The Fourth Watch

Gold

what's th

oom. He stared at her for an instant, and then a sheepish grin crossed his face. His clothes we

have you been doing

h," came the

ook like it. Have

lips. "I swatted him good a

d w

d his face, and dug

r!" Nellie exclaimed. "I don't unders

d description of the scene in the store, to which

r took old Billy's gold?"

ponger!" how those words stung him. How contemptuously his father had always spoken of such people. They rankled in his heart as he sped up the road. A squirrel in an old fir-tree had shouted them at him, while a forl

looked into those big brown eyes a deep lov

d reply. "If anybody called my dad bad names when

or a while, steadily wor

h, "I want you to promis

. What

hat you will say nothing

like to know how I

said about him. It's a cruel lie, and if father hears of it,

ink Parson John would like to know how I punched him," and

. Run away now, change your clothes, and wash your f

nformation? She thought of Mrs. Larkins, but then she was over at the Hall getting ready for a church sale to be given that very evening by the Ladies' Aid Society. Stephen was coming for her early, as she

ion in the morning. A feeling of resentment filled her heart as she recalled what Farrington had said. To think that he should say such things about her father, who was always so patient and loving; who wa

mation. "What ails my little girl

lied. "I want to love you mo

n away and get ready. I hear bells; Stephen must be coming, and

of the older ones as they sat back near the wall. Grouped around the large room the flower and strength of the neighbourhood chatted with one another, while waiting for the dance to begin. The

. Presently the former turned partly around and her eyes rested upon Mrs. Larkins sitting quietly in o

rkins," she began. "I did not

hemselves," Mrs. Larkins replied, "and I h

slow response; "but to-nigh

n what

out my

is he

at home to cheer him up. I know he needs me to-night, and it was just his love which

ur father will have his

that auction this morning. Some cruel things were said about him, a

e room, as if intent on what was taking place there. Then her dark eye

to ask you something. I have only spoken of it to Vivien, for she is so t

Billy Fletcher's g

hat I mean. Oh, it t

cessary concern. Evil-minded people will talk. I said nothing to you,

ithout these. He has that trouble with the mine in British Columbia; then

responded in an effort to comfort her. "Let u

ever. People cannot understand where father got so much money to pay for the farm. I don't even know mys

gitated state of her mind. Before Mrs. Larkins could further reply, the mus

man's love. What nobleness and strength of character are there. But what of Stephen? If he would only

o had taken the seat by her side

egan, nodding towards the dancers.

him a good partner,"

he comin' election. He'll never win, mark my word. Gadsby's too full of notions. He wants to set the world on fire, an' has all kinds of

ied Mrs. Larkins. "He reads much, and is

that's about as fer as he's got. He has big idees, an' i

n what

ad, write an' cipher. Them things will pay. But as fer botany, who ever heerd of it helpin' a man to manage a farm, or a woman to sew, cook or make butter? Now, look at me, Mrs. Larkins. I never

factory, office or behind the counter. Life is meant to be enjoyed, and whatever tends to enlarge our children's perspective, which will give them a love for the beautiful, will lessen the drudgery of life, and devel

his man's narrowness and ignorance nettled her. Farrington, however, was not in the least

eld the trailin' clouds of His glory!' 'Parson,' sez I, 'What will ye take fer yer knowledge? How much is it worth? While ye've been gazin' out thar at that sunset I've been gazin' at these letters, an' I find I'm better off by twenty-five dollars by gittin' my eggs an' butter to market day afore yesterday, jist when the prices had riz. That's what comes of gazin' at facts sich as price lists an' knowin' how to buy an' sell at the right time. That's of more value tha

ving Stephen Frenelle and Dick Farrington alone in the middle of the room. The attitude of the two left no doubt as to the cause of the disturbance. With clenched fists they faced

looking straight at his opp

he angry form before him. While he hesitated and all held their breath, Nell

. "Stop! don't go any further!

axed, and without a word he followed her to the door. As they donned their wraps and passed out into the night, sighs of relief at the termin

e. The night was clear, and the crescent moon rose high in the heavens. Not a breath of wind stirred the tree

auper!" Stephen at length ex

reply. "How could any

m down if it hadn't

you didn't

'll get even with him yet. I'll teac

ven with him? You can do

ssively, and Stephen lo

r he's nothing but a clow

will only be putting yourself on an equality with him. You want to get more than even, not by h

what way,

he people of Glendow that you are not a fool or a pauper, but

Nellie,

I do,

ened up to Stephen a new meaning of life. A virile energy rent the old husk of indifference, and a yearning, startling in i

t last opened to the young man the myst