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

ing, her father told her he could not be
happy with Mrs. Jakes, and that he
must have his daughter with him. He
said Mr.. Rogers had invited them to
ThoIdale until they could find a home;
but Lucy refused this invitation, and
they moved into a little cottage just
outside Mr.. Rogers garden. The girl
laid aside her book, and sat puzZling
over her own thoughts. She had abso.
lutely refused to keep a servant, so she
seldom had a quiet time like this. In
the old days Mr.. Rogers seemed to care
for her, and she knew her father
thought so. Since they had come so
near him, Mr.. Rogers had only come
twice to see her father On Sunday after
moons while Lucy was at church.
At first she had felt glad of this
avoidance. Her pride shank from see
ing the man from whom her father
had accepted so much obligation. She
did not know whether the weekly
money Somery gave her for food and
necessaries did not also come from Mr..
Rogers. Lately she had earned a little
by doing plain sewing for the Rector's
daughter. But for this lady's visits
Lucy would have no one to speak to.
Lucy's thoughts had gone back a
good way. How kind MI. Rogers used
to be. She could remember when she
looked forward to his visits, and all at
once he had become so stern In his
manner to her, and she had shrunk
from seeing him. What was itp What
had come between her and her old
friend? And then a vision of . fair
face, with passionate, adoring blue
eyes, passed before the girl, and she put
up her hand to shut 1t out.
The gate clicked, opened, and ONE
n came iii, Lucy looked up and saw.
Mr.. Rogers.
lie did not see her, as she sat q little
hidden by her fathers chair. He came
up to Somery, beaming with smiles;
and there he saw Lucy, and a grave
awkward expression took their place.
4 hope l see you well, Miss Somery,'
he said. stif1y.
Somery remarked the change of tone.
He looked anxiously from one to the
other.
What is it2 Have you two quar-
.reledP'
The farmers voice was so fesble
that the question sounded pathetic.
Rogers stared deiantly; he felt too
nervous to speak.
Lucy put her hand in his.
Il I'M so glad to see you at last she
said, gratefully. Il have been wanting
to thank you for giving us this cottage
Why should you thank me? l am
glad to have a tenant in IT, He turned
away and began to talk 10 Somery.
Lucy waited. Her father tried TO draw
her into the talk, but Rogers would
not have it; he would not address a
word to her.
Presently she went indoors and came
out again with her hat on.
Goodbye. father. I'll soon be back.
Good day, Mr.. Rogers
She nodded as she passed him.
She went in the opposite direction
from Thordale, along a lane fragrant
with honeysuckle, Haunting its pinh
and yellow beauty on the hedges. at
the end of half an hour she thought she
might go back. Her heart was sore.
L will keep out Of his way in FUTURE
she thought.
She turned and saw Rogers coming
towards her.
Lucy held her head up, and a warm
flush rose on her cheeks.
He stopped when they met, and Lucy
melted when she saw how sad his eyes
were.
Mr.. Rogers, how have l vexed your
Please tell me; if | can mend it, let me
mend it, won't you?'
His stern frowp frightened her; he
put out his hand to stop her words.
Don't speak like that he said.
what l had to do was hard enough,
and you have made it harder. Your
father well, I've promised him III
ask you to marry me. Walt, if you
please. 1 know on your side it would
only be a bargain, but, Of course, it
would add to his comforts. Please
understand, l came to say this before
you spoke as you did Just now.'
Lucy had Redeemed, then she grew
white, and looked at him with such
scared eyes that he was frightened.
There, there, take my arm. Pm a
brute to think of my feelings at ALL
He took her hand and put it IN his arm,
but she drew 1t away.
please don't mind, she said; may 1
ask two questions2'
He gravely bent his head. This mans
heart was beating strongly, but he kept
his eyes from her fair face.
Won't you tell me why-why you
let off being friends with mer Was it,
she stammered--'was it because Of
Walter Player9'
His face said Yes but he did not
answer.
The next question did not come so
easily to Lucy. She twisted her fingers
together more than once before she
spoke.
is it, she said, abruptly, because of
father that you ask me toto marry
you?'
He could speak now. His soul
seemed to shine out of his eyes as he
fixed them on her.
MY GIRL he said, can't you feel how
much | love you?'
A week after, Rogers came to the
cottage. He did not smile at Lucy,
though she had promised to be his wife;
he asked to speak alone with her.
Look here'-he did not offer to kiss
her, he had gone back to the old
brotherly manne he used to have be-
fore her troubles-'Walter Player is
going to Melbourne he said, but he
wants to see you first. Go out and say
goodbye to him, Lucy; you'll find him
at the gate. III go and talk with your
father.'
Lucy looked at him, then she stood a
moment thinking.
Well, LASS he said, why not-why
not see the ladp'
She put her arms round his neck and
kissed him.
You are a noble man. JOHN she
SAID softly, as she felt his strong heart
beats. we will go to the gate together,
dear, and say goodbye to Walter
Player
John put his hand on her head, but
he only said in a choked voice, God
bless you.'