, 1888-12-27


"But We must live somewhere, Par.
don" said she. ooa.g'l,Iq...
''Yol and can 20 out To service" said
Pardon. "As for father, there is the poor.
Fanny uttered vail of despair.
mo, no, dear, don't look 80 distressed," I"
said the elder sister, repenting the rash.
ness OF her speech. II don't really mean
1t. I'm cross, that 10 all. lt's hard doing
the work OF hired man, servant girl ana
housekeeper all in one. shall feel better
Tomorrow after I've had nights sleep.
haven't got to get up. early and milk
roor old Pink any more" Rt'N .I.'
And once again the sisters mingled their
'If father had only mended those
bars" said Fanny. IL was 20 unlucky--"
But Pardon put her hand ON her sisters
lips.
mot that word. Fanny" said she.
Remember, it's forbidden" IrrH
The two girls were washing up the
breakfast dishes the next day in the ten.
pOrary absence OF Mr.. Darwin, who had
strolled of toward the postoftice to see II
the mail was In, when Squire Etting
crossed the threshold.
'Father amt to hum. eh?" said he.
Well. ! reckon can talk things over just
'Whst thingsp" said Pardon, distrust-
fully. - .I..s...,.. 6..5.-e,s
"That there skatin' rink, down by the
lake." said Mr.. Etting, that John James
built It's 0oin' TO be good hard winter,
II there's any truth in signs, and I've u
notion to bny the concern, just rs IL stands
and run the rink myself. The land be.
lonRed TO your mothers estate. and
spose you sAd the gal here have the right
to sell it."
YES" aaid Pardon. her eyes fixed
calmly on the Squire's wooden visage.
What will you give for it?"
"Wal. it amt wuth 30 dreadful much"
said the Squire. evasively, Soy ~ hundred
dollars for the building and two acres of
land"
Pardon shook her head.
II won't sell for that" she said, decid-
edly. ....... -.
~ dunno what you want to keep IL for"
said the squire, irritably. Your father
he ain't got the go to run skating
rink
II know that" said Pardon. firmly.
But don't intend to be swindled, all
the same?"
The squire stamped out Of the room in
rage.
Then drive better bargain with some-
UOuy else, III you Chu, shiu NC NiClously.
pardon! Pardon!' whispered Fanny,
close to her elbow, ''call him back. A
hundred dollars is o great-great sum Of
money!"
mo" said Pardon, ~ will not call him
back. Let me think"
"But what will father say"
Father need never know, Fanny. It
Is as Squire Fitting says, the land is all
that Is left of our poor mothers property.
II Is ours to sell or to keep, as we please.
The lumber alone for that poor building
cost John James nearly 300. The squire
thinks he can safely cheat US, because we
are only women. But he will find him
self mistaken"
She put on her green yingham sun.
bonnet that afternoon and we It over to
the Merritt farm. Joel Merritt was just
driving in through the big gates with u
load Of wood.
"l'm sorry" said Joel. courteously hit
ing his cap. Mother has gone over to a
quilting bee at Mrs. Dikes' Won't you
step in and restp"
Pardon took of her green sun.bonnet
and famed herself with it. Her cheeks
were pink; her lovely hazel eyes sparkled.
But it isn't your mother came to see,
Joel, said she. 81 wanted to speak to
you"
Joel jumped of the load. threw the
reins on Old Sorrel's back and catne mp to
ner with countenance of some surprise.
"MeP" he repeated, reddening little.
For all created being. he thought Par.
don Darwin the most beautiful and win.
ming.
Yes" said Pardon. still deeply an.
sorbed in her own plans and ideas. How
would you like. Joel, to 20 into partner
ship with me?"
with you. Pardon?"
He caught his breath.
Yes. frankly spoke the girl "Of all
our neighbors | think you are the most
honest and reliable. have known you
ever since we wers children together,
and"
''Say not another word. Pardon" joy
ously cried the young man. taking both
her hands In his, while his whole face
grew radiant. "Oh. you don't know how
proud. how happy You make me! For
I've loved yon this long time, Pardon, but
never dared to tell you so; and mother
will be so glad to call you daughter. Give
me a kiss, Pardon. my little shrinking
love-iust one kiss, so that ] may be sure
l am not dreaming.
But to his dismay Pardon struggled to
free herself and began to cry impetuously;
''I- don't know what you meant! said
She LET me go, Joel Merritt
but, Pardon, you said yourself"
1T WAS the skating rink that poor John
James built on Deep lakel" faltered Par
don. on the verge Of new tears. II
wanted yon to help me ct it up and man:
age it this winter ! never dreamed OF
asking you to--to- Oh, Joel. what must
you have thought Of me?"
Then you didn't mean it at all ?" said
Joel, dropping his hands to his slider, and
standing with a blank face before her.
you don't care for me?'
Pardon stood silent moment twisting
her apron strings, while the soft glow still
burned on her cheeks.
A snddpn lluhi flashed into Joela su