Year: 1876

| there is nothing to Interfere. He was
free to WOO whomsoever he would; sht
was likewise free and to be wooed. The,
could meet every day if they wished, ano
/ their right to meet and to love was TN
questioned Newhall noticed that the ar
list was devoting himself to the schoo
teacher; but Newhall said he seemed to
be a nice fellow and it would be a good
| match, and then smiled on them in {
| friendly, encouraging way.
| 1t was the evening of the third OF July
Miss Ferney had closed her school thai
day for the. summer, and she was ex
| hausted with hard days labor. She
was sitting on the porch Of farmer Hcop
er's house. eatherby came up the path
saw how tired she was, and said he would
not ask her to 90 down to the river as he
had intended, because she was 80 tired.


"No," said she, getting up Il am moi
she stopped and blushed She had said
no more than she meant
And ~ he asked
"Oh, you deserve to be treated better.
| after walking up the hill, /" sho said laugh
ngly.


He was sure that was not what she was
going to say, but had to be satisfied then
They went down the long lane through
the meadows to the river. 1t was I,
pretty walk and lovely river. They
had been there often before. But neither
WAS quite so much at ease tonight as
usual


She was going away in few days to
spend her vacation at tho home Of an old
schoolmale He was wondering il she
loved him; if it was possible that she
would give him a yes to the question
he was about to ask her He had deter
mined week before that he would ask
the question. She was everything that
he wanted in a wife. She was sweet
tempered, beautiful, cultivated and hon
est If he won her he would have the
satisfaction Of knowing that she married
him for himself, and his future would be
but little less perfect than Paradise.


Il wish you would tell me what you
were going to say about me Tonight he
asked, alter what seemed long silence.


Il was going to add that you would
rest me,n she said, with bushing candor


His heart beat loudly, as he took her
hand and kissed it. She did not draw it
away


ii love YOU" he said Il wish might
give you rest always Do you think you
could learn to love me?"


II love You now,' she replied in a
whisper


When they parted that night he had ex-
planned TO heg that he was not rich, but
that he was able to live modestly, and
had tJld how love for her would give him
yigor and power to do great things. lie
was afraid his manner was little theat-
rical while he had said this, because she
looked at him in puzzled way. But her
answer was a kiss


They were married in August. He was
married at farmer Hooper's, and all New
hall turned out to the wedding. And
when Featherby took his bride away,
many were the good wishes that followed
them.


And he had not yet undeceived her, nor
told her of his real position in the world,
Their bridal tour was not through hack
ncyed routes. but was through by-ways OF
country where they We're always close to
nature He did not want any of his
friends to meet him and remove his wiie's
ignorance yet. They drited along in this
way during September, and then Feath-
erby began 70 long to hayu his bride in
her own house.


lie said they would turn their faces
homeward, aud she said that she was
glad.


BY the by, my dear" said he, "do you
not want to see your father before we go
home ~


"Mv father is dcal'' said She. but |
have always called my uncle father"


You have never told me where he
ived,n said Featherby,


"Iou have never asked me before she
said


mo, Of course not" said he. fearing he
had made an inslnuaton when he had no
intention Of doing anything Of the Kind
II have not cared before, because | want
ed YOU all to my self But now we will
90 and see your friends, if you wish,
l hat is why | asked where your father,
OF uncle lived"


lie lives i'll Athol, said she, with face
averted.


"What?" he exclaimed. and then, re
covering himself: In Athol? And what
is his name? ?n


Robert Thrift"


A cold sweat came out on Featherby s
face


What a stupid fool | was, not to re-
cognize YOU! remember now that Thrift
had niece. Verney. OF course you knew
me all the time r.


Yes, said she slowly, Il knew YOU all
! the time"