Year: 1874

our long aDsence, were WhtCniuS ioI NO
at tn gate, and Arabella, with gracious
cordiality, introduced the stranger, ex-
planning in an aside who he was. Or
course, we invited him in, and though,
in consideration OF the lateness OF the
hour, he politely declined he promised
to do himself the pleasure Of calling in
few days.


" He is very gentlemanly and agree.
able," said Arabelta, with emphasis, as,
seated at tae table, we narrated the
events of the day; and it must be con-
fessed that we were all rather elated at
the prospect Of having our solitude in
vaded now and then by this same agree
able and gentlemanly person.


Beyond the simple fact that he was
farmer Hills nephew from college, we
knew nothing whatever about him, but
his face and voice were of themselves
sufficient to inspire confidence, and be-
fore many weeks went by we had come
to regard him as our right hand man.
Arabella consulted him on all matters of
business, and Grace and | were constant
ly asking his advice about gardening,
while Frank, who had set her heart ON
raising brood of chickens, held animat-
ed conferences with him as to the best

way Of promoting the health and happi-
ness of her feathered pets at least when
the two sat for half an hour at a time
on the back porch in the twilight watch.
ing the little creatures nesting under
the mothers wings, it was naturally to
be supposed that they formed the chief
subject of the discussion.


cit is hardly polite to trouble Mr..
Strong so much about those chickens,
Frances" Arabella would say, 8" A COL
lege man like him is not supposed to
be very familiar with the raising of poul-
try"


Then ii is high time he turned his
attention to it" said Frank, with mis-
chief lurking in his eyes.


Another case of annoyance to our ell
der sister was the simplicity of Frank s
toilets.


81 do wish, my dear Frances, that
you would make yourself look little
more stylish. These young collegians
are not accustomed to seeing ladies dress
ed like kitchen girls"


But Frank declared that half the
pleasure of living in the country was
the privilege of dispensing with style,
and persisted in wearing calico dresses
and white aprons.


I don't think Arabella had the least
inclination to try matchmaking, or any
thing of the sort, she was simply anx-
ious to have her three girls make good
impression but her anxiety was oppres-
sive, and |, as we'll as Frank occasion
ally rebelled. Mr.. Strong, was sure,
was too sensible to like us any better in
silk dresses and panniers than in plain
calico. So followed Franks example,
and certainly the sight of the calico did
not seem to disturb him in the least. |
don't know what we should have done
without him that summer. 1t was lone
ly enough at times as it was, for our few
neighbors were so scattered that we saw
but little of them, and even our city
friends seldom came for more than a
days stay, SO the young mans visits
were doubly welcome. In addition to
being an entertaining talker he was
fine singer, and always ready to join us
in song he brought the newest books
and revived our love of botany by con-
slant contributions of wild flowers, and
regularly on Sunday evening he escorted
US all to church.


So the summer waned and autumn
came, and we began to fear our pleasant
friend would soon be leaving US for col
lege Once or twice we had broached
the subject, but he seemed inclined to
be a little reserved about it, and we let
it drop.


&" don't see why he has to go at all"
said Grace, " he knows enough now"


Z" He is certainly very intelligent for
man of his age" said Arabella, but of
course he wants to finish his studies.
wonder what he intends to be. 1t is
strange that he does not tell US more in
regard to himself and his plans.


" May be Frank can tell u.s." said
Oracle, archly.


A curious little smile was playing
about Franks mouth.


He left college year ago and is ex-
pecting soon to take a partner and begin
business, believe" she said, demurely.


Arabella looked up in surprise.


Why, / thought his uncle spoke as
If he was still a student"


"There was some mistake about that
| think" said Frank. The farmer was
speaking of his nephew, Ralph Hill, not