Farmer Waters' Apples

It made no little stir in Cranston when it was rumored about that Farmer Watera had been lieard to gay, in the presence of some twenty or more persons, that whoever he had the good luck to flnd meddling with his carly fruit he would treat in a manner not over and above palatable. No little stir, I say, it occasioned, because the good people of the thriving, popnlous village all wanted to learn (as all such good people do) who the trespasser upon the grounds of the riehest farmer in the village might bo. But in vain each man looked into his neighbor's face for some trace of guilt, and eyed askance every rollicking yonngster that walked along the street - nothing could be learned of the nnruly marauders; till at last the vülagers hinted that the wealthy bachelor was more frightened than hurt, and that he only raised the outcry to frighten thieves away from his premises; that no one would dare to venture through the plantations, or get within the shadow of the old, solemn, ghostly-looking grange, for the sake of a few early apples. But there was a little mystery about the affair that the people of Cranston could not see through; not that it was so very deep and profound that it was proof against all solution; on the contrary, it was the eimplest matter in the world - or would have been, I mean, if they had known how to solvo it. For that part it was just like any other pnzzle. They could easily conceive the possibility and probability of a wild set of mischievous urchins or frolicsome young men, and even a company of unprincipled vagabonds, disturbing the quiet of the farmer's orchard, but further than that their ideas could not find a, way. Had they been told in confldence that the morning after the depredation there were innumerable tracks of tiny, dainty shoes upon the green turf and soft, brown soit of the shrubbery, that in one place was found a smallkid glove, and in another quite a bit of a cambric aandkerohief, with the name of the owner delicately traced in the corner - had they been told this, I say, they would have better understood the quiet way in which the owner treated the robDery, and the profound silence which he jept when the subject was discussed in lis presence. But they did not know, and so they scouted at the whole affair, or at least as much as they dared, when ;he riehest and most honored man in the village was concerned. But, one day, when the little wonder ïad quite died out in the village, to those who knew "the signsof the times" there seemed an event of some importance jrewing. All day, in the old brick louse opposite, the laughing, mischievous girls were knotted together in various places, chatting in low, confldential tones. School over, th'e merriest of the lot sat down upon the green turf and bent their bright heads together, and said so many funny things, and made such a number of comical suggestions upon the matter which tkey were discussing that the whole air rang with their laughter. Just over the way from the young ladies' academy the stately house of Mr. Waters gleamed out from the plantations and shrubbery that surrounded it - looking so royal and grand, so like some old, ancient castle, with its arching pórticos and snowy turrets, and above all so formidable and threatening in its aspect, that none but a set of madcap school-girls would have dared plrn against its peace and quiet. But, from the many roguish glances and bright, suggestive smiles that were directed toward it during the day, it was quite evident that the old mansion and its grounds was the subject of their thoughts and plans. At night the question was proved beyond a doubt, for when the village was still and quiet, and the moon sailed clearly up the blue steep of the sky, pouring her rain of silvery lightupon the old grange, a strange procession of reckless, merry lassos stole into the wide, old gato that led through the principal avenue of the formal old garden to the coveted orchard. For awhile as they wound along the shady walk they were silent and cautious, hardly daring to breathe a sentence above awhisper; but each moment they gained courage, and before they had trayersed half through the grounds their mirth got the better of their fears, and they laughingly joined their daring leader in a plan to capture the owner, if he should trouble them. "The one that shall catch him first shall have him," broke in a light, musical voice above the buzz and laughter of the party. " Good, good !" answered another ; "but that will be Kate Weston, our Capt. Kate, Í am sure, for she can outrun any girl in Cranston. Why, girls, she goes it like a deer !" "Hush, hush!" Capt. Kate turned about suddenly as sho spoke, and held one white hand up threaténingly toward the party. "If you mention the old ogre's name, he'll be sure to be out here. Bemember, his apples are dearer to him than his gold; for, like many men, he thinks more of having his stomach well filled than his pocket. " How beautiful she looked, standing up there in tho full, clear moonlight - brilliant, daring Kate Woston ! There was a deal of pide about her glendejr, willowy form - in the way she carried her perfect head, flashed her great bazel eyes, and curved her tempting rosebud mouth. And now, as she spoke of Farmer Waters, her whole face seemed to glow with an expression nearly akin to scorn. For some reaeon, no one knew what, she had taken a bitter dislike to the great man of the village. Her very flrst impression of him was an unfavorable one, she used to say. When she met him ene afternoon, as she was returning from a walk, he had