The Ordway new era., 1917-03-16
CHAPTER il-continued.

and pretty and freckled; and when
she wrinkled up her nose as she
asked the question, David could not
forbear smiling. In spite OF the mo-
mentary smile, the utter hopelessuess
that returned to his cavernous eyes
almost frightened her. She felt as
though she had unwittingly knocked
at the door of a house that hid
tragedy, and she was on the verge OF
dismayed retreat But under the
funny little nose there was KIND
little mouth and square little chin;
so she drew in her breath and ran up
all her colors.
1.-TWO pound ten q yard
"It's dollars not pounds here, you
know" she chIded. you're English,
aren't your"
His smile was frankly bitter nov.
I'm done with England" he flashed
back.
"A Yankee then?" even more in
credulously.
"Yes, thank God!' he burst forth.
She hastened to remove the tmpli-
cation of scorn il her words.
swell, I supyrrs weIl be, too-fa-
ther and l. We Just arrived at Cory
don this morr ing. But I'm not thank
ing God especially for the prospect"
His silence seemed to dlsconcert
her. She may have been conscious
of something in her that imagined a
rebuke he did not intend. She bit
her I,p and threw a backward glance.
sThree cheers for the president !"
IL ci
fty to her words. She turned and
beckoned TO her father, who was chat
ting at the door. he seemed to be
used to her humors, for he came for
ward induIgently with, "Well, daugh-
ter?"
He had the broad, red face of q
prosperous British farmer, a ruddy
slsk in which you might discern no
sun-spot of guile. Heartiness radi-
ated from, him as from the maturing
sun. Hi, shrewd little eyes looked
on David with so honest kiIdllness
that Davti gave him instant trust. A
strange E:ing, for David knew 1t was
the farmers of England whose flour
made tie threepenny loaves whose
price had made the weavers go hun
CRY.
"Father, I want you to"-she turned
winsomely to the young storekeeper-
~What is your nameT
The young man surrendered. 'tDa-
vid Laurence"
s.This Is my father, Mr.. Job Gran
mer. My name is Lydia, and I'm his
only daughter and he does what tell
him to, don't you, fatherT And she
gave him a tug at his elbow.
The name Lydia instantly became
for David one Of those on the calen-
dar.
"Your daughter is very kind, Mr..
Cranmer."
The girl hastened to impart the one
piece of information she had Cleaned
about her countryman.
ale says he is going to live here"
"a fine country, this, young man."
approved Mr.. Cranmer heartily. II
mean to settle here myself. They tell
me land is as cheap here on the will
derness border as Goals in Newcastle
Pm farming man"
you're no farmer?" hazarded the
girl to David.
"Oh!' said Cranmer, comprehend
ing, "then it hasn't been all skittles
with you, hey, young MANI"
A wave Of dark red swept over Da-
vid's face and he seemed unable to
answer.
nottingham way, maybe?" pursued
his questioner.
''Yes," he assented, and choked over
the word.
Your people have been hard trod-
den, haven't they" pressed Cranmer
kindly.
"Oh, do not mind me of tt" broke
from David's lips. He bowed his head
to hide the tears he could not control.
Lydia turned to her father for ex-
PLANTATION.
Likely this young man suffered
with the Luddites," he remarked.
"Tell u.s." whispered Lydia, 1--WE are
sorry
"Ay, d-n England" clustered
Cranmer. without an apology for the
oath.
David looked ct the man intently.
There was something about him that
reused question.
nottingham market place is fair
sight" observed the farmer.
you've been therer
~Ay, one Whit-Monday feast"
Clifton groves were green then"
cried Lydia eagerly.
There was blood on the parade at
A1artinmas two years ago." David
1urat f0rfh, nre smoldering in his eye.
eOur peoDis gathered nrst at market
e1AJs - October; maybe II was
~ I1A1v ~ saw there tAsn INIT
~ Wla ~ fafA1e and m
W 4 - essn ~ - nssl
IA y - = y ! - 1hsss vsuU