The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1885-04-08
FABLE THE THrRD.-coSrrSuED.

It was a poor end 10 her broken re-
solve-going out for Stephen Harlow
and bringing home Farmer Marrish.
But she assuredly could not GO on
lingering there for man who did not
come.
"Father will be glad to see you when
ever you like" said she. The invita-
ton was not very graciously given; but
she did not feel gracious, and could not
seem TO be what she was not by merely
trying, even II she had tried. But
Enoch Marrish could not expect every
thing all at once; and she had not bid
den him 90 away.
So he walked beside her back to Leys
Croft talking of the harvest and Of
money, and otherwise making love
after an invisible fashion, but never
once mentioning Stephen. No ho
could not have come across him at
Manchester; that was clear. Nor was
the truaut about the place when she
got home. Nearly two days without n
word-it was getting strange.
"Why, where's StephenP' asked Tom
Blackthorn 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 II their being
still debtor and creditor were merely
an empty form, only waiting TO be
swept away by stroke of the pen. ~
tell you what Patience, when you're
Mrs. Harlow, you must keep your man
to meal-times; unless, maybe, at har-
vest and such like times. never kept
dinner waiting, no, nor supper, since |
was born. This won't do. ..ar
Hes over at Manchester on business,
father" said she. ...r#
Business, ehP' said her father, who
seemed in an especially jovial mood.
II say, Marrish, though--don't that
put you in mind Of an old time or twoP
business at Hunchester;' Lord, what
pecks Of wild oats that used TO be bin
for! But I forgot; you never sowed that
sort of crop. No, nor Stephen. Come,
lass. you needn't begin TO look like q
cabbage rose. Stephens as good lad
as Marrish there used to be. When he
says business, he means business; and
nv 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" t.f I.I-
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 atLeys Croft before
bedtime. People who mold circum-
stance must expect good many un-
comfortable hours. And II anything 30
inconyient should happen. 1t would not
do for him to be out Of the way. So he
Z even outstayed his welcome, and, to
spin, out the time. took more than one
nightcap; which, as IL 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
IL hadn't been for that young Harlow
I mightn't have had another Joke left to
come. What o thing Il Is TO be pretty
girl. Poor Marrish-hanging round
fhe honey-pot when all the honey's
gone. But bless my soul-what am
sayingf Another joke--another joke,