Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1889-02-22
Graham gems, a very little butter. the

since JOnll JtIlcS' uleu. i am dirtlu
it will end in the farm being sold to
clear off the mortgage"
Fanny opened her big. black eyes.
But we must live somewhere, Par
DON" she said.
you and | can go out to service"
said Pardon. ''As for father, there is the
poor-house."
Fanny uttered wall of despair.
mo, no, dear: don't look SO dis
tressed, said the elder sister, repeating
the rashness of her speech. Il don't re-
ally mean il. I'm cross, that is all. It's
hard doing the work of hired man,
servant girl and housekeeper all in one.
1 shall feel better tomorrow after I've
had IA nights sleep. i haven't got To
get up early and milk poor old Pink
any more"
And once again the sisters mingled
their tears
IF father had only mended
those bars" said Fanny. ut was 80 un-
lucky"
But Pardon put her hand over her
81 ster's lips.
mot that word Fanny" said she. IRE
member it's forbidden"
The two girls were washing up the
breakfast dishes the next day in the
temporary absence of Mr.. Darwin, who
had strolled off toward the postoffice
to see if the mail was in, VIII en-
Squire Etting crossed the threshold.
Father amt to hum, ehP" said he.
"Well, reckon | can talk things over
just as well with you, Pardon:'
What things?" said Pardon, dis
tIristfully.
That there skatin' rink. down by
the lake." said Mr.. Etting. "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-
Germ, just as it stands. and run the rink
myself. The land belonged to your
mothers estate, and | s'pose you and
the gal here have the right to sell it,"
Yes" said Pardon, her eyes fixed
quietly on the squire's wooden visage.
What will you give for it?n
wal. il amt with so dreadful
much. said the squire, evasively. "Say
a hundred dollars for the building and
two acres o land"
Pardon shook her head.
Il won't sell it for that" said she,
decidedly.
II dunno what you want TO keep it
for, )" said the squire irritably. Your
father he amt got the go TO run IA
skating rink
Il know that, said Pardon, firmly.
"but don't intend to be swindled, all
the same.r
The squire stamped out of the room
in a rage.
Then drive a better bargain with
somebody else, if you can" said he,
viciously.
Pardon, Pardon" whispered Fan
ny, close to her elbow, .'call him back.
hundred dollars is a great great sum
of money!
No" said Pardon. II will not call
him back. Let me Think"
But what will father say?"
Father need never know. Fanny.
1t is rs Squire Fitting 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 poor building cost John James
nearly one hundred dollars. The squire
thinks he can safely cheat us, because
we are only women. But he will find
himself mistaken.
She put on her green gingham sun
bonnet that afternoon and went over to
the Merritt farm. Joel Merritt was
just driving through the big gates with
"A load of wood
I'm so sorry said Joel, courteous
~ lifting his cap. Mother has gone
over to "a quilting-bee at Mrs bikes.
Won't Won stem i'm and rast o.
Pardon took off her green sun-bon-
net and famed herself with it. Her
cheeks were pink; her lovely hazel eyes
sparkled.
But it isn't your mother ] came to
see, JOEL said she. II wanted to
speak TO you?"
Joel jumped off the load. threw the
reins on old Sorrel's back. and came up
TO her, with "a countenance of some sur
prise.
"Me?" he repeated. reddening lit
tie.
For OF all created beings he thought
Pardon Darwin the most beautiful and
winning.
Yes" said Pardon. still deeply alb
sorbed in her own plans and ideas
How would you like, JOEL to 90 into
partnership with me?r
with you, Pardono"
He caught his breath
Yes" frankly spoke the girl. ''Of
all our neighbors ] think you are the
most honest and reliable. I've known
you ever since we were children togeth-
err and"
''Say not another word, Pardon"
joyously cried the young man, taking
both her hands in his, while his whole
face grew radiant "Oh, you don't
know how proud, how happy you make
me. For I've loved you this long time,
Pardon. only | never dared to tell you
SO; and mother will be so glad TO call
you daughter. Give me "a kiss. Pardon
my little shrinking love-just one
kiss, so that ] may be sure I'm not
dreaming!'
But to his dismay Pardon struggled TO
free herself and began TO cry impetu-
ously.
IL don't know what you meanw
said she. "Let me GO. Joel Merritt"
but, Pardon. you said yourself"
1T was the skating-rink TN Il poor
John James built on Deer lake." falter-
cred Pardon. on the verge Of new tears
II n IL a.. 4