stopped a friend to ask about her, and that, too, in such a loud tone that she could not, had she willed it, remain ignorant of what he was saying. She had heard bis companion give her history in short, detached sentences. "Poor orphan - delicately reared - well educated - very beautiful aud talented - proud - living with a poor relation on the ontskirts of the village," were the words that feil upon her ear as she swept haughtily by them. After that she had been introduced to the handsome, wealtuy young farmer at a school picnic. She knew that the presentation had flrst been suggested by him; and,lhough she met his courteous, gentlemanly advances with a qniet, easy dignity, at heart she was repulsing him all the while. Perhaps he was conscious of this, for he was nore than usually winning aud pleasing in his addresses, even when he saw in what a bitter, satírica! way she cut down his finest and most polished sentiments, qnietly making them the food of her merriment. This was not all, either. It was not enough that Kate should have all the enjoyment of the day spoiled for her; but she must work herself up into such a passion as to lay awake half that night, in order to sob it away from her naughty, perverse little heart. Poor Kate ! And that was not all, either. On St. Valentine's day some one had annoyed lier by sending for her acceptance one of the prettiest, dainticst little riiigs imaginable, within the expanding bud of a blush-rose valentine. And then tne most puzzling of anything about it was that it was posted at Cranston, where she did not know a single gentleman who could afford to send her a preeent of so much worth. She had vowed, at first, never to wear it; but, after a while, when she found that it looked so pretty upon her slender white finger, and improved her taper hand so much, she gave up, and did not allow it to go a single moment from her sight. And, better stil], she used sometimes to press the dainty circlet to her lips, and then pout and put on the haughtiest of all her ways to make up for her foolishness. So it was thatmatters went oc between iie proud, gentlemanly young farmei and the brilliant, beautiful Kate, until ;he affair of purloining the apples was arought to notice. Kate could not orook a threat, and, when the young 'armer's cartel reached her, she headed ;he little group of her sïhool friends for a second attack. Kate looked very beautiful, standing ;here in the cïear, silvery moonlight, lolding up one white hand menacingly ;oward her watching band of followers. "Pshaw, Kate ! don't let's try to keep still ! Let him chase us if he likes, and see what he'll catch," sounded the pleasant, musical voice of little Lucy ■Jmiles. "I don't believe I shall drop another glove for him to piek up, let me run ever so fast. I hope he was pleased with my name stamped upon the wrist." " He didn't trouble himself much about you or your name, I'll wager you, when he had Kate's dainty 'kerchief to wear next has heart. That isn't the best of it ; there was a specimen of her ñandwriting upon one corner of it, and, if he sn't as blind as a bat, he'll see who 'avored him with the bushei May-basket made out of cabbage heads. Kate wrote .he verses," retorted Mary Prince, aughing and clapping her hands. "Hush ! say, girls. Youmustn't run on so; I don't want to be caught without any apples," said Kate. "So speak ow, if you cannot keep from talking. We are almost there now. Hush I See ;he ripe, yellow fruit glistening in the clear moonlight !" Kate tiptoed up to the little thicket of trees, followed by the hushed group. "After all, I don't believe there is any use in keeping so still," she said, looking around. "Itseems too much like downright steaiing, instead of graciously condescending to test our neighbor's hospitality. So help yourselves, dears, while I preside as well as I can, in place of the gentleman himself. No doubt he'll thank me for it when - he gets a chance I" "Perhaps, after all, he's hid in this thicket of trees, and when we get to helping ourselves, as you say, he'll come jumping out here in the very midst of us," suggested some one, in a timid voice. "Pshaw! Don't f ear, Hattie. Why, we'll frighten him to death in fiv minutes if he ventures to show his head. There ! take this apple - and this - and this. Catch them as fast as I throw them. That's brave ! Stand out where you are, ani, if you hear any noise, why, run t cried Kate, turning again to the tree. " Here - catch my hat, and bring me some leaves. I am going to ornament my hair for the occasion." She twined the dark leaves in and out her glossy braids, and then, looping a fairy white apron upon ore arm, commenced fllling it with apples. "One for Elly Gray, two for Dame 'Lizabeth, three for little Bobby, and the nice big bouncer for me ! Thank you, thank you, Mi. Waters ! The company beg n?e to tender you in their behalf their- their - what's that, girls?" As Kate spoke, there was a little crackling noise among the apple boughs in the thicket at her back, and before she had time to sound an alarm young Waters boundedout in the very mïdst of the frightened girls, who ran, screaming lustily, in every direction. But could there have been an eye witness to the comical scène, it would have been very easily observed that the farmer cared little about capturing any save their wild, reckless leader. Down the long avenue Kate flew like the wind, with the dignified bachelor following closely after her. Faster, faster sha went, her long, glossy braids f alling about her face anti down her shoulders- her light scarf, like a banner of rosy mist, floating