Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-04-05

| neeu Were- without the blacktnornS
being . whit the wiser But a letter TO
Patience herself was another thing, and
must be dealt with in another way.
And how to deal with that chance took
him all night to consider. For he was
slow, though sure.
| Patience Backbone had no reason
for wakefulness. She trusted Stephen
even as she trusted herself and more
Had he met with any accident he must
| have heard; and then he was not the
sort of man whom accidents befall. He
was lucky. and he was strong. Yet
something like people call PRESENT.
ment when it happens TO come before
misfortune troubled her: and she was
long in falling asleep and quick in wax
ing. The morning light and freshness
sweep away presentiments like the cob
webs they are. and so they did hers.
Stephen would be over by breakfast
time, to be sure. But he was not over
by breakfast-time.
She was getting really anxious. She
did not make even pretense of break
ing the neck of her mornings work.
but, throwing shyness and certainty of
village gossip to the winds, went to the
village and to the blacksmith s, whittier
the letters came to be called for.
'.Is there any letter for Leys Croft?"
she asked the blacksmith's wife, who
carried on all the retail trade of the
parish, and was postmistress besides.
'Oh, yes, Miss Blackthorn. Some
thing special, no doubt, as you've come
yourself after them? And how's Mr.
Harlow, miss; and when's it to be?
Yes, there was one for MIR. Harlow,
and there was one for you"
I'm take them now, please" said she.
:'And welcome, Miss-only Mr.. Mar
rish was here but now, for his own let
tiers; what lot he do have to be sure
three all to himself this very morning.
and one from London. too, only fancy!
And ninepence to pay. 1t ought to be
worth getting, miss, TO make Farmer
Marrish pay out ninepence without so
much as word. And Mr.. Marrish, he
said as he was going up to Legs Croft
he would take up yours and Mr.. Har-
lows letters too. All, Miss Blackthorn,
Mr.. Harlow's not bit like Mr. Marrish.
He don't mind ninepence - not he.
And to think of gentleman like that
being Eli Harlow's boy, that l mind
playing in the mud beside this very
door, and watching the horses shod,
while his father-but forgot, miss; Eli
Harlow'd be your own father-in-law if
he was alive. And young Stephen
don't forget old friends, not he. Ills Q
bit of come down, miss, as l always do
say it, for a Blackthorn to marry a
Harlow; but when young man comes
back with silver lining in his coat, it
does make difference to be sure. And,
after all, don't know As there's an
other man in the parish fit for you,
Miss Patience, unless 'twer young
Scramble at Marshead, and he's sweet
on Martha Willet; know for a fact, he
had his arm round her waist only last
Sunday fortnight, after evening service,
on the common. And so as always
do say"
And SO on; and as much more as
Patience did not choose to stay for. 1t
was something new and little odd,
for Farmer Marrish to make calls SO
early in the day. making himself a
besides. However, it was
kind and neighborly, and nothing SO
very extraordinary after all. She wished
she had not come down. to be talked
to, and at and over. And she wished
it still more when Enoch Marrish came
full upon her just outside the village,
30 that he must guess where she had
been. and why.
1--we got your letters; thought l |
might save you the trouble" said he.
Il expected an important one myself;
and it struck me you seemed bit wor-
ried, if:here's anything l can do"
She pit her lip with ungrateful veSa-
lion. What fbol Ive'been, thought
she, ''to be taking on about nothing, SO |!
hat everybody could see! I'll never
worry again-no. not if Stephen stays
away a week without word Thank |
Tou, MIR. Marrish. 1t was very kind.
But, indeed, had no trouble-none at |
Ill" She took the letters with an air
IF Indifference that enraged him. it
was so palpably assumed. Two letters.
One for Mr.. Stephen Harlow, from
one for Miss Blackthorn.
She opened the letter-she glanced
At it Enoch Marrish watched her in
emily as she crumpled it up and put it
INTO her pocket.
Good news, hopep" asked he.
Neither good nor bad" said Pa
.ience-as if what she had seen had not
come upon her like flash of forked
lightning out of a cloudless sky. 1T
S nothing-nothing at all" She was
not going to carry her heart upon her
rlnoun M .Ilanft Lot laa,, |
Vou from going on to Legs Croft. !
have some errands in the village.
Thank you, Mr.. Marrish. 1t was kind
IF you to take SO much trouble, indeed"
He did not meet her eyes as she held
,ut her hand. In spite of her self-com-
nand her hand was hot and trembling,
while his was trembling and cold. II
vas not q gasp only touch, that
passed between the cold hand and the
warm. And, despite the calmness OF
his voice, he felt there was flash in the
ayes he dared not meet that might have
pierced through him if he gave her the
aintest chance of reading him. No
pleasure, he muttered, and
rent his way, half wondering, for the
whether what he had done had
cen done we'll
MISS BLACKTHORN-as that's your name |
you think you've caught Stephen Harlow.
ou re in the rong box, and no mistake there
tephen Harlow was promised to Iue and a
OOd bit more than promised, up at Millport:
My suppose you've caught his fancy with |
DUR farm he thinks he can make so much by.
ut that won't do for me. You take INV warn
q; men aren't to be trusted till they're over
,rty year old When you We got q man of
Dur own, don't Won let him ont Of ypnr
ght; and If he goes. be after him, like I've
zen after him. And I'm going to stick to
m; and though he don't think it's fair to let
)u know, do So l rite this nv own self to
y you II see him never more, unless you {
re TO take trip to 'Merica and be intra-
iced to your obejent humble servant to
'mmand as is to be -
MRS STEPHEN HARLow.-So There"