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

mlscnieI-maklng. but the way to tax
that would be to take care that no mis-
chief should be made. Stephen false t
her or any other girl or woman-why
it was as impossible as that the sun q
heaven should lie She knew what sh
would do. She would meet Stephe
with her whole heart in her hands
show him the foul and venomous thing
and triumph in the way in which b
would crush the sting.
But, then, he must return. Sh
wished he was not away Just then
though the letter had piqued her into
trust that silent absence, though twic
as long. could not subdue. Farmer Mar
rish, could he have seen into her heart
would have been amazed indeed. Sh,
had no errands in the village, but, hav
ing eased her heart by a space of soil
tude, she returned. Perhaps Stephel
was already there.
He was not there, however, even vet
She went to her household work, ane
sang. No; nothing-neither silence
nor absence, nor slander-should eve
come between her Stephen and her
What is love without trust? There j.
no such thing, and if there be not trus
in the teeth of proof enough to hang ,
man ten times over, then the so-calleC
love is sham. Love me, but never
believe me-" runs the refrain of a song
One might as well say, trust me bu
never believe me; it would be the self
same thing. She was feeling, though
not thinking this, when she heard the
hoofs of horse ciatter up to the side
door. But even this was not Stephen
1t was only the new hostler from the
Half Moon. What could he be want
ing? 1t might be a message, though.
She broke off in her song, and went her.
self to see.
'Can | see Farmer Blackthorn. miss?''
asked the lad.
Farmer Blackthorn was about, and
was soon found. The lad pulled his
cap as if to Squire. for Tom Black
thorn had many popular memories
about him. since the days when he had
tried to live like one.
There's gentleman of the name of
Harlow here?' asked the hostler
said her father, what of him?"
''Only that he was at our house night
afore last, and when he went in the
morning left these here things behind
The master thought I'd best bring 'em
over, as they might be of valley. Here
they be-
''Stephen at the Half Moon! Nom
sense said Farmer Blackthorn, But
that's his pocket-book. sure enough
eh, Patience? You ought to know. Ay
and here's letters in it, Mr.. S. Har-
low. That's mighty queer. What
should he be sleeping for at the Half
Moon instead of homer"
That's more than l know of, your
honor. He took bed, and next morn
ing he was off afoot and that's all
know. Shall l leave the things or take
'em away?"
No. Leave 'em. He'll be here by
and by. Go and get some ale; and
here's something for your ride" Farm
er Blackthorn's pocket held just shil-
ling, and it went at once into the host
ler's palm. And it was unlucky for the
hostler that the pocket had not held
two. Patience said he. when the
lad had gone into the kitchen for his
ale, this is queer. Stephen putting up
at house like the Half Moon, within
stones throw, two nights ago. Do you
know what it mesns?"
NO" said she. Business, I sup
pose
But Farmer Blackthorn knew what
business" too often means only too
well. He had been young, and be
was Dicks father Business be
hanged. Do you mean to say you've
heard nothing of him all this while?"
mo, father. But
:. But be hanged. too. like to un-
derstand everything; and will. A low
er's quarrel
.'Father! Quarrel with Ste2hen-I!"
t.And gone off afoot, and never come
home. Holloa-what this?' he asked,
the pocket-book, from which
a half-open letter fluttered to the
ground. Yes; must read it; will.
precious thing-to let a thing like
that stand betwixt my only girl and a
man, if he were Prince of Wales. NV
darling-I will meet you at Your
own loving Katen A love-letter, and
hot one, too. All. Master Stephen-PI
COX a bit further before I've DONE
For shame. father!' cried she.
Give me the book-the letter. 1t is
his; not ours"
'Not ourss Then whose is it, if You
please? No; will not give you the
etter. It's mine. Nobody's but mina
mine and viper's, Patience; a vipe-,
ike the one that stung the man that
Rarmed him, in the tale. And that's
hs man I thought better than Dick,
oor lad-no; not poor lad, Patience
ever let me hear you name Dick again!
ut Dick, hang him, never made love
, one girl while he carried another's
.tter next his heart, that I'll swear.
hat comes of thinking the son of q
runken blacksmith could change his
Dots-Tll never think so second time,
5 sure as my names Tom Blackthorn.
ever you mind, my lass Ineyer did
link him tit for you. Put him out of
our mind. As for his money-who
ants his money? And as for him.
lere; thank the chance that's found
i'm out. Never you worry about a
my lass. I've got a stick
It'll fit his back to T, and I'll 60
yer to Marrish for another loan"
With that other letter burning in her
ocket-where was the trust now?
Thy, in her heart of hearts-where else
lould it be I?
He will come - father, he tciU |
'men' was all she could cry.
But the days passed. and the weeks,
I'd Stephen Harlow never came homo
FABLE THE FOURTH.
THE CAT AND THE CHEsTNUrs.
Across wide, sloping plain, almost
,sert-like in its wide expanse, and
lder blazing sky, Dick Blackthorn