The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-07-25
THE FARMER: JULY 25, 1910

said, "but such a scheme as you men, tlon would need an indefatigable secretary, one who would give great deal of time and labor to it.'' "I would see to that, father" What, do you mean that you would superintend the whole affair ?''
 "Yes.''
 MT. Castlemaine looked at her steadily.
 "I do not say your scheme is inn possible, Olive" he said. Tt would cost great deal of money; but that fact should not stand in the way. I can see, too, that no mon should own such a place as this, and then sell fishly reserve it all to himself. What is more, I feel sure that you could make it great success, in the best sense of the word; but I see one al- most insurmountable difficulity."
 And that?"
 Well, to begin with, such an af- fair should have one controlling hand. one controlling mind. While yours was the controlling hand, and the controlling mind, all would be we'll; but presently you would not be able to give the necessary time and atten- ton, and then the thing would be- come a matter of committeeisn, and paid secretaryism, which would be utterly out of accord with my ideas"
 But why should I not continue to give the necessary amount of time and attention?"
 Well. for example. you might get married"
 Her face became as pale as death.
 'I shall never marry" she said.
 Nonsense"
 "I shall never marry" she repeat ed.
 "You do not mean that you regard yourself as bound by that mad prom ise to Leicester?"
 She was silent. but she nodded her head in assent.
 "But, Olive, this would be mad ness. The man is dead-a suicide. Even although the promise were valid had he lived, it has no mean ing now he is dead"
 "Yes, it has," she said.
 An angry look shot from John Castlemaine's eyes. The girls deter imitation was SO absurd that he had difficulty in keeping himself from speaking impatiently. He kept sil- ence,' however. He reflected that the tragic death of Leicester was so re- cent, that Olives mind was in a nor bid condition.
 Anyhow I'll think over what you say, Olive" he said kindly. -I ima- zine, moreover, that shall do what you say. Even if the scheme fails, it will be splendid failure, and do not think it will land us either in the workhouse or the bankruptcy court" is. SS8 IF A few weeks later Olive was busy examining architects plans. listening to professional golfers ideas concern ing the best way of laying out golf links, and hearing protests from cer- tain in the parish concerning her wild, utopian,and impractical scheme. Difficulties, however, did not turn her aside from her purpose, and in her arduous labors she was led to brood less over the tragic clould which had fallen upon her life.
 A year later a great change came over Vale Linden. The little way side station three miles away. which had been seldom used, became quite busy. The hills and wales, which had been well-nigh forsaken, echoed to the laughter of many voices. Tired. overworked men and women found health and recreation amongst the wild moors. and roaming amidst wooded dells, while many who, amidst the crowded thoroughfares of London, found little to rejoice in, felt that their youth was renewed as they filled their lungs with the balmy air of Devon.
 The great house at Vale Linden, which during the late ownership never received a guest, save those of a select class, was now often filled with people they would have called plebian; nevertheless, it had never since it's erection been such a centre of hospitality and gladness as now. The new homestead was filled al- | most as soon as it was opened, while l in the new church, which John Cas- tlemaine had built, people who had | listened to no preacher but the prosy | vicar, rejoiced in the thoughts of men who had a real message to de- liver, while those who had lived their | lives amidst turmoil and strife felt | that their spiritual and intellectual | needs were met, in this quaint Devon shire village, ''far from the madding | crowd.''
 And Olive Castlemaine was the pre- siding genius everywhere. It was she who arranged for competitions on the golf links, and matches in the tennis courts No concert or lecture at the village hall seemed to be complete ! without her. The ministers who