Spray courier. (Spray, Or.) 1???-19??, 1916-04-27

BY EDITH v. ROSS

"Enoch Bnrnackel! What name
Any one would know that he was q
erusty old nnn Of the farmer type
uncducated and with no manners
But what can dor
These words were spoken 10 herself
by q girl who had some sixteen years
before been left at foundlings' home
and who had been given the name VI
Helen and had later chosen the nddl.
tlonal name Of Whitman. She had
been retained ut the home as nm en-
pioycc I'll she approached seventeen.
then was Informed that farmer
named BnrnacLei had written that he
wanted n wife and asked whether one
could be sent 10 him. Helen was In.
formed Of the opportunity.
After long aud tcarful dclIbcra-
tlOi. feeling Incompetent to go out
Into the world and make II living. she
decided 10 30 out to Mr.. BarDackeL II
he was very terrible she might com
NIT suicide. The matron approved Of
her resolution. for ghe was comcly.
and the good woman feared TINT with
her ineSperience she might fall vic
tim to some designing person.
Mr. Barnackel was informed that
there was n young woman ready to
accept bis proposition. and he senc
money for her Journey. The heart
broken girl nerved herself TO her fate
and one afternoon alighted Mt rail.
way station at the village near which
his farm was located. a young farm.
or with n whip IN his hand approached
her and asked if she was the young
woman who was TO marry Sir. Bar
nackcL
II am." was tile reply. THAT IS. II
be isn't nn ogre
Tho young man smiled His smile
was very winning. II have team
here" he said. "I'li drive you TO tho
farm"
When seated In the wagon and he
hnd said get up" to the horses Helen
expected that he would say something
TO her. He did not. He seemed TO be
thinking.
what kind OF "A looking man is Mr..
BarnnckelT' she nsked.
Now. the young man was George
Bnrnackel. nephew OF the man who
had written for q wife. Tho uncle
was fifty years old. bis face looked
like II ball OF strings, his hair was red.
aud he was just too unlovely for any
thing. At any rate. that Is the way
the daughter OF one of the neighboring
farmers put It In fact, he was ex-
actiy what Helen had conceived him
TO be. Judging from his name. He
must also have been fool or he
would never have sent his good look
ing nephew for young girl he ex-
pcctcd TO make his wife. Upon Hell
ems inquiry George turned his face to-
ward her. displaying a set OF regular
white teeth by smiling. and asked:
Suppose | should tell you that he is
4 disagreeable old codger and always
cross rs a bear. What would you do?"
Il would jump into the river-thnt
q, II there Is one near by"
There was prolonged silence. at |
he end Of which tine young man said: |
And what would you say II | told
Tou that | am Mr.. Barnackeig''
Helen's heart went mp into her throat. |
She made 10 reply to the question. but
he sidled nearer TO her companion.
there came subducd voice: |
Are you Mr.. Barnackel?"
II am"
Her face was bent low. He leaned |
over himself nnd looked up into 1t.
lie saw what he took to be Il look of
'lcasurc. Perhaps II was relief. The
ems were In his right hand She was
lifting at his left. He put his left
rm about her waist. She looked up
I him. her eyes wet. suspicion of
mile on her lips. lie kissed them.
How far Is It TO the farm?" was
he next thing said.
about three miles"
George drove over six miles. which
eemed like three TO Helen. then stop
ed at farmhouse.
wait In the wagon" he said. while
20 In to tell my mother and sister
ou'rc here. They don't know you're
Dming"
Leaving the reins In her hands. he
'ent into the house. He was gone Il
ing while. Helen saw the face OF
n elderly woman surveying her from
window, then younger one doing
le same.
"Oh. dear" she said. II hope they're
Ot going to make him send me backr'
Presently door opened and the two
omen came out. the elder In advance.
he welcomed Helen. though she seem
| constrained. Leading her into the
ouse, the younger woman showed her
} chamber upstairs and. shutting
10 door behind them. took her In her
ms, exclaiming:
You poor child!'
why am to be so pitied? 2" asked
ellen. surprised.
You're not It's all right. Well
AXE you very happy My brother is
IT the Mr. Barnackel you came out
IRE TO marry. That one is my uncle.
crusty old man who would not do for
u at all. Being rheumatic, he asked
Gorge to drive you from the station
his farm. George wants you HIM
If. Mother has given her consent,
I'd you are TO be married-that is. IL
u wish to marry George-at once"
Helen asked If haste We're necessary.
AOron ranliad RI fhiS tbot HE hr;do