The new enterprise., 1905-06-29

| squire on tne ROAD, ana inc rider nae
refined up.
Silently he handed down the deed
which the old man examined eagerly
Just as l thought" he said curtlyi
mot recorded. Have you money? Not
enough, perhaps, for everything. Here,
take this"
Ezra accepted the bill, and the brief
instructions which the lawyer went on
to give him.
Better tell the Burchards, 1 guess.
They'll worry either way. Thank you,
Squire Winslov." Fairfax swiftly bent
and wrung his old friends hand,
"God bless you" returned the old
lawyer, unsteadiy.
| 1t would take too long TO describe the
details Of that ride The road was a
short cut compared to the roundabout
way by rail from Edgcomb to Lowell.
The brave colt did his best, rolling an
eye around occasionally as IL to ask
why, when so many steep hills had
been Travelled, he was still urged on;
but when, iaded and worn, the two
finally reached Lowell, the Registry of
Deeds was closed. Ezra's voice was
unsteady rs be asked concerning the
arrival Of the last train from Edgcomb.
He found that it was IN, but It, too,
had arrived after the registry hours.
His chance still remained.
He saw to his horses comfort; but
for himself there was no sleep that
night. Too much hung in the balance.
With the first rays Of dawn he was
walking about the street, waiting for
the appointed hour.
He turned his steps toward The best
hotel in the place, and lounged near at
breakfast time, but did not see the
face be sought among the guests.
Suppose the strangers deed had al.
ready been recorded before that ox-
pcrlmental visit to Edgcomb! Ezra
Set his teeth. cot ".-
But clock drew on. lie dared
liNger no longer near the hotel, and
moved away toward the Court House.
The hour sounded from the steeple.
The bell electrified him and he hurried
on; but suddenly a sight more moving
still caught his view. 4 well.dressed
man, whom Fairfax recognized only
too certainly, had just ascendcd the
steps and was entering the registry
office, For an instant things turned
black before the tired man; then he
1ervcl himself, gloucled Lis hat over
bis eyes, sprang UP the steps after the
shouldorcd him aside, and
2ICing through the room ahead Of .
.!cl, rc0cAcl tie desk lcst and offered .
ls shaking Dayar. - .E'..,..s.
"Where are your manners, young
'ellovE" asked The Registrar, glancing b,
)acG Mt the somewhat annoyed and
look on the other mans face.
Ezra's cold lips stammercd something
,RQpt hurrying, -,y..,,.., .,,,,,,,-~
"Ihere's tilIe enough In this world
or folks to be civil. You've got the
,ay before YOU haven't you" said the
.lerk, looking, to FairfaX's acute ap-
rs IL lie might be gclng to
rider him aside in favor Of the person.
.go be had Just josted,
The young mans excitement leaped
rom bis eyes, but bis slouched hat hid
hem. II was none Of the Registrars
puslness If the clumsy fellows lips
we're ashy, He still grumbled as be
cached for his rubber stamp.
The dull thud with which it struck
be paper sounded above the ringing
Il Ezras ears, Then the clerk glanced
t the clock and proceeded to write in
is place, IN legal form, the moment Of
egisiraton, Us = .4js,-.la..2-''; q .''
"Niae lcJls and two minutes"
Tho words were written, He stag
erred as he moved aside to let the
ortly gentleman take his turn.
The Registrar, with a casual remark,
ulled the second deed toward him,
tamped it, and then took up the pen
nd wrote:
"Nine hours and three minutes"
Ezra held on by a corner Of the desk,
or the clock, prints and maps on the
walls were chasing each other madly
round the room.
Forest Farm was saved! And Helen?
Mr.. Burchard returned home to find
lis strong, quiet "hired" man the hero
f the village. Squire Winslow, de-
lghtod not little with his own pres
nee of mind in the affair, had s.l-
dotted Ezra's history far and wide.
"You know you always said, father,
hat Forest Farm was to go with me-"
emnrked Helen, demurely, $50, logic
lily, go with the farmland the farm
S Ezra's.'
She opened her eyes at her parent
nnocently and slipped her hand into