The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1893-11-30


had very good prospect of success, for,
although the prizes were open to all
corners, the majority of competitors
usually belonged to the neighborhood,
where Nesbit was well aware that
'-Chance" could not be surpassed.
His hopes fell little, however, when
he heard that the Dismouth dogs were
coming Mr.. Sydney, their owner, was
a wealthy colonist who had within re-
cent years returned from the antipodes
and settled in Devonshire, and whose
pet hobby was breeding and exhibiting
dogs Of various kinds, especially New
foundlands, of which he possessed some
remarkably fine specimens
In the result, Although one of Mr..
Sydney's dogs gained the first prize,
Chance, to the great pride of his mas
ter, carried off the second, beating two
or three others of the Dismouth kennel.
Their owner was not present at the
show, but his manager. man named
Scott, whose speech bespoke north
country origin, at once offered NesDit a
handsome price for the dog Although
the money would have been particular
ly acceptable, however, he hesitated to
part with Chance, who was the chief
pleasure and solace of somewhat
dreary life.
When, two years before, he had been
appointed stationmaster at the little
village of Wheathope, everyone tho ught
that the company had dealt very con-
siderately by their disabled servant. 1t
%r,1a ha q,
stagnant for a young fellow who had
been one of the most promising drivers
ON the line and might have aspired to
the ''Scotchman" in time, but one arm
having been rendered permanently
helpless in saving railway horse from
being crushed to death more active
work was impossible.
His mates laughingly told him that
a station mistress would be required,
and his sweetheart Cts made no doubt
that he would at once ask her to fill
the post
But Nesbit was a prudent man. He
knew that some savings ought first tc
be laid by, and to make the house habit
able for wife would completely ex.
haust his little store, already heavily
drawn upon by expenses connected
with his illness. He felt, moreover
that his health had been more seriously
shattered by the accident than anyone
knew, and that his appointment there
fore might at any moment have to be
resigned.
1t was not very easy to make the
necessity for waiting clear to Cicely
who, though sweet and true and Iowa
BILE, had no great turn for economy anC
forethought
Marks anxiety for the future and
fear of dragging her down to poverty
seemed in her hasty, lmpetuous
thoughts to be. signs of cold indiffer
ence rather than of the deep unselfist
love which really prompted him, and
the uncertainty about his health which
would have thrown light on his mean.
ing, was carefully hidden lest he should
alarm or sadden her.
In the first NOR bid depression conse.
quent on his misfortune. too, he
doubted II he was justified in holding
her to the engagement, and this feel
ing gave constraint To his manner
NsN'SA' ''AN WIS HANSN w piCI
and resent
For his part he attributed her i'm
patient asperity to want of love and q
desire to be free; thus the misunder-
standing led up to serious quarrel and
parting by mutual consent
Nesbit's new work, therefore, began
under depressing circumstances and
there was little in the way of friendly
companionship to brighten it. Since
their parting he had seen no more OF
his sweetheart who had taken maid
place in the south. Recently, however,
tidings of her had come through one OF
his old friends, Raine Shafto, whose
wife was intimate with Cicely.
Her new employers, military people,
had offered to take her to India in DC
tOber. and Shafto urged his friend to
seek a reconciliation before it was toe
late.
He believed that the girl was secret
iy grieving, aud that only pride pre-
vented her sending some token of re-
pentance.