing it is to be pretty
girl. Poor Marrish-hanging round
the honey-pot when all the honey's
CONS But bless my soul-what am I
sayinga Another joke-another joke .
my dear; that's all There give me .
kiss, and to bed. Make Stephen keep
early hours. There's nothing like 'em
nothing like 'em in the world.
They'r the way to be healthy. wealthy
and wise. And It's the early bird picks
up the worm. And early SOW, early
mow."
But it was not Enoch Marrish who
that night put in practice the wisdom
of the ancients- He knew that he had
put his plow into a furrow from which
there was no backing, however crooked
it might be- Whatever happened now,
he must not let such lie as he had told
prove TO have been told in vain. And
there was still many q chance against
him. Stephen Harlow was no con-
Iemptible enemy, ready torun his head,
like Tom Blackthorn. against any post
that stood handy Nor was Patience |
a simpleton, to be taken in by any COM
mon SANDER. There was the post, |
which even the most hurried soldiers |
would find time to use. There would |
be letter to Patience, surely; and one, /
no doubt, to his employers besides. The
latter could be easily dealt with. He !