Year: 1860




floating out upon the breeze as she few
along Faster, faster Another moment
past and she was within a leap of the wide
gate. But the pursuer was there before her,
and like frightened deer she sprang away
in different direction. There was another
gate that led from the west side of the
grounds, and like lightning she shot towards,
it. Oh horror of horrors 1t was locked
fast !! She turned about again, but the enc
my was close upon her track, and there was
no hope Of escape for her. Painting and
trembling, she stood silent until he came
upon her.


"Permit me to escort you to the house,
Miss Weston" he said. bowling low before
her, and speaking as though nothing in the
world had happened to mar his self-posses-
sion


mo, I thank you, sir, will 60 home,
if you please" Kate's voice shook as she
spoke, and she fairly reeled, as she made an
attempt to take few steps forward.


Il cannot permit you to go home while
you are SO weary" said he, courteously
"You cannot walk without assistance even
Lean on my arm; in a moment we shall
reach the house."


But Kate did not accept his aid willingly :;
and 50 he went forward, and gently putting
his arm about her, drew her toward the
house. Her breath came freer in a mo-
ment's time, and when she stood within the
old oak entrance hall she was quite herself
again.


Il will not 60 further, if you please, sir, %
she said, pausing there, and giving hurried
glance over her disarranged toilet.


''This to man of my hospitality, Miss
Weston? This way, if you please He
threw open door into a small sitting room,
and motioned her to enter. When she went
hesitatingly forward, he drew large easy
chair up before the window, and begged her
to be seated.


ooh, but our fruit ~ said he. Excuse
me for not relieving you before of the bur-
den."


Kate crimsoned to the very roots of her
hair, as he pointed to her apron of apples,
which she still held looped up over her arm.
The next moment he had gathered them in
to a fruit dish, and was ringing for plates
and knives


Excuse me, sir, bat I cannot remain
tis fash of fia gft into lis face nl4nn


''But 1 shall insist upon it, said he. II
have moral right to detain you tonight,
remember"


''Or would have, perhaps, if I was not
able to purchase my own ransom, said Kate.
Il think understand you. May [ ask at
what price you value your fruit %


She drew her purse from her pocket with
one hand, and pointed to the fruit with the
other.


Mr.. Waters lip curled for moment, and
his steady eyes burned beneath their perfect
brows with deeper light; but when he
spoke, his voice was as firm and mellow as
though the faintest ripple of passion had
never broken over it's quiet surface.


by the peck those apples are worth
let me see-some five shillngs, at the early
season of the year. Perhaps | can afford a
discount upon the price as you have taken SO
large quantity


''No, no, sir, do not rebate the smalles
fraction upon them, as you value your hap
piness?' said Kate IF have not enough
money in my purse, can apply to some
friend to lend me the remainder


Miss Weston p said the young farmer,
and he spoke her name in low, stern voice


"You choose we'll, sir, am sure" said
Kate. ''And the score of girls who visited
your orchard tonight, [ am only one who
has not some friend to buy them from the
unhappy consequences of this adventure. =
There is my purse STRIP


She threw the small purse upon the car
pet at his feet, as she spoke, and then,
ashamed of her ungenerous words and her
high flow of passion bust into tears.


Miss Weston !" The voice was little
tremulous now, but it detracted nothing
from its deep sternness. He stepped il
front of the door, as he spoke, as he divineo
an intention on the part of Kate to glide
from the room.


"A moment, if you please-I will no
detain you long," he said inclining his heac
toward her. Il believe you too true anc
generous, Miss Weston, to think me guilty
Of such meanness as you have just ascrbeo
to me- am sure that, for long TIME
you must have known better. If you have
not, it is not my fault. For long time
have been interested in you Your face
pleased me when [ first looked upon it, ana
[ felt that it was no common SOUL no poor
spirit, that spoke out SO eloquently from,
your features. 1t may have been weak in a
man, much your senior in years, to follow
you about, though [ have endeavored to
treat you with the courtesy and respect
which were yours by right, as l have done
I have esteemed you very highly; have, l
am almost afraid, by the little pang | feel
at my heart tonight, been allowing myself
to love you, even. That is all. promise
you as a true gentleman that will not an
noy you more. You may go now"


He stepped aside from the door to allow
Kate to pass out, but she stood before him
without moving to 60, while the wilful tears
still broke up from the depths of her beau
tiful eyes and fell upon her cheeks.


II will not detain you longer" he re-
peated, hesitatingly, seeing that she stood
immovable and silent,


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