The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-04-08
JOHNS WO0ING.
BY BELLE MANTATEs.
Copyright, 1905, By Daily Story Put

(CopyflBnt, lSV6, By Dally Story Fuo'
 Co.)
 In an old-fashioned, dun-colOred farmhouse which stood back from the road, hidden among the trees, lived Farmer Emwald, his wife and Doro- they, sole daughter of the house and home. About the place was a min gled air of thrift and lavishness. Their frugality had ever been com bined with hospitality. Though they were hardworking. plain-living peo- pie, their management had been poor. A mortgage. sickness among the cat tie. two poor seasons and fire in the woods had forced an issue. There fore at II o'clock today all the farm and home effects were to be sold at auction. The mortgage was to be forecIosed, and on the morrow the family were to move into tumble down old farmhouse on forty acres which they had rented.
 Mrs. Emwald unable to watch the disposition of their goods and the stock. had gone to neighbours to spend the day. Dorothy had valiant ly remained with her father, though the sight of his careworn face and sad eyes merely broke down her cour- age and forced calmness.
 To add to the general dismal state of affairs 1t was raining. veritable  bidders and thus contribute to the usual "Emwald luck"
 Dorothy stood at the -paned window, looking out at the level stretches of meadow, the green roll ing fields and the orchards rich in foliage and fragrance. It seemed incredible to her that they were to leave all this and the home that was like part of themselves She gave a little shudder as she beheld the auc- tfoneer drive up to the door. which she opened to him.
 Good morning. Dorothy. Is your father about?'
 He's at the born, MT. Grey. Will you drive down there and put out your horse or wait for himY"
 "I won't stop to see him. You can tell him there won't be a sale today. There wouldn't be a soul come in this weather, and we'd better postpone 1t for a couple of days"
 The light of joy that flashed into the young girls eyes touched the stony hearted auctioneer, and he rode away devoutly wishing he could call off the sale for all time. Dorothy's father did not share her joy at the postpon ement He had braced nim- self for the wrench and he wanted the thing over.
 'Women are different, though" he thought as he hitched the gray mare and drove to the next neignbor's for his wife. He was scarcely out of sight when Dorothy saw a carriage drive mp from the cross road. John Palmerton young man of seven and twenty years, whose parents had re- gently died and bedueathed to him the largest and most prosperous farm fin the country, came up the front walk.
 T am sorry. John. but you've had your long drive through the rain for nothing" said Dorothy, as she admit ted him. "The sale has been post poned on account of the weather"
 T didn't come to the sale Doro- thy." he replied, his serious brown eyes looking straight Into hers.
 "Ohr she said. little nonpIussed by his call. They had always known John, and she frequently met him at the country gatherings. but he was so very quiet and different she had never found 1t easy to talk to him.
 q only heard of the sale this morn ing I've been away for a week. I wanted to tell you all how sorry am"
 Thank you. John." she said. her eyes growing moist at the sympathy in his earnest voice. Its going to be hard for us to leave our homo.
 
 It's harder on father than any of us. He was born here, and
 Her voice entirely failed ner, and John gathered courage from the sight of her weakness
 "Dorothy," he said earnestly and abruptly. T have loved you ever since you were a little girl. but never dared to tell you. I knew you never cared for me but, now, be my wife. Dorothy! Let me buy your fa- ther's farm and give 1t to him.
 Dorothy looked pale, surprised and troubled
 No, John! No, I couldn't"
 T know you don't love me, Doro- they, but maybe in time you'd como to care. I am not trying to influence you by what I said about the farm. I think a good deal of your father. but there is no other way in which he would take help from me. I tried to lend him the money to pay the mortgage. but he wouldn't accept a favor. won't you think about 1t. Dor othy?"