The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1899-01-19

| We'll, l can't say, I'm sure. 1t isn't
for the likes of me TO say. You know
best"-and, picking up her jug, Jane
went morosely off, feeling in her soul
that she might after all have said
something more civil in answer to tho
poor things pathetic appeal.
The light died out of the younly
woman's face as she watched Jane 81.
She left her work, and sat quite still for
a time; then she went to the window
and looked out. and she sighed.
Opinions pursue me everywhere.
Who could have imagined that Jane and
Mrs. Norton held any? If l had not
been so densely ignorant should have
known they had some, l suppose. We
don't know half enough of useful
things; we should be taught the opin-
ions of other classes; they vary, of
course, but a rough idea should De
given. How was l to know the word
was so bad; that the people l wanted
most to help would rob me, and then
turn me from their doors; and that the
people l wished to ell Jate would
would ruthlessly insult me. If it had
not been for Joseph! Dear, kind Jo-
seph! Have l made, in marrying him,
the worst of my mistakes, wonder?
Does his fine, true nature measure me
by what his friends think of me2",
At this moment young fellow en-
tered the door, sucking a cane. He
leaned against a bench, and sniggered,
and seemed quite at his case-and sure
of his welcome,
He scrutinized the girl from head to
foot, and amiably commenced TO
soliloquize in a loudish whisper. He
did not seem to desire conversation
He went over her points admirably
in forid, blatant, offensive terms. II
was his killing method, and was in
tended to allure and attract. At length
he mentiOned-'My names Norton.
You don't seem to know who l am"
This is surely a lunatic asylum, "
the young woman said, softly, and
pinched herself to see if she were
awake. Then she looked across at him;
she saw his clumsiness, his attempts
at smartness, mis- general imbecility;
but she didn't speak to him-she went
on cleaning up.
Unable to differentiate. he thought
the look meant admiration; and he
went up to her, and said you may
kiss me, missus-twice, if you like"
She came and stood right in front of
him.
My good boy, go home. Do you
hear?-fnd your mother, and go
home"
His little eyes blazed.
"Ah! l see the sort you are. You're
on the lookout for the swells. You're
used to 'em. I've heard all about you.
Poor old Heslop! All the villages talk
ing of his madness"
Jane came bustling in.
"Ah, Mr. Norton, it's you'll"
The girl looked dangerous, and she
said, haughtily: Take your friend
away, please, and find the key of the
dairy door. l want no more visitors"
''Hoity-toity. Let me tell you, this
door was always kept unlocked in my
mothers time"
Bah! Don't you see, Janey Heslop,
the wench wants to lock her visitors in
with HERO
Heslop and Mrs. Norton passed the
dairy door just then. The girl called
them in. She was so erect and scornful
Joe scarcely knew her. Mrs. Norton
she said, coldly, you will take your
son away, and you, Joseph, will forbid
his ever coming here again"
"My-my-son turned off this farm
by YOU, madam, a woman such as you;
a creature no one knows anything
about"
Mrs. Norton, stop before you go TOO
far. There is some Misrepresentation
here. l should much like to know who
put those rumors afoat about this lady
my wife, and he looked at Jane,
and he got affectionately close to the
young girl and put his hand on her
shoulder. But, in spite of it, she's a
good woman-and your superior, and
you can see it-and that's why you all
dislike her-and | have every conf
dence in her-and if she says young
Norton's to go, he goes"
There had been a rush of dogs, horses
and pink coats past the farm, but it
had not been noticed in the storm. And
now an elderly man stood in the door
way. He was also in pink"
"Heslop, something's happened to
my saddle-by Joye-a stage picture!
What's up? l beg your pardon-Lady
Selina-is it really you?"
! The girl went forward; she was a
little sulky, but she decided that, after
all, it was just as well.
Yes; Sir Archibald. Cest MOL"
God bless my soul, child! To think
that l should have discovered you!
How did you get here? How's your
plan for the 'Sublimation of the Lower
Working Class" Ali ah! They've
bowled you over, l expect There, you
needn't explain. Never mind. What
are you doing here?'
I'm living here, and I'm going to
stay-because-"
well; l know Heslop. l knew his
father Good people. Very solid peo-
l.! ple-but l say. What about your peo-
pie"
please say nothing to them vet.