The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle. — 1885-12-26 (Stourbridge, West Midlands, England)

THE STOURBRIDCTE OBSERVER.  valley, the distant village, with its white sinoke. wreaths rising straight in the breathless air; behind them a dark wood, and au evil face peering out from a dense growth of unclerwood not ten yards off: a very evil face, melodratnatised by a quantity of black hair—much dishevelled by crawling through the bushes—by a hooked nose, and gleaming white teeth: mere accessories these, which might heighten the effect of the picture, but the expression was the thing. The veriest beginner in the study of physiognomy might have read envy, hate, jealousy, cruelty, printed there in unmistakable characters; while a graduate in the science would have added incipient madness and murder.  "I have come to call on you upon business," said Thomas, unwitting that his words were overheard, and by whom. "Shure !". cried Jenny, in astonishment. _ _  "Yes. I have got the lease of poor old Jones's farm, and father has given me the money to stock it, and so forth, with the first year's rent in hand, so that I may not be pressed. Well, you know, the farm comes right alongside of your bottom field yonder, and Williams is past his work. It is enough to make your poor father turn in his grave to see the state the land is in. Now, what will you give me to set it all right for you, and look after it just as carefully as if it were my own?" "I don't know," said Jenny, who was earnestly plaiting gathers in her dress, and then smoothing them out again. "Shall you ask much ?" "Very much—all you can give me.* " Lor I"  "I shall want all the thoughts of this little head, and all the love of this little heart,. Will you pay me that ?"  Jenny, blushing redder than the sunset, murmured something, which her companion rightly interpreted— " You have got that already."  Which caused a break in the conversation, the lovers having arrived at a station where "ten minutes were allowed for refreshment."  "And I want this little hand," resumed the infatuated Mr. Thomas, "and the right to put a ring on it." And he caught hold of the coveted member, which was not very white or soft, but which trembled pitiably. "And if you hear certain banns put up next Sunday, I want you not to forbid them."  "Next Sunday! 6h, George, how sudden Why, this is Thursday!' _ . _ _ _ _ _  "You forget, we have to be asked three times before, my payment can begin; and 1411:lake it a rule never to do anything for nothing and the farm wants attending to at once." The train had no right to come to another refreshment station so soon, but it did, and there was a considerable pause before Thomas resumed— "l shall start off early to-morrow morning to Brecon to siern the lease, which lies in the lawyer's office there, for r want to get back by night. I shall be too late to see you when I return, but the first thing Saturday morning I shall look in, and tell you that it is all settled."  The sun had been relieved, and the waning moon, which looked like a half-sucked lozenge, was on for the night before the lovers separated. George Thomas, with a light step and lighter heart, stepped gaily along a path cut through the centre of the wood, and disappeared. Jenny, too, tripped with elastic tread towards her cottage; but suddenly she stopped, and pressed both hands to her heart as a look of wild pain passed over her face. Suppose she should sea him in the church to-morrow night! The thought was too horrible to dwell upon; she shook it off, and entered the house.