The Saint Paul globe., 1899-03-19

Srlly. mo doubt he's seen lots Of fine ladies
in the Old Country prettier nor me. They
call me beauty hereabouts, but, of course
L m not the sort he's accustomed to. Yet
neil never find one who'll love him better
than l do--never. Oh, if I could make him
understand how love him, I think then he
would love me just little bit in return!
And then she thought Of Guarda-Devos
IuaTua, Wnom, not so very reluctantly, yet
yielding more to the persuasion of her uncle
tnan TO her own wishes, she had promised to
marry as soon as the fine new house he was
building on the edge of the lake ten miles
away should be finished, and the land around
brought under cultivation-and she shud-
dered.
Life with Devos had not seemed at all I'M
possible to her when she had given him her
vow. She had thought it would be pleasant
to have brand new house of her own, only
a mile or two from Cliffville, the nearest
town; and, on the whole, Devos not
bad fellow, though his temper was sullen
and suspicious. She tired of the farm,
and of Granny Beamish's scolding, and do
ing the work, looking after the poultry yard.
helping to wash (gran would never employ
a hired girl if she could help it), and such
like. When she was Guarda's wife she would
keep couple of hired girls herself, and be
no more troubled with household cares-or
so she fattered herself; and visions of Cliff
vile, of races, balls, parties, the fine dresses
she would wear, and the various luxuries
Guarda was rich), had f1oated before her
eyes very seductively. Well, If Devos wish
ed it she would marry him, she had said, and
until Brian Beresford came to the farm she
had never regretted having made the prom
iSe.
No one guessed how greatly her feelings
had altered since that day. Uncle Abe was
absorbed in his farm work, Granny Beamish
in her household affairs and neither noticed
the change in the girl She hid her secret we'll
and carefully, deep down in the innermost
recesses of her heart and not even Guarda,
though his jealous suspicious were sometimes
orr ir,,oc 1l,a 1l,1
was
No one ever should know, of that she was
determined, unless indeed Brian Beresford
should one day learn the secret and return
her love; then all the world might know and
welcome. She would be proud to proclaim it
abroad; but if not, the secret should remain
hers, and hers alone.
And so time went on, and the gulf be-
tween the lovers daily widened, yet none
suspected noticed it, and though Abe
Beamish grinned with contemptuous amuse-
ment when he perceived Guardas jealous
dislike to his hired man, Brian perceived it,
too, and treated the American with scornful
Indifference. Gull, ill-conditioned ILL
hammered lout, he termed him in his
thoughts not worth consdering-a fellow for
whom poor Huldah Beamish, Wild rough, and
uneducated as she was, was far too good.
How the girl, with SO many fellows of her
own Sort who were her humble slaves could
have fixed on Guarda for her future hus-
band, was amazing, but there was no ac-
her. She had so many good points, and de-
served better fate.
And somehow the pity he felt for her made
him very kind and pleasant in his manner
to her. What wonder that after while HUI
dah began almost to believe that Brian Ber-
esford was beginning to for her just a
little? And sort of wild hope sprung up
in her heart, that at last she might win his
love if she were but patient.
CHAPTER III.
You'll try my patience too far one day.
Huldah I give you fair warning said De-
vos in voice trembling with anger as he
and Huldah were returning to the farm from
the fields one afternoon. THAT darned
Britisher, 1 won't stand his cheek anv
longer"
''Cheek-what cheek?" returned Huldah.
coolly. He put up Bess for me last night,
and you've been in the black sulks ever.
since I was tired-you saw it, and didn't
Bess for right away. If"
Well he's Abes hired man. It's part of
his work." Interrupted Devos.
If it's part of his work, then, why do you
call it cheek?' retorted Huldah scornfully
mot that it is. 1 always stable Bess my
self; but Mr. Beresford is a gentleman,
and"
Gentleman! fine gentleman-a hired
mani" sneered Devos. We'll, he'd better
leave you alone, I warn you, or worse will
come OF it,"
,.What!-do you dare threaten me?'' cried
Huldah, with flashing eyes and contempt in
every feature of her dark passionate face.
And, pray, what will you do to me, Mr.
Devos Guarda? /"
You! Who spoke OF you? Let the Britisher
look to himself. that's all. I'll be even with
him, else l.
"Shucks. He can take care of himself, no
fear" laughed Huldah. why, he's so strong
he could take you by the scruff of your neck
Devos, and shake you into the middle of next
week-he could, if he were so minded