The Wahpeton times., 1889-08-08

cure our miss of oil she ails."
Cook is an unteeling wretch" replied Al.
fred.
"Bless your heart. it belongs to her place,
or how could she skin them rabbits? ha! ha!
Who shall say was asking for her? for my
work is q bit behindhand.
Alfred took the hint reluctantly, and drew
out his card-case, saying. "For Mr.. Edward
Dodd." She gave her clean but w<tish
hand hasty wipe with her apron, End
took the card; he retired; she stood on E,e
step and watched him out of sight, sab
"Oh!' and took his card to the kitchen fol(
preliminary inspection and discussion.
Alfred Hardie was resolute, but sensitive.
He had come ON the wings of Love and Hope;
he went away heavily; housemaid's ton.
que had shod his elastic feet with lead in q
moment; of all misfortunes sickness was what
he had not anticipated, for she looked
immortal. Perhaps it was that fair and
treacherous disease, consumption. Well, it
it WIS., he would love her all the more, would
wed her as soon as he was of age, and carry
her to some soft Southern cline, aud keep
each noxious air at bay, and prolong her
life, perhaps save it.
And now he began to chafe at the social
cobwebs thnt kept him from her. But. just
as bis impatience was about to launch him
into imprudence he was saved by genuine
descendant OF Adam. James Maxley kept
Mr.. Hardie's little pleasaunce trim as trim
could be, by yearly contract. This entailed
short but frequent visits; end Alfred often
talked with him: for the man was really q bit
Of q character; had u shrewd rustic wit and
q ready tongue, was rather too fond oflaw,
and much too fond ofmoney; butscrupulous-
" honest: head as long as Cudworth's but
broader; and could not read line One day
he told Alfred that he must knock off now,
tain was due: and on no account would lie,
Maxley, allow that there ragged box round
the captains quarterback; THAT is how liz
do name their little mossel of lawn; and
there he walks for q wager. athirt and
across, across and athirt, five steps and then
about; and Id almost bet We halfpenny he
thinks hisself on the salt sea ocean, bless his
silly old heart
All this time Alfred, after the first of joyful
surprise, was secretly thanking his stars for
sending him an instrument. TOlearn wheth-
er she had returned, he asked Maxley wheth.
er the ladies had sent for him.
Not they" said Maxley, rather con-
temptuously;. "what do women-foIk care
about border, without tits lace one to
their night-caps; for none but the devil to
see. Not as have aught to say again the
pair; they keep their turf tidyish-and pay
ready money-nnd a few flowers in their
pots; but the rest may shift for ITSELF Yesee
Master Alfred" exclaimed Maxley, wagging
his head wisely, "nobody's pride can be
everywhere; now, theirs is in. a-doors their
withdrawing-roomi it's like the Queens pal
ace, my missus tells me; she is wrapped up
in 'em, ye know. But the captain for my
money"
The sage shouldered his tools and departed.
But he left good hint behind him. Alfred
hovered about the back door next day till he
caught Mrs. Maxley; she supplied the house
with eggs and vegetables; Gould she tell
him whether his friend, Edward Dodi, was
likely to come home soon?" She thought
not; he has gone away to study. 'Hehasn't
much headpicce, you know, not like what
Miss Julia have. Mrs. and Miss are to le
home to-day: they wrote to cook this morn
ing. shall be there tomorrow sartain,
and I'll ask in the kitchen when Master Ed.
ward ia coming back"
Alfred saw he had fallen into the. right
hands: here was good soul who only want
ed starting to give many answers to few
questions. He rehected moment, and then
asked her could she bring him two fresh eggs
every morning?
w no Detter: SAID Rhe. why, we do
lny our own; only they come n little
penny's not much to the likes OF you"
Good things are never cheap" said the
sly boy; $50 if you will be upo:. honor that
they are yours, and fresh, I'll stand six
pence for two every morning"
'.Sixpence or n couple OF eggs!" cried Mrs.
Maxley, flushing all over with the desire OF
gain. Il dursn't do it; Jim, he'd kill me-"
''Nonsensel 1t is not for the eggs only,
but your trouble of bringing them; why, it is
halfa n mile"
so tits. In. to think of gentleman
like you vallying n poor woman's time: and
you got nothing do with yourn, but fling it
away on cricketing and farming, which they
don't make nobody rich. they DON'T
Love and avarice soon struck O bargain,
and for once the nobler passion became as
early q bird as the other. and picked up
many good crumb bofintelligence. The la
dies Of Albion Villa were good kind ladies';
the very maid servants loved them; Miss
was more for religion than her mother, and
went to St. Anne's church Thursday even.
tied some poor women in the parish with
food and clothes; Mrs. Dodd could not
sleep wink when the wind blew hard at
night; but never complained. only came down
pale to breakfast Miss Julia's ailment was
nothing to speak of, but they were in care
ALOnR OF DelnS 50 WCIpc up III uer, ana NO
wonder, for il ever there was duck
Acting on this intelligence. Alfred went early
the next Sunday to st. Anne's church, and
sat down in the side gallery at its east end.
While the congregation flowed quietly in. the
organiat played the Agnus Del of Mozart.
Those pious tender tones stole over this hot
young heart, and whispered, peace! be still"
He sighed wearily. ana it passed through his
mind that it might have been better for him,
and especially for his studies, if he had never
seen her. Such instints are often prophetic
Suddenly the aisle seemed to Tighten up; she
was gliding along it, beautiful as May, and
modesty itself in dress and carriage. She
went into pew. and kneeled a minute. then
seated herself and looked out the lessons for
the day. Alfred gazed at her face: devoured
it. But her eyes never moved. She seemed
to have put off feminine curiosity, and the
world. at the church door. Indeed. he wish
ed she was notso heavenly discreet; herla
were delicious. bnt he longed to $40 her eyes
once more: to catch a glance from them, and,
by it, decipher bis fate.
"But, no: she was there to worship. and
did not discern her earthly lover, whose
longing looks were glued to her, and his
body rose and sank with the true worshipers,
but with no more spirituality than piston.
or Jack-in-the.box.
In the last hymn before the sermon. a well.
meaning worshiper in the gallery, delivereda q
Leading note, high one, with great zeal, but
small precision, being about n semitone fiat;
at this outrage on her too sensitive ear Julia
Dodd turned her head swiftly to discover the
offender; and failed; but her two sapphire
eyes met Alfred's point blank.
She was crimson in moment, and lowered
them on her book again, as ifto look that
way was to sin. 1t was but fash; but
sometimes a flash fires mine. -
The lovely blush deepened and spread be.
Z foSo 1t melted away. and Alfred slate cooling