The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1910-10-07

WHO Would make me IN o8efT 1ho
said. :.
Il would-1 do" he spoke firmly. Il
offer you $500 cash for this place ~
It stands" 49,. -
Sixteen hundred dollars! Was she
crazy? Hester turned deadly whita.
"But-but it isn't worth that much"
she stammered. family.
1T Is to me. I can turn my young
stock on It Ny place wont carry all
want to keep. While Twas out hunt
ing thought I'd come over here and
look 1T your land. My name IL King.
bought tho Leeds place-maybe you
know"
Hester remembered. She had heard
Of Mr.. King who had bought the
Leeds farm-the finest farm in the
region. They said he was rich. He
must be to want to give $500 for
place like this. He had beautiful
horses. She thought Of old Tom and
opened the barn door.
I've got a horse" she said. He
isn't good for much. l don't suppose
I could sell him. But If you would
take him with the place"
The man peered in at the old white
horse. There was q smile on his
face.
you look as II you would be kind
to horses" Hester said wistfully.
i've got some pretty nice ones Of
my own" he said. 'I'n bring one to-
morrow and take you to town to see
about drawing up the writings-that
Is, If you consent to SELL"
ITS Godsend to me-" Hester said,
with sob.
He stopped and patted Rover's mag
nt1cent head. For an instant he did
not seem to know what to say.
you've got fine dog here" he
said. I'LL buy him If you'll name a
price" He looked ct her. Decide
what you want for him. will you? And
tell me tomorrow. I'll be here at two
o'clock. Now must 90. It's a good
ways around the hill. Good-by, Miss
Craig"
He lifted his cap, settled his gun
upon his shoulder and walked quickly
away.
Rover followed him across the pas
ture. while Hester stood watching him
bew1lderedly.
That night Hester awoke with
start to remember. Sixteen hundred
dollars-hts kind eyes. too. Next
morning she wondered II she had
dreamed 1t all. She did not feel sure
that she had not, even after she had
dressed In her best and sat waiting
for him. There was color in her
cheeks and light in her eyes, which
showed that under favorable condi-
tons she would have been pretty. At
two o'clock she heard wagon wheels.
When she ran out she found him walt
ing in light buggy drawn by a spir-
tied bay horse. His eyes glanced in
surprise at the sweet face under the
shabby hatbrim. But he only gave her
deferential greeting and helped her
into the buggy. They drove away
The bay horse went like the wind.
The banks were gay with aster and
goldenrod. A smell of ripening leaves
was in the air. That afternoon He's
ter rode in fairyland. The writings
were drawn, the money put in Hes
ter's hands and then deposited by her
at the bank. Then she was in the
buggy again with him.
'Of course you can take your own
time for leaving the place." Mr.. King
said at last You need not hurry.
You will need to look round a bit.
You have no idea what you shall dot"
no." said Hester. That's the trou-
BILE. You see I don't know anything
but farming. And I've failed at that"
Her voice broke.
He did not speak to her again until
they came in sight Of the old house.
Then he looked at her. "Sorry?" he
Queried. gently.
Hester shook her head. sorry for
being saved! Oh, you don't know
how grateful am to you!"
He laid his hand suddenly over hers,
clasped hard in her lap.
Never mind that" he said. Az she
met his look with startled eyes, he
went on quickly: II want to tell you
something, Miss Hester. didn't sec
you for the first time yesterday when
found you crying into the barn door.
I've known about you ever since
came into this section. I've known
how brave and determined you've
been. I've looked on at your grit and
pluck and admired it. Yesterday I
made up my mind to know you better
I'm middle aged. I've never married.
Until yesterday thought l never
would. But my mother is getting
feeble, and while l can manage out
doors I'm no good at managing in
doors. need q wife. need Just tho
! woman you are. You won't have to
work hard, and I'll be good to you.
I'm not poor. and I'm not stingy. But
was cut out for a farmer, and I
mean to be q successful one. want
you to help me. If you will. want
you to marry me, Hester"
She turned and looked at him diz-
zily. She knew that he was Offering
all and Offering it in the manifest
way. She knew that his eyes and
smile meant sweet, strange, un-
dreamed-of happiness to her. She
knew. Without = word she lifted his
hand to her lips and kissed it. But
10 understood.