Year: 1869

always wanted our farm, because it joins
some of his own land where he wants to
build. heard all about it when one Of
the neighbors was talking with Ben,
though he didn't want me TO know about
it.


Millie had listened to this with Curl
Gus mixture of feelings. for Squire Johns
was declared lover of hers, and though
she had not yet accepted him. she had
been pleased with his attention, and had
certainly given him encouragement.
Moreover, he was to receive his final ali
swer in thr,e days from that time. and
she was not sure the answer reserved and
laid away for the time was mo" True,
Milie was not in love with him, but she
had waited SO long for that ccstatic state
of feeling she had read and heard so much
about, that she thought she was not capa-
bic OF love and that 10 like any one was rs
much rs she could expect. But she
certainly liked Squire Johns as well if not
better than any one, and his love must
certainly be disinterested. for he could not
know that-But now Millie stopped
Could he not Might he not have found
outin some way. II this story were true,
would such a man be likely 10 marry poor
girl? For Millie Warner was really an
heiress in small way. She was sole in-
heritor of small farm frcm her father,
and FIVE thousand dollars in bank stock.
But the farm was two hundred miles
south of this town, where she was visit
ing cousin, and nobody knew OF it; and
during her visit she had helped her cous
in in her work as she had always helped
her mother when she was ut home-ca-
pable, industrious little girl that she
was.


This story agreed with things that she
had heard limited ut, and even that the
next momen. was smoothcd over, for
Squire Johns was rich and influential
man, and people could not afford with
out some reason. To lose his favor. She
remembered il all now Could he in re-
ality be such scoundrel9


She could Judge better about the truth
of the story when she had seen Ben.
Who was he? Two or three inquiries
had amounted 10 nothing. The children
spoke just rs fevery body must know
who Ben was. Was he an uncle, cousin,
hired man. or what? Evidently some
body very old, by the way Hetty spoke of
him. But she shrugged her shoulders rs
she looked out at the still pouring rain.


Young Ben Hazwell, out in the field,
pitched up the last hay on the load, lean
ed his pitchfork against tree, and took
off his straw hat TO cool his moist fore
head. His gaze followed the hay cart.
went over the broad lands, and returned.


The hay is all gone in he said, with a
long breath of relief Il could not afford
To lose even one load now; don't know
that can do it; but if can sell part OF
the land may Ii will be hard pull
though


The young man followed the cart into
the barn. The storm was at its height
when he went towards the house from
the back way. He stopped in surprise as
he saw through the open window some
one standing at the table, with arms bare
to the elbow, mixing flour. Ii must be
Martha.


No; those fair. white arms arc no Mar
tha's, neither hers the slender, graceful
figure As he came nearer, he could dis
the sparkling piquant face. She
was laughing and talking with Helty
and evidently giving her the directions
for what she was making. Hetty was
gazing upon her, eager and absorbed.
Little Eva was sitting at the table in her
high chair, working at a piece of dough.


A tate for Ben 1t was rs black as
her little soiled fingers could make it;
but it did not occur to Eva that that could
be an objection. 1t was pretty sight in
that long desolatc home; and he stood
there unconscious Of the pouring rain. e;'-
gcrly gazing at the young stranger, him.
self picture of manly beauty, till the
men calling to the oxen, awoke him from
his reverie.


BY and By there was hearda sputtering
Of water in the next room by Hetty.


Ben has come running hastily for
ward and opening the door.


Ben has tumm echoed the little girl
clapping her hands and lisping. as he
came in, bright and smiling, what she
had in store for linn, Il is made tate for
90, is


He caught her up in his arms and gave
her kiss, while she laughed and shout.
ed but his eyes were seeking the stran-
ger.


He.ty said prettily; My brother Ben.'
Then to him; This lady got caught in the
shower, Ben, and is staying with us until
it clears up. She has been so kind as to
help me get dinner. and has made some
splendid biscuit


They both stood mute minute, she
with surprise at the real Ben, young,
handsome, and we'll bred; he with admi-
ration and strange new feeling he
could not define. lie had hardly made
her welcome, with return of selfpos-
session, when there was loud rap at the
street door. Hetty went to the door,