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

door left open by the exit OF Peggy and
| Dick, who had been called in as wit
nesses.
Il wish I could do something for you
Rogers he said.
John Rogers flushed. He opened his
mouth and tightly closed his lips to
| check the first words that had come.
He frowned q little, then
| you can do something for me. but
you will not like to do it, Somery.'
'Wellp' said the other.
IT'S the old grievance-that boy,
Walter Player. II you'll let me do it
I'll find him a good place, where he'll
get looked after and well pald.'
'Ahp Somery sighed and looked I'M
easy; you see l took him as a charge
poor Townsend asked 1t of me-
I've told you before.' Rogers said
lmpatiently, in your place / would not
have accepted such a charge. The
man died before his letter reached you.
\ There had been no pledge given on his
side-even if 1t were your friends son
/ could understand it; but the son OF
hisscousin. a fellow you know nothing
about You must excuse me, but it is
a quixotic piece of folly
He spoke roughly and turned again
to the window. Perhaps he did not
care to have his looks noticed while he
said:
He's no ct company for Miss Lucy;
he's a handsome loafer; that's what he
is.'
Somery smiled and closed his eyes,
but he looked grave again when his
| friend turned round to the table.
Where did you think of placing the
lad, Rogers?'
In Australia, with a man I've
known from a boy. He'd get plenty Of
work, plenty of food and thirty shillings
a week. 1t would be the making of the
fellow Rogers answered roughly.
The pond in the pig-yard was frozen
over, and the draggled ducks could only
paddle among the blaekened straw,
less happy than some cocks and hens
that were amusing themselves on the
dung heap at the farther end of the
yard.
Lucy's pale face had become rosy in
the cold, nipping air, and this tint
deepened when she reached the half
open barn door.
WdltcIt buo Sdlu III d louu NoiSCs
ARE you there?'
A lad came out so quickly that she
started back in surprise.
i thought you were at the farther
end, she laughed, and then they stood
looking at Il another. Walter was
hardly any taller than she was and IN
some ways he was very like her, though
his hair was yellow and shining instead
of being dark red and his fair skin was
more sunburt, but his eyes were as
blue as Miss Somery's were. Looking
at the two it seemed that she ought to
have been the man and Walter the
woman, he looked so weak and gentle,
while she looked calm and strong.
When Lucy spoke, however, she seemed
shy Of her companion.
viii you please go and see who has
comep' she said; She came on horse
back, SO you can tell without going in;
1 think it is Mr.. Rogers
Walters handsome face became
sulky. He moved slowly across the
yard; then he came back.
You want to know, l suppose, so
that you may 60 in and see him?'
The girl looked sorrowful at his
hooking tone.
That is not likely, and you know it;
I came here
Walter smiled; he drew nearer, but
she turned away.
Please make haste, she said; 4 have
to go and see Mrs. Jakes; it will be
dark Directly
He crossed the pig-yard. and opening
/ tho nofo u-apf fhrouoh tba farmyard
to the house.
Lucy did not wait for his return. 1t
occurred to her that Mr.. Rogers might
come out by the back way to look for
her, and she passed out into the lane,
which took a sudden bend towards the
village in the opposite direction from
the pIg-yard.
Mrs. Jakes' cottage was up a turn
ing on the left. 1t had only three
rooms, but it looked neat; the green
spikes Of crocus and snowdrops already
peeped through the brown mould Of the
garden, and between window and door
the wall glowed with scarlet berries.
Mrs. Jakes had been an humble
friend of Mrs. Somery's, and Lucy
often went to see her and listen 10 her
stories.
To-day the patlent,faced old woman
felt that her visitor was absorbed by
some thoughts of her own, and she was
too sympathetic to go on with her talk.
She peered into the girls face.
Are you well, dear, or is there
something troubling youp'
Lucy smiled.
NC, OIL no; I'm afraid have been
dull. Well, I'll make up for it next
| time. 1t is getting dark, and you know
father can't bear me to be out late, he's
so careful of me-
She kissed the old woman, and, then
n0dding back at her, she walked quickly
along the fas%t-darkening road.
She's q real beauty. she rs.' Mrs.
Jakes stood looking after the tall,
straight girl as long as she could see
her. How she do love her father;
more's the pity he is what he is; l wish
he was careful of her, and then he
would send that loatlng lad about his
business. Somebody will have a sad
heart out of that business
She went back to the chair by the
llre-side.
'Eh!' she thought, IF her mother had
lived that lad would have been kept
outside, and Lucy would have taken up
with Mr.. Rogers, and had a good home
of her own. Phoebe Somery would
have thought Of her child before she
succored a stranger.
Mr.. Somery had once said to his
daughter:
you may be mistress of Thordale, if
you please
This evening, as she went towards
home, Lucy asked herself why this
could not be, and she could not answer
| herself.
Miss Somery-Lucy-thank God,
I've found you.'
Lucy looked up and saw Mr.. Rogers.
'C,me back he said, hurriedly.
Your father is i'll. I've sent for DR..
Welch.'
ILL., She put lar hand to her
forehead. He was quite well when /
left him.
| She went on so fast that Rogers had to
hurry to overtake her.
He seemed well when l started to go
home, and then | heard young Player
shout. l put the lad on my horse, and
| came away to find you.'