Westways

ls had been disturbing the minds of country communities in the Middle States. In the rural districts of Pennsylvania there had been very little actively hostile sentiment

cussed the grave question of the day with an interest no previous presidential canvass had caused, and this side eddy of quiet village life was now agreeably disturbed by the great currents of national politics. Westways began to take itself seriously, as little towns will at times, and to ask how this man or that would vote at the coming election in Nov

ved. Between the two influential feelings the resolution of forces, as he put it to himself with a sad smile, decided him to hold his tongue so far as the outer world was concerned, to vote for the principles unfortunately represented by Fremont, but to have one frank talk with Ann Penhallow. There was no need to do this as yet, and he smiled again at the thought that Mrs. Ann was, as he pretty well knew, playing the game of politics at Westways. He might stop her. He could ask her to hold her hand, but to let her continue on her way and to openly make war against her, that

t his side, fished or swam in the afternoons, and so the days ran on. On September 30th, Ann was to take Leila to the school in Maryland. Three days before this terrible exile was to begin, as they

e, Leila. Wha

l be so changed in a yea

t see things then a

o say, but you always know h

may look-well, nicer-or-I can't always find the right word. Suppose we

and were gone before the ever-busy lady had ready a basket of contributions to the comfort of a sick woman in the village. They crossed the

nce you came. It seems years. Oh, yo

st have looked odd with th

t swinging on the gate. I hadn't done that f

d then-oh, Leila! when you came u

I don't mi

ul with all that splen

occurred to her. She flushed slightly, pleased and wondering, with a new seed of gentle vanity

hanged. I shall miss you. To think you are the only girl I

k then, John. I am to

ot come home un

n long skirts and your hair

. You will look after

ll write to

e very strict. But I shall w

n't be t

N

g on the abundant hair she swept back from time to time with a careless hand. Presently she stood still, and sat down without a word on the moss-cushioned trunk of a great spruce, fallen perhaps a cen

laughed, and then as he fell on the brown pine-needles at her feet and looked

thinking abo

Uncle Jim, and-and-Lucy,

st Uncle Jim

dolefully and too near to the tears s

k of Aunt Ann and Uncle Jim. Uncle Jim often talks to me and to Mr. Rivers about the electio

ked. Uncle Jim, he said Aunt Ann's people held slaves, and he didn't wan

Leila. Prince Fine Ear

nce Fine Ear

d hear the grass grow and the roses t

here must be in

Don't these big pines talk to you someti

don't, but

tment faintly disturbed the play of h

ll righ

ear by, Leila carelessly gathering the early golden-rod

nging the golden plumes. "There is a wh

d Josiah says the blacks in the South think it is good luck to find the first white go

wish to have Lucy at that

Leila, is that th

h for me, if min

he school had small-pox

y P

ch as that. Aren't these flowers

when we grow up y

thoritative reprimand. "Why, John, you are only a boy,

aid, "are just

very little," re

you again; and if you say n

se, John. Le

roubled, and said, "A

not; but it was

mes, and was answered briefly; for although he had no desire to speak, the unfailing courteous ways of his foreign education forced him to disregard his desire to say. "Oh, do let me alone; you d

ighbours near enough for country intercourse, and the life at Grey Pine offered few attractions to friends or relatives from the cities unless they liked to tramp with the Squire in search of game. The life was, there

early true, but I wish she would not in

election,

?" and a singularly sad smile went with the query and a side glance at his friend's fa

d then preach against her party, and-I mean to do it. I've wrestled with this little sin and-I don't sa

preach poli

ean to do. Oh! here c

Josiah's shop. As Mrs.

ddenly remembered enga

r along the rough s

We shall leave John to you for at least a week. He will give you no trouble. He h

ways very lik

I so rarely leave hom

la seems to me lik

eila li

she was a mere wild boy. It is strange, Mark, that ever since J

in a strong body. She has the promise

rs, I should like to discuss that with you. She is at the ugly duck age. Now I must go home. I want y

at he was to do, until he said lau

ged for you to dine with him, and I suppose he will

Gregor. Tom is in the rough as yet, but he will come out all right. I shall lose

drunken bout, but he is a sort of Frankenstein to the Squire because

to any flock, he is a black sheep of Grace's fold. Anything els

rse, you will see us at the station-the ten o'clock train-and give

nk y

is coming, but he is so uncertain that he may come as he advises

s, we will try to make

little lady went away, with a pleasant word

t her busy until dinner-time. The girl was near to accepting the relieving bribe of unrestrained tears, being sad and at the age of those internal conflicts which at the time of incomplete formation

Pine carriage drove up. Mrs. Ann and Leila were a half hour too early, as was Mrs. Penhallow's

child-grief at this parting with the joyous activities of her

iss Leila-and nobody to sn

t this

yesterday. I'll let her

nd-hoops, Billy. There will be no more coasting a

r?" said Billy

said, "it's too dreadful

orge Grey comes-James, did yo

my d

good girl, my child. It is about as bad for me as for you. God bles

need to stay here with me, Mark," and the rector understanding him left him wait

t last said, "It will be pr

rds. Lonely doesn't express as well the idea of being alone and sorrowful. We must do our be

nk she will

strong young face. "

vers. I-she is more o

going to see that scamp misnamed Lamb. See you at dinner. Don

k to the dusty highway which led to Westways. John watched the tall figure awkwardly climbing a snake