The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1905-05-31

hNi husbdnu tiupty -hdiuNu
either. i calc'late to give Helen Forest
Farm If she marries TO suit me; and
Forest Farm, Ezra Fairfax, is the pret
test property in Middlesex County
The farmer and his hired man were
driving along the road to the station
Tor Mr.. Burchard was going Off on q
weeks trip to buy some cattle.
Ezra made no reply to this boast, He
had heard it number of times, and
as he loved Helen with his whole heart
1t was not pleasure to listen to, es-
pecialiy as he understood at this time
it was warning note intended to pre-.
vent any philandering in his employers
absence.
II shall never have Forest Farm il
that is the price l have to pay" de-
clared Helen herself few hours later,
looking into her lovers honest eyes.
The two had grown up together, the
children of neighbors. Il shall marry
you or nobody, Ezra. love father,
but his ambitions can't make wrong
, right. Had he been the one to die in
stead Of your father when we were
children l might have been your
mothers help to-day" The girl
smiled in way that warmed Ezra's
despairing heart.
IF there were only something could
do 10 change mattersw he exclaimed.
] hate the name of Forest Farm!
wish Hosea Hinkley had never sold
it."
"He wouldn't If he could possibly
have done without the money, that is
certain" remarked the girl. What a
triumph father felt it to be when he
secured it before good Mr.. Hosea diedw
Eyes, if that scamp Of brother of
his had got hold of it, guess Mr..
Burthard might have whistled for For.
est Farm. Jim Hinkley's the biggest
rascal unhung, and he hates your
father. He'd have liked to spite him
by selling to somebody else. Well"
Ezra heaved a mighty sigh," for my
part I'd be willing Jim had got it.
ought not to let you cling TO the thought
Of me, Helen; it will spoil your life"
The girl gazed at him with frank
tenderness. His sturdy form and
bronzed face filled all her horizon.
"Can you stop thinking of me?" she
asked simply.
God knows can't" he answered,
and then he lifted his old hat with
reverent gesture and kissed her.
The next day he was plodding along
the road to the village filled with the
problem that always absorbed him,
when a stranger accosted him. He
looked up and beheld an elderly gen
teman with the stamp of city life on
his face, clothing and manners.
Young man." the latter began, "can
you tell me the whereabouts of place
known as Forest Farm?"
"Yes," replied Ezra. "Walk right
ahead and turn the first turning to the
left, and as soon as you cross the creek
you're there" Then, with bluntness
that amused his interlocutor, he con-
tinued, "Were you thinking of renting
ftY
The stranger smiled leniently and
tapped his hand with legal paper he
held. "No, I wasn't thinking of rent
ing it," he answered deliberately; II
am thinking of buying it. In fact,
have just bought it. My daughter saw
the place and thought she would like
1t for a summer home, and I have
come down to look at it myself. My
dnod hnra will s,, 1nno Inn
boundaries. I'm much obliged to you"
The kindly stranger bowed and
moved on, leaving Ezra to stare after
him, his lips parted, his thoughts in
turmoil.
His face REDEEMED under its bronze.
In some uncomprehended way had his
chance come? Might he do for Allen
Burchard some service which should
win him Helen?
He made a swift movement 10 follow
the stranger, as suddenly changed his
mind, and charged up the village street
at pace that scattered the children
before him like leaves in the wind.
Squire Winslow, sitting at the desk
IN his second-story office, looked
startled as the young man burst into
his room. "Well! What's the matter,
Ezra Fairfax" exclaimed the old man,
pushing his chair back, images of dire
catastrophes crowding through his
brain.
Il don't know" gasped the other,
dragging a seat to the desk and falling
into it. Then with catches of the
breath he told his story.
The Squire pushed up his spectacles
and listened, frowning.
Certainly, remember the transfer
of Forest Farm" he said. II drew the
deed. You say Mr.. Burchard is away.
Couldn't he have"
mo, he has only been gone since yes
terday, and he told me the day he left
he was going to give the place to his
daughter. Jim Hinkley's at the bottom
Of this, somehow or other"