The Irish standard., 1889-03-09
Fanny opened her big, black eyes.
"But we must live somewhere, Pardon"

s'You and ! can 60 out to service" said
Pardon. GAS for father, there is the poor
acuse."
Fanny uttered wall of despair.
"No, no, dear; don't look 80 distressed"
laid the elder sister, repenting the rash
1ess of her speech. II don't really mean 1t,
I'm cross, that is all. It's hard doing the
work Of hired man, servant girl and house
keeper all in one I shall feel better to-
morrow after I've had a nights sleep. I
haven't got to get up early and milk poor
I'D Pink any more"
And once again the sisters mingled their
ears.
s:If father had only mended those bars"
said Fanny. SIT was SO unlucky-"
But Pardon put her hand over her sis
er's lips.
/" Not that word, Fanny" said she. Ere
member it's forbidden.''
The two girls were washing up the break
last dishes the next day in the temporary
lbsence of Glr. Darwin, who had strolled on
,oward the post-of1ce to see if the mail was
II, when Squire Citing crossed the thresh-
3D.
Gather amt to hum, eh?' said he.
well, reckon I can talk things over just
IS well with you, Pardon"
"What things!' said Pardon, distrustful-
s That there skatln' rink, down by the
axe" said Mr.. Etting, Sithat John James
quilt. It's goin' to be good hard winter il
;here's any truth in signs, and I've notion
70 buy the concern, just as it stands: and
.un the rink myself. The land belonged to
Jour mothers estate, and I s'pose you and
he gal here have the right to sell it,
;Yes," said Pardon, her eyes fixed calm
y on the Squire's wooden visage. "What
will you give for its"
"Wal, it amt with so dreadful much"
said the squire, evasively. "Say hum
;red dollars for the building and two acres
y land
Pardon shock her head
81 won't sell it for that" said she, de-
;idedly.
"I dunno what you want to keep it for"
said the squire, jrritably. "Your father
.,nk."
ct know that" said Pardon, firmly,
but don't intend to be swind}ed, all the
,ame.''
The squire stamped out Of the room in a
rage.
ssThen drive q better bargain with some
body else, ii you cam" said he, viciously.
"Pardon, Pardon!'' whispered Fanny.
close to her elbow, call him back! A
hundred dollars Is a great-great sum OF
noney!'
"No'' said Pardon. will not call him
pack. Let NE think!'
''Bu5 what will father says"
"Father need never know, Fanny. 1T is
Is Squire Hitting says. the Land is all that is
eft Of oux poor mothers property. 1t is
,urs to sell or to keep, as we please. The
turnber alone for that poor building cost
John James nearly one hundred dollars.
The squire THINKS he can safely cheat as,
because we are pniv women. But he Will
ind himself mistaken
Sac put on her green giughtsm sun bonnet
that afternoon and went over &c the Mer-
.itt farm. Joel Merritt was Just driving
through the big gates with q load Of wood.
s'Im SC sorry,' said Joel conrteoIsly
lifting his cap Mother has gone over to
quilting-bee at Mrs. Dikes'. Won't you
step in aud restS''
Pardon took OF her green SUE bonnet and
tanned herself with it. Her cheeks were
pink; her lovely hazel eyes spanked
"But it isn't your mother came to see.
,oel,'' said she. Z" I wanted TO speak to
rou!''
Joel Jumped of the load, threw the reirs
IN OLD Sorrel's back, and came up to her,
with 81 countenance of some surprise.
'sMe?H he repeated, reddenjng a little.
For of all created beings he thought Par
1on Darwin the most beautiful and win
oing.
"Yes,' sale Pardon, still deeply absorbed
in her Own plans and ideas. CHOW would
you like, Joel, to &c into partnership with
me?"
with you, Pardona"
He caught his breath
"Ycs,'' frankly spoke the girl. ''Of all
our neigbbors think you are the most hon
est and reliable, I've known you ever since
We were children together, and
"Say not another word, Pardon!' joy
busly cried the young man, taking both her
hands ia mis-, while his whole face grew ra-
aiant. ':Oh, you don't know how proud,
how happy you make me! For I've loved
you this long time, Pardon, only l never
dared to tell you So; and mother will be SO
gl.d to call you daughter Give me a kiss,
Pardon-my little shrinking love-iust one
kiss. SO that I may be sure I'm not dream
ngp
But to his dismay Pardon struggled to free
herself and began to cry impetuously
ell don't know what you nlean!' said
she. "Let re go, Joel Merritt"
"But, Pardon, you said yourself"
sit was the skating rink that poor s5ohn
James built on Deep lake!' taltered Par
don, on the verge of new tears. ell
wanted you to help me fit it ny and manage
it this winter. never dreamed Of asking
you toto Oh, Joel, what must you have
thought OF me!'
"Then you didn't meant after all!' said
Joel, dropping his arms to his sides aud
standing with blank face before her. 'You
don't care for met"
Pardon stood silent a moment, twisting
her apron strings, while the soft glow still
burned on her cheeks.
A sudden light flashed into Joel's sun
burned face.
"My own lovel' he cried out, valiantly,
tspn take the skating -rink, but you've got
to be thrown into the bargain, too! Say
you'll consent, Pardcnr' =
And at all events Pardon did not refuse.
"Ehu' said Asa Darwin, when the facts
of the case became patent to his rather
dense understanding, ''young Merit going
to finish up the rink before frost come! And
engaged to our Pardon, too? Well, de-
clare, that is a piece Of luck!''
And this time Pardon took no exceptions
tn the obnoxious WOrd.---S1t,lrduy Night.