out upon the breeze as she flew along. Faster, faster I Another moment passed and she was within a single leap of the wide gate. But her pursuer was there before her, and, like a frightened deer, she sprung away in a different direction. There was another gate that led from the west side of the grounds, and like lightning she shot toward it. But oh ! horror of horrors ! It wa locked fast ! Se turned about again, but the enemy was closely upon her track, and there was no hope of escape for her. Panting and trombling, she stood eijent until he oame up to her, " Permit me to escort you to the house, Miss Weston," he said, bowing low bcfore her, and speaking as though nothing in the world had happened to mar his self-possession. ' ' No, I thank you, sir ; I will go home, if you please. " Kate's voice shook as she spoke, and she fairly reeled as she made au attempt to take a few steps f orward. "I oaounot 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 reoch the house." But Kate did not accept his aid willingly, and so he went forward, and, gently putting his arm about her, drew her toward the house. Her breath came freer and easier in a moment's time, and, when she stood within the old oak entrance-hall she was quite herself again. "I will go no further, if you please, sir," she said, pausing there and giving a hurried glance over her deranged toilet. "This to n man of my hospitality, Miss Weston ? This way, if you please." He thiew open a door into a smal] sitting-room, and motioned her to enter. When she went hositatingly forward, he drew a large easy-chair np before the window, and begged lier to be seated. "O, but our fruit!" said he. "Excuse me for not relieving you before of the burden." Kate crimaoned 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 neüft moment he had gathered them into a fruit-dish, and was ringing for plates and knives. "Excuse me, sir, but I eannot remain longer," said Kate, risiDg, and giving a littie flash of light into his face. " But I shall insist upon it," said he. " I have a moral right to detain you tonight, remember." " Or would have, peihaps, if I was not ablo to pürchasa my own ransom," said Kate. ' ' I think I understand you. May I ask at what prk 3 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 eurled for a moment, and his steady eyes burnedbeneaththeir perfect brows with a deeper light ; but, when he spoke, his voice was as firm and mellow as though the faintest ripple of passion had never broken over its quiet surface. 'By the peck those apples are worth -let me see - some 5 shillings at the early season of the year. Perhaps I can afïord a discount upon the price, since you have taken so large a quantity." " No, no, sir, do not rebate the smallest fraction upon them, as you value your happiness !" said Kate. " If I have not enough money in my purse, I can apply to some friend to lend me the remainder." " Miss Weston !" said the young farmer, and he spoke her name in a low, stern voice. " You choose well, sir, I am sure," said Kate. "Amongthe Ecore of girls who visited your orchard to-night, I am the only one who has not some friend to buy them from the unhappy consequences of this adventure. There is my purse, sir I" Ghe threw the small purse upon the carpet at his feet as she spoke, and then, ashamed of her ungenerous words and her high flow of passion, burst into tears. " Miss Weston !" The voice was a littie trena ulous now, but it detracted nothing from its deep sternness. He stepped in front of the door as ho spoke, as he divined an intention on the part of Kate to glide from the room, " A moment, if you please - I will not detain you long," he said, incliñing his head toward her. "I believe' you too true and gencrous, Miss Weston, to think me guilty of such meanness as you have just ascribed to me. I am sure that for a long time you have known me better. If you have not, it is not my fault. For a long time I have been interested in you. Your face pleased me when 1 first looked upon it, and I feit that it was no common soul, no poor spirit, that spoke out eloquently from your features. It may have been weak in a man, much your senior in years, to follow you about, though I have endeavored to treat you with the courtesy and respect which were yours by right, as I have esteeme'l you very highly; have, I am almost afraid, by the littie pang I feel at my heart to-night, been allowing myself to love you, even. That is all. I promise you as a true gentleman that I will not annoy you any more. You may go now." He stepped aside from the door to allow Kate to pass out, but ehe etood before him without moving to go, wliile the willful tears still broke up from the depths of her beautiful eyes and feil upon her cheeli". "I will not detain you longer," he repeated, hesitatingly, seeing that she stood immovable and silent. She drew up her haughty head as he spoke, and dashed the burning tears from her choeks; then she started forward without looking up into his face. Por a moment slie tottered upon the tbreshold, preseing her slender fingers over her wet eyes, and then turned back again to her host, who stood with his head bent toward her. " I - I - do not want to go !" she cried, springing back to him, and holding out both white hands to meet his eager, passionate grasp. Then - then - but the rich young farmer is too reticent and great a personage for me to meddle with this ono delicious littie lovo scène of hia lifc. You must imagine the rest yourself, dear reader. All I can say is that Kate Weston became Mrs. Waters in consequence of the affair of the apples.