The Northern Pacific farmer., 1885-04-02
Jessie; as she followed her into the

claimed Caroline. IL Thought you ha-
ted him; but there, think he would
talk anyone over with that pleasant
voice Of his.'
Jessie thought sd too; but she did
not give vent to her opinion in words.
She was looking unusually well; col
flush upon her cheeks that made her
look SO lovely. There was a change
in her tonight, and her sister was
vaguely conscious of it, as the girl
stood looking down into the glowing
fire in the Kitchen CRATE.
"Our Jessie is growing regular
beauty" observed Caroline to her
father; whom her sister had gone up to
bed.
Handsome is as handsome does"
returned Mr.. Maybrick, putting away
at his pipe. Jessie's education had
cost him no end of money, while the
more homely Caroline had put pounds
in his pocket.
But Mr.. May brick had no eye for
beauty. He was not like his lodgor,
who could get very little sleep for
thinking of pair of bright eyes and a
slim girlish figure.
Next morning, as Mr.. Leit4 sat at
breakfast, he caught sight or Jessie
talking to stoutly built, curly head
ed young fellow, and his heart gave a
jealous throb.
Who was that rustic she see$ med so
interested imp He could not be her
sweetheart-surely girl lik3 Jessie
would not throw herself away IN such
an awkward cub.
Mr.. Leith tried to read his 'ewspa.
per, and forget the happ! 2oking
couple in the garden; but it no
use.
There they were, parading up and
down in the full view of his window,
and now and then their voices were
waited to him on the breeze.
| He felt he could stand it no longer.
and slammed down the window in a
rage. What was the use of coming to
the country for quiet, if people would
persist in making such q racket?
| He took his hat and went for a
walk, and when he returned home, b ad
tho pleasure of seeing that rustic
through the kitchen window, dining
with the family.
Mr.. Leith closed the door of his
room; but he could not shut out the
sound of that fellows noisy laughter.
"If he is frequent guest, my stay
here will not be of very long DURATION"
he thought.
Presently, to his intense annoyance,
. he saw Jessie and the stranger out in
the garden again, and after his own
dinner had boen served, he heard Miss
Caroline calling them in to tea, and
found that the young mans name was
Bob-detestable name! Mr.. Leith had
never felt more miserable than he did
that evening, and his life had not been
devoid of trouble
| Mr.. Leith was sitting in the dark.
and presently heard voices outside the
door.
II am sure he is out, child,' said
Caroline. ':The lamp is not lit-you
can 20 in and play for a little while,
and Mr.. Leith will never be a bit the
WISER"
He did not hear Jessie answer-her
voice was not so loud, but the door
opened, and she came into the room,
going straight over to the piano.
Mr.. Leith held his breath. lying
back in the arm chair, while Jessie
played softly in the darkness.
He could see the dim outline of her
form, as she sat at the piano for what
little light there was fell upon her.
He was angry with her-most unrea-
sonably angry, but he could not lose
the chance of speaking to her alone.
''Miss Jessie, - he said quietly.
Jessie gave faint scream. He had
frightened her so much that she
trembled like leaf. She was going
to run out of the room, when his voice
arrested her movement.
II shall be sorry that I revealed my
self if you are going to run away" he
went on. cit is not often I have the
chance of hearing you playing, Miss
Jessie.'
Jessie sat down at the piano, but
she did not play. Her little brown
hands wore trembling too much. MIR.
Leith rose, and stood by her side.
II shall be gong back to London,
soon," he said, ''and it will be pleas
ant to think of these few moments
spent with you at the piano"
''l ou are going away soon,' falter-
ed Jessie, and something In her voice
made George Leith's heart beat more
quickly.
Il saw you with that young fellow
to-day" he said abruptly. "You
seemed very happy"
''Bob and I are always like that, "
observed Jessie, her eyes beginning to
sparkle, and little smile quivering
on her sweet lips. But George Leith
could not see these signs of merri-
ment.
''Iuhope you always will be-" he
said. MAY wish you every happi-
ness?''
"You may if you like," said Jessie
with an odd little break in her voice,
for she was trying hard to smother
her laughter.
''When is it to BOP" asked Mr.. Leith,
trying to speak lightly, but not sue
ceeding very we'll.
"When is what to be?' asked Jessie
with little gasp.
''Your marriage, of COURSE" re-
turned Mr.. Leith, rather coldly, for
he knew now that she was laughing at
him.
Il think you are putting the cart
before tho horse" obser we'd Jessie, de-
murely.
"What do you mean?'' no asked i'm
patiently.
II mean" said Jessie, growing sud-
denly dignifed, ''that I have no lover,
SO it is rather premature to talk of my
marriage"
"Then that young man7" began Mr..
Leith.
sis the afianced husband of my
dearest friend" AS she uttered these
words Jessie rose from tho piano to
6nd herself clasped in the arms of her
fathers lodger.
"And to think" said Miss May
brick aftorward, ''that you should
make all that fuss about Mr.. Leith
coming, and then marry him after all!
I was never so surprised in my life!'
ut is the best thing that could have
happened to her," observed her father.
"She never would have been worth
anything as farmers wife," and in