The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-09-14

fain to stretch himself on the turf and rest
his bent old back against the low stone
wall which inclosed John Tregon's field.
"No use going up TO the house. Johns
az market, and the missis'll be turning the
place topsy turvy," he reflected. "What
with spring clennin's all the year round
and the driyin, Bertha has had terrible
hard time. And they do say In the village
we'll, WELL" he muttered, checking him
self, lit wasn't to be expected with her
pretty face that Jim's her first sweetheart. "
/ Not u breeze stirred the liteless calm,
and the midday sun poured 15fcely down.
Presently he sought the shade of spread
ing tree which oyerhung the wall few
PAGES from him. But he was no longer
solitary. Voices fell on his ear--Bertha
Tregon's and that Of the man who report
said had Tilted her. ..
3 my poor Berthal You've no cause to
fear me. know exactly how 1t was you
forsook me for James Hocken. But I
wrote wheniver had the chance I"
mot single letter reached me-"
! because your mother waylaid the post
man"
Despite the heat, Isaac shivered Wills
insight was making clear much that had
puzzled him.
Perhaps. What matters nowY" asked
Bertha in forlorn tones. You should
have kept away 1t would have been
kinder
"And let you continue to think that
was falsef Lookee here, Bertha. you
promised to be my wife before ever Hocken
courted you And now you knaw I've
been faithful to you'--
II durstn't break with Jim. Mother Is
set on him. Oh, why did you comei
You'll get fresh sweetheart but Jim
won't feel he won't And shall keep
my promise to him.
But Bertha's love was unchanged, and
to the breathless listener on the thither
side Of the wall Wills tender pleadings
were the knell OF his sons hopes.
What girl who loved him could resist
handsome Will Carterf
Gaunt and grizzled, with weather beaten,
strongly marked features, he had always
known that Jim wasn't one that a girl
would fancy. And Bertha had only ac-
cepted him at her mothers bidding be-
lieving that Will was untrue 10 her. 1t
was all so plain to him now. Poor Jim,
even a flower that Bertha had plucked was
precious TO him. Hadn't he found a rose
withered and dead in his pocket And all
his love in vainl Isaac whipped out his
handkerchief and mopped his face. Yet, II
Will hadn't returned
But, contrary 20 his expectations, the
girl was firm in her resolve.
~ won't listen to you, she said at last,
reused by Wills upbraidings. Jim isn't
TO blanche knew nothing of our sweet
hearting; nor am l. 1t didn't enter my
mind that mother mightve got your let
ters How should II? As II you alone suf-
lfered," she faltered. Let us part
friends"
Sweethearts or nothing" said Win
grufliy.
/ With the ewish, swish Of feet through
tho long grass crawling on his knees, old
Isaac peered cautiously over the wall.
Bertha was running toward the house,
and Will Carter, with his head thrown
back, striding in an opposite direction.
Bless the little maidP' he CALCULATED.
zone time was afeare6 for Jim. But
she's got good grip o. things. Yes,
plenty. more sweethearts for WILL" he
,chuckled observant Of the pose Of his head.
"And there's but one In the world for my
lad-Dertha Tregon. May my tongue be
slit If 1 let out TO him."
( Rising, Isaac shouldered his basket and
proceeded on his round.
The old fisherman had been somewhat
rash, however, In his conclusions.
BY her own admissions Bertha decision
had been prompted solely by fear Of her
mother. But II on reflection she were still
willing 70 sacrifice her happiness, Will
Carter certainly had no intention of yield
ing to her weakness
A fine seaman, Of whom Pengelly was
proud, for the past year Will had been on
board yacht cruising In the Mediterra-
mean. But for reasons best known to her
self, Mrs. Tregon had discountenanced his
suit, and although he had every confidence
in her Bertha's silence had inspired mis-
givings not easy TO allay. Once more free,
he had returned at the earliest date TO
England, aud at Plymouth, where he land
ed, had met friend, who, among other
items Of Pengelly news, informed him of
her desertion adding:
"And she'll be Mrs. Hockcn In q fort
might.
Determined to demand full explana-
'tion from Bertha herself, Will made no
comment, but his laugh was unmirthful
And with rage in his heart he hailed n
passing cab was driven 10 the railway
station and taken by the train TO Wade
bridge. Thence he could walk 10 the Tre-
igons'.
But, the house In view, In crossing the
field Will had espicd Bertha In the gar
den, and, with muffled "Ahoyr' sped to the
tree that sheltered old Isanc. She had
swiftly Joined him. Nevertheless the shock
of his return was visible in her white face,
and her trembling lips would frame no
WELCOME. Looking at him imploringly,
her blue eyes filed And longing to clasp
lhcr in his arms tho reassuring words
which, while Tightening him, had chilled
IJiIn's father did duty for the reproachos
he had come primed with.
But Will had taken Bertha by surprise,
and between her dream Of him and terror
lof her mother, who ruled the Trogon house
hold with rod OF iron he rightly diyined
THAT she had caught at the rcadiest means
bf escape which In her distraction had
presented itself 90 her. Yet his faith In
her frmness was limited; the revival Of
fond memories would tend TO lessen her
mothers influence And cunninRly calcu-
,lating that apparent Indifference would