The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1889-03-01
BLOOMSBURY, PA. FRIDAY MARCH L. 1889.

To see il the mail was in, when Squire
Etting crossed the threshold.
"Father amt to hum, eh?" said he.
"Well, reckon can talk things over
just as well with you, Pardon"
"What things'" said Pardon, dis
trustfully.
"That there skstin' rink. down by
the lake." said the Squire, "that John
James built. It's goin' to be a good
hard winter If there's any truth in
signs, and I've notion to buy the con.
cern, just as it stands, and run the rick
myself The land belonged to your
mothers estate, and spose you and
the gal here have the right to sell
it."
"Yes," said Pardon her eyes fixed
calmly on the Squire's wooden visage.
"What will you give for liz"
"Wal, 1t amt wuth so dreadful
mucb,' said the Squire, evasively.
"Say hundred dollars for the build.
ing and two acres O. land"
Pardon shook her head.
81 won't sell it for that" said she,
decidedly.
81 dunno what you want to keep it
for said the Squire, irritably. "Your
father he amt got the go to run a
skating rink
81 know that" said Pardon. firmly,
"but | don't intend to be swindled, all
the same"
The squire stamped out of the room
in rage.
"Then drive better bargain with
somebody else, if you can," said he vi
cously.
"Pardon, Pardon!" whispered Fan
ny, close to her elbow, ''call him back!
A hundred dollars is a great--great
SUN of money!"
"No," said Pardon. 81 will no,
call him back. Let me think"
"But what will father sayi'
"Fsther need never know, Fanny.
1t is as Squire Etting says, the land is
all that is left of our poor mothers
property 1t is ours to sell or to keep,
as we please. The lumber alone for
that building cost John james nearly
500. The Squire thinks he can safe.
ly cheat US, because we are only
women. But he will find himself mis-
| taken"
She put on her green gingham sun.
| bonnet that afternoon and went ovel
to the Merritt farm. Joel Merritt was
just driving through the big gates
with load of wood.
"Im so sorry" said Joel, courteously
lifting his cap. "Mother has gone
over to quilting bee at Mrs. Dikes'
Won't you step in aud rest'"
Pardon took off her green sun bon
net and famed herself with it. He
cheeks were pink; her lovely haze
eyes sparkled.
"But it isn't your mother I came tc
see, JOEL" said she. 81 want to speal
to youv
Joel jumped off the load, threw tn,
reins on old Sorrel's back, and came
up TO her, with countenance of some
surprise.
"Me?' he repeated, reddening lit
tie.
For of all created beings he though
Pardon Darwin the most beautiful ant
winning.
"Yes," said Pardon, still deeply alb
sorbed in her own plans and ideas
"How would you like, Joel, to go, into
partnership with met"
with you, Pardon'"
He caught his breath.
"Yes." frankly spoke the girl. 80
all our neighbors think you are tn
most honest and reliable. I've know
you ever since we were children, to
gether, and"
"Say not another word, Pardon!
joyously exclaimed the young man
taking both her hands in his, while hi
whole face grew radiant. COB, yol
don't know how proud, how happ,
you make me! For I've loved you thi
long time, Pardon, only l never daret
to tell you 80; and mother will be s.
glad to call you daughter. Give me
kiss, Pardon-my little shrinking low
just one kiss, SO that l may be sur
| lnal I'D not dreaming!
But to his dismay Pardon struggle,
to free herself and be- an to cry i'm
petuously.
"I-I don't know what you mean!
said she. Let me go, Joel Merritt!
But, Paldon, you said yourself
SIT was the skating rink that poo
John James built on Deep Lake" fa'
tered Pardon, on the verge of new
tears. "I--I wanted you to help m
fit it up and manage it this Winter
| never dreamed of asking you to--t,
Oh, Joel, what must you have though
of me?'
"Then you didn't mean it; after all7
said Joel, dropuing his arms to hi
sides, and standing with blank fac
before her "You don't care for mel
Pardon stood silent for a moment
twisting her apron strings, while tn
soft glow still burned on her cheeks.
A sudden light flashed into Joel
SUM- burned face.
"My own love!" he cried out valiant
ly, "lll take the skating rink, but you
We got to be thrown into the bargain
tool Say you'll consent, Pardonl"
Aud at all events Pardon did nc
refuse.
"Eh!" said Asa Darwin, when tn
facts of the case became patent to hi
rather dense understanding, ''youn
Merritt going 10 finish up the rink bt
fore frost comes. Aud engaged .
our Pardon, too? Well. declare tha
is piece of luck!"
| And th.s time Pardon took no g,
ceptions to the obnoxious word.-iSa
urday Night.