The Coconino sun., 1891-05-23
A LOVE STORY.

when l heard some one whistling, and on looking up, there was young Squire Turner with his arms folded on thu gate looking over. When he caught my eye he laughed, blushed, and arose and made him a courtesy.
 When courtesied he bowed, mak. ing his curls dance over his shoulders, asd said he: May come inP"
 And welcome, sir" said I, and set chair, for he was grandfather landlord; but for all that felt uncom- fortable, for l was not used to fine com pany. .
 He talked away, paying me more compliments than was used to- . Since I'm telling the story I'll tell the truth. l had done wrong about one thing. Neither of the old folks knew that wore Evan Locke's ring in my bosom, or that we'd taken VOW to each other. Evan was poor strug- gling young surgeon. l thought I would wait awhile until I could sweeten the news with the fact that ned begun to make his fortune.
 That night we had something else to think of. Misfortunes had come upon grandfather; but didn't foresee that when the half-year's rent should come due not penny to pay it with could be found.
 z At this time Evan Locke and had been as fond as ever of each other, and he came as often as before to talk with grandpa on the wintry nights; and still every little while our young landlord Squire Turner, would drop in and sit in his lazy way and watch me knit or spin.
 could not. help his coming, nor help seeing him when he came, and I did not deserve that Evan should be angry with me. But he was. Eh, so high and mighty, and spoke as though one like the squire could mean no good by coming to so poor place as the school masters, He made me angry and l spoke up. IT,.
 We'll, Evan was wroth with me and with him-not heart deep, though, l thought--and l did not see him for more than a week. I was troubled much, though. But one night grand father came in, and shutting the door stood between grandmamma and me, looking at me, and so strangely that we both grew frightened. At last he spoke:
 live been to the squire's,n said he. ''For the first time l had to tell him that could not pay the rent when due, ?
 l opened my lips. Grandmamma's hand covered them. Grandpa drew me to him. "Thou'rt young, lass, :" said he, ''and they are right who call thee pretty.s Child-could'st like the squire well enough to wed himP" "Ehp" cried grandma, Sure, you're not wanderingP"
 - Squire Turner asked me for this lass of ours tonight Of all women in the world there Is but one he loves as ho should his wife, and that is our Agatha"
 And when he had waited for an answer l burst out with No and a sob, together Then grandpa talked to me. He told me how poor they had grown and how kind the squire was, and had but to marry him to make my grandparents, free from debt and poverty their lives through. If refused and vexed the squire heaven only knew what might happen.
 An! 1t was hard to bear--bitter hard; but now there was no help for it. I took the ring from my bosom and laid it on my palm, aud told them it was Evan Lockes'and that had plighted my troth to him. And grandmamma called me deceitful wench, and grand father looked as though his heart would break. Oh, would have done anything for theu.anything but give up my true love.
 That night I kissed his ring and prayed heaven that he might love mo always. In the morning it was gone. ribbon and all, from my neck. looked for it high and low, but found no sign of it. And I began to fear the loss of that dear ring was sign that would never marry Evan Locke.
 The days passed oD, and he never came near me. And grandma would scarcely look at me q know why now), and grandpa sighed and moaned and talked of the workhouse. And thought l should die of grief among them.
 One day grandma said to mes. at seems that your sweetheart is not over- fond of you nor oyer-anxious to see you.n @
 "Why not?" said I.
 Where has he been this month backpn asked grandma.
 Busy doubtless, said I with a smile, though thought my heart would burst
 You're going with him, mayben { ''WhereP" said l.
 She went to the kitchen door and beckoned in woman who sat there - Dame Coombs who had come over with eggs.
 'I heard you rightly she said. ''You told me Evan Locke and his mother were making ready for a voy- age"
 They're going to Canada. My son, carpenter--and good ono, though 1 say it-made the doctor box for his things.
 And for the sake of so false 9 lad you'll see your grandfather ruined and break his heart and leave mo that have nursed you from a babe wid- ow."
 looked at her as she sobbed, and found strength to say:
 ''Give me to whom you will then,