The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-04-02
FABLE THE FIRsT.-CoSrrxUEp.

FABLE THE FIRST -Coxr1xUED.
IF I'd found things as left them, -
said Stephen. Il wouldn't have said a
word to Patience before speaking TO
you-though I've loved her all my days.
But-Pm not much hand at a speech,
yet-I wouldn't have asked her, nor
you, if L couldn't keep her; but thanks
to you, that was the best father fellow
ever had, can. / stand well with the
firm I'm with; I've got a good salary,
and Preston, our senior. was talking of
partnership only two days ago. I've
had the best of good luck, and I've
saved, besides; and a | owe everything
to you I've got or ever hope for, what
evers mines yours. All, sir, if you'll
only give ne Patience"
Marrish glanced sharply at Farmer
Blackthorn from under his browS,
turned abruptly on his heel, and went
few PAGES of, though not out of ear
shot by any means.
Farmer Blackthorn, still armed with
his walking-stick, held out his hand to
Stephen feebly. I'm glad to see you
again, lad" said he, land to hear
YOU re doing so well. It's good to near
of somebody doing well these hard
times. God knows. But as for my lass
YOU must put that fancy oul of your
head. 1t can't be-
Can be?' exclaimed Stephen; while
Patience managed at last to free her
hand and Nesting up close to her
father hid IL urOY his arm
Cant be!' repeated Farmer Black
thorn. The arm, conscious of his
daughters touch, tremblod little; but
the voice was firm.
81 love Patience, and Patience loves
me-" urged Stephen, while Patience
herself gave little pressure of the
fingers uron her fathers sleeve by way
of setting her seal TO her lover woTds;
land love her shall till die. | want
no help to keep her; you shan lose
her; you'll only have a"-son, he was
about to add, but checked himself. re-
membering what ne had been warned;
and so hurred on. Il love work; and
for her sake and yours I'll work like
ten. I'll either settle in MillpOrt, il
YOU like to come and live with us
there, or I'll buy or make a business Of
nv own at Manchester, where there's a
first-rate county opening, if you'd rath-
er not come so far away"
"Yes, father" whispered Patience.
ats all true"
''I'N tell you," said Marrish coming
forward, "why it can't Be. No-don'
look as if twas none of my business;
IDS as much mine rs any mans, and
more. Tom BlackthOrn's just prom
ised Patience to another man-neveI
mind who"
Father" cried Patience. starting
from him, and with amazement in her
eyes.
"Ay," said Farmer Blackthorn, Give
promised to another man-raver mind
who
.'Patience!" cried SeepheE. do yolt
understand"
Young man." said Marrish, this
is business. not sweetheartin@. She
don t understand, but | do. She's got
TO save her father from ruinat;on, like a
dutiful daughter; and she won't do
that by marrying a struggling young
clerk that got to make his way. Eth,
Tom Blackthorn? That's how il
stands?n
That's how it stands. "echcas, Farm,
er Blackburn, bringing his stick down
on the ground.
Youth was net likely to suspect hard.
featured and hard-fisted middle age OF
wanting to poach on what it fondly
fancieS Its own preserves. That EnOch
Marrsh should be after Patience nc
more occurred to Stephen than that
january should mate with May-fOrget-
ting that even that has happened now
and again. Whether Patience had any
inkling one can not tell. though one
may guess; but it was aSSuredly not for
her to say.
Farmer" said Stephen to Black
thorn. and ignoring MarriSh, I've
asked Patience, and she's said yes; so
who's the other man? I've right to
know-and from you"
Farmer Blackthorn was about to
speak: but Farmer Marrish broke in, u
his overmaStering way.
Its enough for Won, Stephen Har-
low, that Miss Patience will know her
duty and that Tom Blackthorn will keep
his word. Never mind my business;
y
were born"
Good Godr' cried Stephen, ''has il
come to this, that Patience is to be sold,
like the cows? By Heaven, it sha'n't
be!' He was forgetting himself; but
who would not have thrown manners to
the wind?
Farmer Blackthorn choked, gasped
and was again about to speak; but
again Farmer Marrish, ever on the
watch, took the word.
Its hard lines for you, Stephen.
But would You have the heart to drag
the man that's been more than a COM
mon father to you deeper down into the
. mire? Look here; Tom Blachthorn
here must choose between losing Pa
thence or losing Legs Croft. If Patience
was to marry You, as sure as eggs Tom
Blackthorn would have to quit Legs
Croft, that mortgaged stick and stone,
over head and ears. It's my business
that Tom Blackthcrn shouldn't be driv-
en- out of house and home at nigh three
score and ten. And won't see it done,
not for all the love nonsense in the
world. Miss Patience is to marry mon
ey; and Tom Blackthorn is to keep the
land"
Patience and Stephen, though their
hands were now apart, held one anOth-
er by the eyes In hers was growing
despair. 1t scaS her duty to keep the
land at any cost-that, not even love
could deny. But to learn her duty with
in the first minute of giving away her
heart-that was hard indeed to bear If
only Stephen had never come back,
then, indeed, she might have braced