Year: 1874

CONTINUED FROM THCRsDAY.J


Bernard had not returned since first he
went up, now nearly year ago, and he
had not written Jessica letter, or sent
her message. His uncle's family had
told her that he wrote to them in good
spirits, apparently, but that he said moth
ing about his business, and they believed
and hoped he was fast getting cared Of
his folly, for they understood that he
worked like common day-laborer. She
sometimes questioned Mr.. Daryl, but he
would merely reply: The young man is
doing pretty fairly" which was certainly
not very enthusiastic praise. Mr.. Daryl
had good reason for his reticence, for be
remembered how she had spread the re-
port Of Bernard's going to Maple bend
through all Perkinsville, while the matter
was still undecided, and after he. Daryl,
had told her he should tell no one.


Its strange" thought Jessica that
afternoon for the hundredth time, "that
Bernard never writes to me am afraid
he is not doing well. wonder if he was
foolish enongh to literally believe that
did not love him, and never would love
him? Or it may be he has learned to love
work so much he don't care for anything
else. A pretty result of my advice! But,
am not sorry aroused him from his
lethargy, even if never see him more r.


Here the gray eyes filled with tears,
which might perhaps have fallen but for
a sound that now struck upon her ears,
the quick tramping of footsteps throug the
long grass and daises. Her heart beat
fast, but she would not turn her head.


II knew would find you under the
ash-tree."


Bernard" And now the head turned
aud she held out both hands. He squeez-
ed them in very unciyilized manner,
that he must surely have learned in the
lumber region.


"How you have changed!n she exclam-
ed. She saw at glance that the great
brown eyes were alive with active thought,
that the mouth was firmer. and the whole
bearing of the man, resOlute and manly.


"If he had not succeeded. he has not
given up was her mental comment. She
made room for him on the bench.


"And you, not at all! You are the same
Jessica left! lido believe this is the very
dress you wore when last saw your


"How can you be expected to know one,
white dress from another ?"


1T is not your wedding.dress, l hope.
You are not married, Jessica ?"


"NO, am not married." she said de.
murely. M


Thank Heaven for that What have
you been doing this long time ?"


1.-The same old round of duties. Sew
ing and helping mother with the house,
keeping, and the children with their les
sons. There is no end to woman's work,
you know. Only, don't believe you
know anything about it,


81 know you were always as busy as
bee. and l used to think you must conse-
quently be unhappy, but l have learned
better than that now"


"lndeed ! And pray what have you
been doing that you are ashamed to write
to your old friend ?"


Ibid you expect me to write to you ?"


1--WE generally look for common cour-
tesy from those who pretend to be our
friends, and neither letter or message have
you sent me-"


IL was waiting for something of my
own" You see l have not forgotten a
certain conversation under the pollard
willows yonder."


Jessica turned away her head. IL did
not say you were to treat me with the Or
dinary politeness of an acquaintance.


AiCSolNCO " SS8 YOU no
more. to speak to you no more, until
should have retrieved my manhood.
went to see Daryl who told me of his
lumber business at Maple Bend, where j
could get work as common laboring-
hand. 1t was rather q staggering offer,
and took a couple of days to consider it.
l was at first somewhat inclined to back
out OF the scrape, but. at last summoned
up the necessary fortitude, and WENT


Jessica thought of the report she had
purposely spread around him to force him
to go, but, like discreet woman, she
held her peace.


'Hard work it was" continued Bernard
after pause, land dreary and Disagree
able. helping to get the lumber to the
RATS. and down to the vessels. This labor
lasted for three months, and II II had not
been for my positive determination that
nothing should force me back to the old
life--aud for one other thinv-T think my