The Springdale news., 1889-01-11
CHAPTER vIn.-CoNTINurD.

GhAIIEh Nlll.-1ONT1NUED.
 Percival found himself in snug quartDrs at the sSaracen's Head,n and under the care of .'mine host' and the doctor was soon on his feet again and all right, except for his broken arm. Come into the ball room tonight for bit, sir said our old friend Goodspeed on the day of the ball to Percival, who, he thought, was looking somewhat blue and lonesome. 'The ladies and gentlemen are not so particular at our Weirdale assembly as they are at the Stagborough County ball, though I tell you what it is, sir, none bat the gentlemen farmers, as 1 call them, come here, and good many of the landlords come, too. Anyhow, it strikes me you are a born gentleman, Nr. Douglas, and you may rely on a hearty welcome, sir.a But, my good friend,h replied Perciyal, 'I am only half better of sprained ankle and still carry my arm in sling; can not dance much us 1 would like to accept your kind invita- tion.i
 'No matter, sir,' rejoined the good-na- tured inn. keeper, ''you can look on, and if there is no one else for you to talk to there will be your friend Master Wilson, who took care of you at Mill Hill the night of the runaway. He always comes with his wife and family Nice folks those, sir and, be- tween you and me, sir, Master Wilson's a gentleman born.'
 You say MT. Wilson, of Mill Hill, will be here with his famly!r asked Percival, sud denly aroused to interest; "then think I will look in for awhile between the danc- ing.i
 The Weirdale Assembly Rooms, which formed part of the inn property, were brilliantly lighted and decorated with con- siderable taste. The guests had all arrived and dancing had been going on for some time when Percival entered the rooms. He immediately recognized the family from the Manor farm and walked right up to the farmer, who was, like himself, only Hook ing on,n
 '' Howd'ye do, sir? inquired the elder man. Have you quite recovered from the effects of that unlueky ride!h
 We'll, yes, thank you said Pereival. "I am all right. except that I am forced to carry this confounded arm in a sling for several weeks. Allow me to inquire after your wife and daughter, Mr Wilson,
 They are all here and can speak for them selves when this dance is over My dancing days are past, Mir. Douglas, but like to see the girls and boys enjoying themselves. n
 Maggie Wilson was there, thoroughly happy She had different partner for every dance and her programme had been filled before she was in the room ten min utes. Tom Wilson was there looking as though he cared less for dancing than his father did. The fact was the lad was great ly altered sInce the ball of one year be- fore. Even now he was thinking more of Lawrence Lovejoy and the starving poor thaa of the dancing and mirth around him George Foster was there, too, just q little jealous of Maggie's fiirtations, although the rascal himself was carrying on just IS many as she But Percival was looking for none of these. If only he could see tidt fdee' An, there it is and its owner Is the "obseryed of all observers. " That girl is more like princess than a farmers daughter. In her dress of pure white, her black hair neatly arranged and set of with one crimson rose, she looks perfectly lovely as she glides to and fro, and PereivaIs ideas of abstract goodness, purity and so forth are dispersed to the four winds as he acknowledges that 1t is the woman herself he would worship. As hc says to himself. he would sell his soul for one word from her, if necessary He pays his respects to Mrs. Wilson and Maggie and then re. quests the farmer to introduce him to hIs other daughter
 "l have no other daughter,n explained Matthew Wilson.
 "Surely,n said PercivaI, | saw that lady in white at your house. and took her for your daughter Pray pardon me
 "Oht' laughed the farmer that is Rachel, who Is as good as our daughter eh, Tomt Come here, my dear, a moment tthls to Percivals ideal of goodness, who was just then approaching the partyl My dear, this Is Mir. Douglas, who was hurt near our place the other night. Mr Doug las, this is Miss Rachel Foster. my pros pective daughter-n-law
 Percival bowed deeply. Usually he could lind compliments by the bushel, but he felt that stereotyped compliment would be al most an insult if offered to Rachel She was the first to speak, and. oh 5aw her words thrilled him. Il was so sorry 10 know of your accident, Mr. Douglas. 1 need not ask if you are better, although 1 see you are not quite recovered. a
 "Thank you,e he replied, and he was obliged, after all. to fall back on a eompli- ment as he continued " I would willingly meet with such an accident every week of my life if each would bring me as near so much goodness and beauty as this one did. Nay have the pleasure of the next dance
 on your programme, Miss Foster" < 'c me, MT Douglas, if say that I
 'ardly fiji To dance, she said Z 4 S> epchcd his lame arm Il v for awhile and shall be
 .ir company" Shc spoke
 s1 S$s and Pereival would have
 2worlds end, at tha, mo
 Expressed wish to that :, s,AzssHssev swi,h commonplace sSr worked around 10 E hn which Pcrcival
 sa= s#s es@Nl far better versed
 ssss SAas. with the true x ssssz s e- sz#oteetlohist, and he ss,llIQu of free-trade