Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1892-08-12

cart-the cart and his well-groomed
horse and his own good looking face
all shining in the rays of the morning
sun.
George met him at the door before the
maid could answer the bell.
'Is Miss Bergen the caller began,
with q questioning smile, offering to
shake hands.
Mr. Paritt ignor ed his hand.
"She is not at home" he said, de-
lberately, with no trace of his accusing
conscience in his displeased face.
To admit Hugh Dudley and hear him
and Constance chattering and giggling
for two hours in the parlor was too
much. He wouldn't have it.
The young mans face fell perceptibly.
"When will she be at home?" he
faltered, embarrassed between his dis
appointment aud his awe of Mr.. Parftts
stern looks.
81 have not the rcmotest idea,"
George responded.
Would the fellow keep him there
uttering mendacities all day! Not but
that the cause was good and sufficient,
but he was not accustomed to lying.
"rm sorry, Hugh Dudley declared"
He fingered, looking touchingly un-
happy, only Mr.. Paritt was not touched.
He looked as though he was waiting to
shut the door, and the visitor retreated
down the steps and into his cart.
Ellen had the ginger tea ready. It
was not strong enough, and too sweet.
And when Ellen, having been some
what gruffiy informed of it, had made
some afresh, Mr.. Parftt drank it, and
resumed his shawl and his chair and his
uncomfortable reflections.
The door-bell rang again. George
thought he knew the ring. Sure
enough, it was Tom Danforth!
"Laid up?" that young man demand
ed, coming in breezily, big and broad
shouldered and bright-eyed and cheerful.
"Too bad On your lungs2 Have you
tried capsicum plaster2 1 can get you
one in five minutes if you want me to. +"
ats in my head, said George dis
mally. But he smiled his pleasure at
Tom Danforth's appearance, and wrung
the young mans hand and took his coat
and hat. "pm glad you came glad to
see you! Stay to lunch, won't you?
Have this foot-rest, Constance is home
up stairs" he said, in breath. "Just
watt" he ended, eagerly. I'll go
get her."
But he came back sulkily.
''She went out with Kate, it seems"
he explained in an injured manner. "I
didn't know it. They're always gadding
about. Have some maraschino or some
thing?"
"Cordial at this hour of the day2"
Tom protested, looking the soul of reas-
surfing good nature and betraying no ex-
citement at the fact of Constance's
absence.
He even took up a newspaper.
'.He doesn't care,' George unused,
gloomily. May he isn't in love with
her after ALL"
And he sat and eyed his stalwart
friend, and thought what husband he
would have made for Constance, and
how blind and contrary and exasperating
they all were and how helpless he him
self was to arrange matters as they ought
to be arranged.
He fell into unhappy silence.
"Has the cashier of the Freeseborough
Bank really gone off with the funds2"
said Tom, with his handsome nose in the
paper. "There's a rumor to that effect.
Stewards his name. He's rich enough
anyhow He ought to be-"
The bell again!
1t was Mrs. Par6tt, looking pretty and
pink checked after the fresh air, and as
blithe as though gong to the Carpen-
ters' reception in her old beaded wrap
were not going to be a horrid necessity.
ooh, you, Tom?" she cried, cordially.
''I am so gladI Poor George is so
wretched with that cold, and you can
cheer him up!"
81 don't need cheering up" said
George, budding his shawl closer.
"Where is Constance2"
"Conny?" said Mrs. Parftt, brightly.
''Oh, we met Hugh Dudley in his cart,
and he took COMFY along with him.
What stylish turnout he has,"
Mrs. Paraftt unpinned her bonnet.
"He did, did he?'
Her husband twitched in his chair so
violently that his elbow knocked the
ginger-tea cup to the floor.
Tom picked it up.
~ wonder if that scamp has taken
the money, if it will burst the bank?" he
said. "It's shame!"
"What bank?" Mrs. Par6tt ques-
toned.
And an animated discussion ensued.
Mrs. Parftt knew the defaulting cash
ier's daughter; Tom Danforth had known
his brother. GEORGE who knew more