The Saint Paul globe., 1899-03-19

Gone over to stay with her aunt, Mrs.
Prout for day or two' answered Abe
"Oh, that's all right-nothing wrong be-
tween them"
NO? L thought there might be-" replied
alp Inc man: Wen, L must ride on to Green's
place and ask if they've seen hin,-or do you
thlpk Miss Huldah may know"
she knew nothing today, but I'll write
her a line tomorrow and ask, if you don't
near before, or if the boss don't up.
He's right enough, you bet. Guarda knows
now to take care of himself" said Uncle
Abe
Maybe, but 1 wish he'd take care of his
farm and the crops too'' grumbled the man.
1T isn't like the boss to neglect either. Well,
good night Mr. Beamish, and he rode off
queer of Devos-cant make it out,
thought Abe. Il wonder whether he and
Huldah have been quarreling? Devos isn't
the man to bite off his nose to spite his
face, though, and even had he and Huldah
fallen out, he'd think twice before letting his
crops suffer. Why, that wheat should have
been in Saturday! Well, daresay Chris will
call IN on his way home, and if Devos isn't
at Green's, I'll write to Hudah tomorrow
Chris Saunders did turn up several hours
later but with no news of his master.
Neither on the following day, when Abe
hlmsef made his appearance at Guarda's
farm, had anything been heard of him, and
then Abe wrote a letter to Huldah, telling her
of his absence from Esmeralda, as his place
was called, and asking if she could throw
any light on it.
y.
turned ghastly pale she read it, and rose
at once from the breakfast table.
What ails you-anything wrong at home,
honey?" said Aunt Caltry, regarding her
anxicusly.
Il must go-I must go at once, Aunt Cal
try, she replied, in a hoarse voice.
Go home! Why? Is Abe bad, or granny?'
asked Mrs. Prout
NO no-not Uncle Abe nor yet granny,
but I'm wanted. 1 must go-I must start
now''
Nov! You must wait till we can get
trap. Why, child. you're never thinking of
tramping 20 miles, are you?" she answered,
with laugh, as Huldah seized her hat and
jacket in feverish haste.
TIL walk if there's no trap to be had,' she
answered, hoarsely. Il can't stay-I must
be gone, Aunt Caltry."
But who-what-is it Mr.. Guarda, then?"
asked Mrs. Prout, mentioning Guarda's name
rather unwillingly, for when she had spoken
OF him to Huldah a day or two previously,
the girl had shown very marked disinclin-
alton to discuss him, and had changed the
subject of conversation at once
Yes she replied, In low voice.
Dear, dear! is he very i'll? Poor child.
poor lamb! I understand now. Why didn't
you say so at once?" cried Aunt Caltry 81
believe John Brent will be driving to Nor
manton this morning, and he could set you
down a. mile or SO from Abe's place. That
would do, wouldn't it, Huldah? Don't look
SO frightened and white my dearie; he'll
get-better, you bet. He's young and strong,
and will see lot of us in our graves yet
Huldah shuddered as her aunt spoke and
turned away, beginning in an aimless sort OF
way to collect various articles belonging to
her.
Gust take what you most want in a bun
die that you can carry, honey" said Aunt
Caltry, she jostled round, "and I'll go and
tell John to call for you. Well send the rest
of your things in a day or two, my dear.
Meantime finish your breakfast whilst I'm
out"
But Huldah could not eat. She put on her
hat and jacket, tied up few things in
bundle and sat mCtionless by the window,
till Aunt Caltry drove UP in John Brent's
buggy, then she started up and went to the
door,"
''I was just in time" painted Mrs. Prout.
Get in, honey; I'm real sorry to lose you
50 soon. You must come back again and
pay me a visit when he's better. Goodbye,
my DEAR.
And she stood on the steps waving her
hand to Huldah, who never even looked back
at her, till the buggy was out of sight.
"He must be very bad, I reckon, judging
by Huldah's face thought kind Mrs. Prout.
Il wish could have got nearer to the girl.
She amt happy, that's certain, but she kind
er kept me out of her heart. Well I hope
she'll find him better when she gets back
home, poor deari'
CHAPTER VII.
What, Huldah! Lords sakes! What
have you come back so sudden for?P cried
Abe, as Huldah entered the kitchen at the
farm, where he and granny We're seated,
looking pale and tired.
Your letter, uncle,'' she answered. in an
odd voice. What is the news? Is-have you
heard anything?"
Anything Of Devos, you mean?" asked
Abe. Don't look so scared, child; he's all
right no doubt. There, sit ye down. Don't
fret yourself; he'll turn up, never fear"
did you walk far Huldah?' asked
granny. What, all the way from Brom's
Creek? You must be tiredi"