The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1905-05-12

1
tlest property In Middlesex County"
The farmer and his hired man were
driving along the road to the station,
for Mr.. Burchard was going off on a
weeks trip TO buy some cattle.
Ezra made no reply 10 this boast He
| had heard 1t a number Of times, and
rs he loved Helen with his whole heart
IL was not "A pleasure to listen to, es-
pecially as he understood at this time
IL was a warning note intended TO pre-
vent any philandering In his employers
absence.
IL shall never have Forest Farm II
that is the price | 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. II 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 might have been your
mothers help today" The girl
smiled In way that warmed EZras
utSpiIrllp H'HTl.
"Tf there were only something | could
do 10 change matters" he exclaimed.
| hate the name Of Forest FARM
wish Hosea Uinkley 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 II to be when he
secured it before good Mr.. Hosea died"
Yes, il that scamp Of brother Of
his had got hold Of il, | guess Mr..
Burchard might have whistled for For
est Farm. jim IIinkley's the biggest
rascal unhung, and he hates your
father He'd have liked to spite him
by selling to somebody else. Well
Ezra henved 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; 1t 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 I can't" he answered.
and then he lifted his old hat with n
reverent gesture and kissed her
The next day lie was plodding along
the road 10 the village filed with the
problem that always absorbed him,
when stranger aCcostcd him. He
looked up and behcld an elderly gen
tleman with the stamp Of city life on
his face. clothing and manners.
Young man." the latter began, "can
YOU tell me the whereabouts Of a 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 bluutness
that amused his interlocutor, he con.
jinued, Were you thinking of renting
u?"
The stranger smiled lcniently and
tapped his hand with legal paper he
held. mo, | wasn't thinking Of rent
ing it," he answered deliberately; Il
am thinking of buying ii. In fact, |
have just bought il. My daughter saw
the place and thought she would like
it for summer home. and | have
come down to look at 1t myself. My
Iced here will assist me in locating
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 q
! turmoil
His face reddened under its bronze
I'm some uncomprehcnded way had his
chance come? Might he do for Aller
Burchard some service which should
win him Helen?
He made "A swift movement to follow
the stranger, rs suddenly changed his
mind, and charged up the village street
at pace that scattered the children
before him like leaves in the wind
Squire Wiusow. sitting at the desl
in his second-story office, looked
startled MS the young man burst int,
his room. We'll! What's the matter
Ezra Fairfax" exclaimed the old man
pushing his chair back. images of dir,
catastrophes crowding through hi
brain.
u'u huuNs SdSHNh NAN 'Ah'A
dragging Il seat to the desk and falling
into 1T. Then with catches OF tn
breath he told his story.
The Squire pushed up his spectacle
aud listened. frowning.
Certainly. remember the transfe
of Forest Farm" he said. IL drew th
deed. You say Mr.. Burchard is away
Couldn't he have"
"No. be has only been gone since yes
tcrday. and he told me the day he lef
he was going 10 give the place To hi
daughter. Jim Hinkley's at the bottot
OF this. somehow or other"
Squire WinSlow found time eve
amid his problem TO admire Ezra
keen. set face.
There is only one thing that coul
have made 1t possible for Jim to me'
die and suppose that Is just the thin
that has happened said the Squir
after grasping his stubby chin in dee
, | thought. Ezra scrutinized him eagerl
II remember now. Mr.. Burchard m
Hosea here I'm this office and paid n
money and took the deed. When
offered 10 mail IL TO the registry. NJ
srrchard said he wanted to show II
, his wife first lie said he had busine
in Lowell next week and would tai
the deed to the registry then himse