The Penn's Grove record., 1889-09-14

all. II scented as if SHE could not say
another word till she had reached hei
father.
Farmer Somery still lay in bed or or
the sofa, but he was now conscious OF
the changes that had taken place dur
ing the weeks of his illness. Mrs.
Jakes was housekeeper, Lucy was
nurse, an active, n~eat-handed maid had
taken Peggy's place. Mr.. Rogers often
came, but Walter rarely showed him.
self indoors.
To-day Somery had received his SEN
tence from the doctor.
He was partly paralyzed, and there
was little hope that he would regain
the use of his Limbs. but his power of
speech was not aft cted, and he might
live for years to come. Lucy had been
in the room during the doctors visit,
and there had been silence since.
She sat beside the invslid's sofa,
thinking. She had been devoted to her
father through this long illness, and
had resisted Walters ~entreaties to come
out and have a talk. She could not
see her way. Walter could not man.
age the farm without help, and how
could they pay for help till the expenses
Of this illness were met? She wondered
il her father had laid by money. Wal
ter had not spoken openly, but she
knew that he loved her, and she-well,
she had not known what happiness
meant before Walter came to Low
Edge. Yet, now, in considering the
position, Lucy thought of her father,
and tried to but Walter and her feeling
for him aside.
Lucy She turned to the sofa, her
father looked very grave.
yes, father
DO you mind the day l was took i'll,
1 asked il you could spare Peggy9'
Yes, father
L ought to have told you then. l
ought to have said, Look here, lass.
Pm going to sign away every stick
belonging to me, so as to stave of my
creditors.'
Did you sign?' Lucy looked dazed.
Yes. Well, my lass, even that cup
and spoon belongs to John Rogers.
What can we do, 1ucy?'
Lucy's hands trembled 50 that she
turned away from the gaze he fixed on
her.
L must look to you now for help he
went on. Il can't renew the lease of
this place; likely as not a new tenant
has offered himself. Rogers got the
agent to waive the customary notice. >
Lucy rose IS she turned round. Her
arms hung straight beside her, but
there was a determined look on her
face.
Mr.. Rogers can advise you better
than l can. l should have said, Stay
on here;' but, then, l don't understand
business
He looked very sad, and she could
hear a sound Of reproach in his voice.
There's no money to pay men or
rent either. 1 owe still a few sums
which l did not care to trouble Rogers
with. L thought his face flushed,
this Michaelmas, when you come of
age. you'd maybe lend me the cash.
You know there's a hundred coming
to you then. won't take it all, child, ,
he said, pleadingly.
She gave him a cordial smile.
4 wish it had been more, father.
then you might have done without 80
much help from others.'
There was a pause. Lucy stared Into
the opposite wall. with her hands
clasped behind her.
You have not told me what we are
TO do Her father spoke fretfully.
Must w decide at oncsp' She had
been thinking, but she could not find a
way.
we ought not to lose time.' Then
he closed his eyes with q look Of relief,
AS if he had shifted his burden onto
competent shoulders.
Lucy began to walk up and down the
long room. Her youth seemed to nave
ended. The bright happiness of those
past six months had been, then, only an
unsubstantial dream. She must rouse
herself and set to work. For almost
the first time the girl realized her own
strength and energy. Yes, she must
work to support her father and pay his
debts.
At last she came back to the sofa.
She bent over her sleeping father, lis
tened, and then she went softly out at
the further end Of the long room.
Walter Player was standing near the
cartshed. His face was full of discon-
tent. 1t did not brighten when Lucy
came up to him.
'Good-day.' She had not seen him
for some time. He now took his meals
in the kitchen with Mra Jakes. Have
you heard that we are to leave Low
Edge?'
He put I'D one shoulder and looked
uneasy. y
ITS bad enough as 1t Is. Why do
you come and tell map Heard, dye
sayr Or course, everyone has heard
your fathers bankrupt
Lucy bowed her head, and a red flush
came in her cheeks.
What are you going to do?' she
asked. We must both work hard; l
shall try and get a place as lady's
maid.'
You'll go 10 service-youl' He
looked Disguised. Presently he took
her hand and clasped it between his.
Look here, he said hoarsely; Il meant
to have asked you to marry me; I was
going to do it-what was enough to
keep you and your father would keep
me-and then l got this news. / call
it a burning shame for a man to go on
keeping everything dark. and letting
others take fancies in their heads. II
I'd known the truth I'D not have stayed
a week in the place, and then 1 should
have been spared this
She looked up in surprise and yet
timidly; every word stabbed her, but as
she met his eyes the keenest wound of
all was his INCONSISTENCIES of her suf-
ferlng. His eyes were full of passionate
love, but Lucy felt a want of something
in their expression.
Goodbye she said, I'VE had better
part now. You will find friends
wherever you co. She could not
speak, she felt choked.
4 suppose l shall, but l shall nnd
nothing like you-you darling He
suddenly tried to put his arms around
her, but she drew herself away.
4 must see father first now,' she said;
but if he had not had this illness, 1t
might have been, Waiter
No. he said, angrily. 'Confound