The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1890-09-04

had saved him, but there the matte
seemed to end. He showed no othe
/ thought or purpose than to keep hi
/ place-go on and on, the trained AM
| trusted hireling, who never dreams o
! looking beyond his present sphere. II
fact, so acauiescent was he in Fate
harsh dealings, Grace grew fairly angry
with him, and vowed inwardly to vast
no more thought or care upon his future
which she was sure might be notable
one. if he only had the energy and ambi
ton so to will it.
And this laudable resolve she might
and doubtless would, have kept, but fol
the marplot brother-in-law, Highland, t.
whom went Mr.. Bell in high dudgeOI
over curt dismissal, and who straight
way rode over and demanded of Squire
Minton that he bring his daughter tc
hear reason, that is, accept Mr. Bell.
"a man of substance, the best chance
in the country, and the master she has
always needed"
Squire Minton heard him through
nervously rubbing his helpless hands
himself strongly inclined to Bells suit:
but his nerves were not strong now, and
he could not bear to cross Grace, who
had been for so long his stay and com
panien, as well as daughter; so he tenn
porized and counselled patience, init
mating that one mo- was not final-in
fact, that often on such a negative was
more than half equivalent to an affirma-
tive. But on this Mr.. Highland burst
in hotly:
"Wait! Oh, yes, wait-wait until she
disgraces herself with that tramp stable
boy, who ought, I've no doubt, to be
hung. saw her watching him at the
training track, and would have brought
her away only wanted to see you alone,
and try and open your eyes. They have
been philandering and lOve-making ever
since he came. I'll bet my head"
"And lose it'll but that will not matter
in fact, will be an improvement" Miss
Minton said, stepping through the
French window and facing her assailant
with flushed cheeks and fearless flash
ing eyes. Just behind her walkee the
cause of the war, cool and impassive as
ever, yet with fingers clutched about the
stock of the hunting whip he carried.
Miss Minton walked straight up to her
father and asked:
"Father, do you believe that man?"
mo, daughter" was the tremulous re-
sponse, while hand was laid fondly on
her shoulder. She raised it to her lips,
and still holding it, asked:
''Did ever lie to or deceive you in any
way?"
"Never, my good child"
''Thank you. And you believe it is
too late for me to begin?"
"Quite too late"
"Then hear what have to stay. Up
to this hour Kenneth Westmoreland has
been to me only the most humble and
faithful of servants, full of simple, loyal
gratitude for the kindness we have been
able to show him; and though in blood
and birth and training more than our
equal, he has never once forgotten his
confess he often might
have done it without the slightest pre-
sumpti0n-and henceforth-"
Her voice somewhat choked, and the
red got hotter in her cheeks. Like
lightning Kenneth was beside her, and
his arms about her he said. with
eyes bravely uplifted to the stupified
faces before him:
"HencefOrth he means to be, not as in
the past her hopeless worshipper, but
her lover, her defender"
"And her master, see," said the
father, with an indulgent smile that well
nigh sent Mr., Highland into apoplexy.
"And Gracie," pattlng the head buried
in Westmoreland's breast, ''it seems
your prince, too, has the motto, 1 serve,
and l hardly believe any other could
have won you"
Grace Westmoreland is the model and
pattern of obedient wives, and a very
happy woman-maugre the sneer of the
brother-in-law in conclave-'She broke
him to stand henpecking as hireling
before she dared to marry him; and
what allied Bell was, she knew he would
be master. .n-Frank Leslie.