The Solitary Farm

ion of the law, brought suddenly face to face with the "might-is-right" theory, he would have to fight for his own land, even to the extent of slaying anyone

ecame aware of the evil which underlies the smiling surface of things, and it was as though an abyss had opened suddenly at his feet. But although he did not know it at the time, the seed had been sown in hi

imself and the evil atmosphere of Bleacres. But his legs failed him as he laid hands on the latch, and he sank white-faced and shaking into a chair. In this state he was discovered by Mrs. Coppersley, the captain's s

After all, Huxham was well known as a decent man and an open-handed friend to one and all, so there was nothing to be gained by telling a truth which would certainly be scoffed at. T

ly, "he got me up there once, and I thought I'd never come dow

emptation. Silas was not used to alcohol, but the shock he had sustained in learning so much of Huxham's true nature prevented his exercising his usual self-control.

oul," entreated the housekeeper

trength to his limbs. He stood up in a few minutes, quite himself, and indeed more than himself, since the rum put into h

h a jolly laugh, "it's something much bette

h I could charge an army

panelled room with a jerk of her head. "Ja

thought of again having to face his tempter. "I mu

with a slight accession of colour to her already florid face. "Say that

lin at various local concerts. He was at least ten years younger than Mrs. Coppersley, who confessed to being thirty-five-though probably she was older-and the way in which the widow ran after him was something

n it that I am aware of, Mr. Pence," she declared violently; "if I c

o marry Henry Vand?"

he buxom woman impatiently. "Henry and I

a cri

ped, "and therefore nee

after him," prot

o don't you go to defend her, Mr. Pence. Henry, poor boy, who is an angel, if ever there was one, is quite neglected; so

" said Pence, findin

rently, "when my brother dies I'll have money

as, surprised into saying more than was wise.

's steward, and saving, died ten year ago, I lent my brother some money to add to his own, so that he might buy Bleacres. He

"your brother told me only lately that if I married Bella,

rob me of what is mine. I take everything, and Bella nothing, so you can put that in your pipe and smoke it, though you ain't man enough to smo

strangely in his own ears, "not to tell your bro

id that she

tion of such an engagement wou

Coppersley, looking the picture of st

r. Lister, and would kill him rathe

idently she knew what her brother was like when rou

his abruptness he added, "I'll tell Henry Vand that you will see him." Aft

Coppersley's husband? The disparity in age did not matter, as Vand, in spite of his good looks, was club-footed and poor. But Pence doubted if Mrs. Coppersley would inherit Bleacres after Captain Huxham's death, in spite of the arrangement between them. Unless-and here was the chance for the housekeeper-unless Bella married Lister, notwithstanding her father's opposit

t the time was not remunerative. But every year since he had entered into possession of Bleacres the owner had sown corn, and every year there had only been the one meandering path through the same, the very path which Pence was now taking. There was evidently some purpose in this sowing, and in

ver. The water-way ran straightly for some distance, and then curved down into the marshes at its own will, to spread into swamps. On one side sprang the thick green corn, but on the other stretched waste-lands up to the outskirts of the village, one mile distant. There was no fence round Bleacres at this point. Apparently

offer, and came to the conclusion that the ex-mariner was mad when he made it. Pence, in his simplicity, could not think that any man could ask another to kill a third in cold blood. All the same, the offer had been made, and Silas found himself asking why Huxham should desire the death of a stranger with whom-so fa

lly employed. He engaged others, of course, when his fields were ploughed, and sown, and reaped, but Tunks-such was the euphonious name of the handy-man-was in demand all the y

thin, since the smoke of cooking the evening meal curled from the chimney. It was only necessary to lift the latch, lay down a shilling, and inquire. But even as the temptation drew him, he was seized with a feeling of shame, that he-a preacher of the Gospel, and

vely evening, isn't it?" and she tried to pass him on the n

ced himself dire

or one

resemble her father or her aunt, both of whom were stout, uncomely folk of true plebeian type. Bella was aristocratic in her looks, as tall and slim and willowy as a young sapling. Her hair and eyes were dark, her face was a perfect oval of ivory-white delicately flushed with red, like a sw

nding her brows like an

you, Mis

a man whom she knew to be as timid as a hare. "I am somewhat surpris

mid bold. "I have loved you for months, for years. I want you to be my wife-to sha

assure you, Mr. Pence, that it is imposs

get. Why shou

ons, Mr. Pence," she answered drily, "

el

Mr. Pence." She spo

en I read my Bible, your face comes between me and the sacred page. To me you are Hephzibah-yes, and the Shulamite. The Angel of the Covenant; the joy of my heart. Oh, Bella, I love the very

Rise, Mr. Pence, someone will see you. You mus

t? Oh,

ot fit to be a

is feet, glowing with pas

" she insisted, "you must take my answer once

he urged de

e replied formally; "

ed to. I know

she guessed what he suffered. "In that case, I need not explain,"

Lister," he said

business,

ess, too. Mrs. Coppersley said that you were almost engaged to this man L

ent me?" asked

He hates thi

e has never even seen?" she dem

s on her arm-"if you marry this man Lister"-he kept to thi

oyal rage and stamped.

tell the

truth. How ca

me," insisted th

her eyes growing round with s

afternoon to ask permission to present myself to you as a suitor.

manded Bella, her breat

rying to be courageo

ys that

e in the

lared imperiously, "and even if I do love-but let that pa

did say so, and declared also that he would give me the man

ly; "as I am his only child, the Solitary Farm, as they call it, comes to me in any case. And I

learn the truth. You think that I am a fool and weak. I am not. I feel wise and strong; a

id not like the glittering of his

me so. Your father"-here his voice took on the sing-song pulpit style-"your father took me up to an exceedingly high m

leaped an octave; "y

man you love. A

th this hysterical youth, for he was nothing else, and spoke in a calm

iercely. "I tell you that to-day I was offere

om," she said soothingly

why not, when I love you so deeply? I offer you the heart of an ho

upted Bella, and could have bitten

at shall yet fall like Babylon the Great. But your

ng rash again in her anger; "and what is more,

e stood where he was, staring after her, unable to speak or move or