The Solitary Farm

ever seen, and to hesitating, timid Silas, of all people. Bella remembered that, months previously, when she had mentioned a chance meeting with Lister-then a stranger-at the cottage of

e gave no reason for his tyrannical edict, did not trouble him; but because of this very omission, his daughter took h

comings and goings. In the face of his newly-acquired knowledge this very unusual demeanour should have made Bella more circumspect, but, being high-spirited, she did not change her life in any way. Also she believed that Silas had greatly exaggerated the captain's anger, and argued from his quietness that he cared very little what she did.

her brother into a good humour when necessary, and nearly every evening slipped out to meet Henry Vand, who usually awaited her arrival on the hither side of the boundary channel. He did not dare to venture nearer to the lion's den, as Captain Huxham, aware of his sister's desire to contract a second marriage, discouraged the idea. The captain being aggressively selfish, did not inten

In the afternoon he ordinarily walked to Marshely and conversed over strong drink with cronies at the village public-house. He returned to walk around the farm again, and after supper again sought his room to smoke and drink rum until bedtime, at ten o'clock. The routine of the captain's life never varied in any particular, even

l, and that she hungered for a more moving life, or, at least, for one which would afford her an opportunity of displaying her social abilities. Bella sang excellently, and played the piano unusually well; but her uncouth father did not care for music, and Mrs. Coppersley scorned it also. The girl therefore allowed her talents to lie dormant, and became a silent, handsome image of a woman, moving ghost-like through the dreary mansion. But her chance meeting with the clever young man aroused all her disused capabilities; aroused also her womanly coquetry, and stimulated her into exhibiting a really fascinating nature. Warned that her father would have no strangers coming to the ma

Lister. He feared lest Huxham, in a rage at such disregard of his wishes, should slay the young journalist, and perhaps might, in his infernal cunning, lay the blame on Silas himself. At all events, Pence was wise enough to avoid the danger zone of the farm, and although, after reflection, aided by jealousy, he was not quite so shocked at the idea of thrusting Lister to a muddy dea

eld, and on the sacred ground of Bleacres itself. Usually the lovers met in Miss Ankers' cottage, or in Mrs. Tunks' hut, but on this special occasio

f the malodorous gloom of Mrs. Tunks' hut. "What an unlucky comparis

ome, to go amongst strangers, a

ted husband in the en

Bella. "I have plenty of peace, but very li

, biting his moustache-"we shall be very happy," he end

id somewhat tartly, for his hesitation annoyed her.

the shadow of the tall blue-green corn stalks. "It just struc

ees. "Why should it be far distant?" she inquired. "If I lov

fath

er if it be necessary,"

irmness of her mouth and the clear, steady gaze of her eyes. "

father. When our two wills clash"-she s

looked startled-"what d

y shirk obvious facts? For some reason, whic

well out of his way after your warning. But I have had a sly glimpse of him, a

th my father, I wonder--" She paused, and it flashed across her brain that her father and her lover would scarcely suit one another. Both were strong-willed and both masterful. She wo

r two of the little wars on the fringe of the Empire had been in progress. He was not particularly good-looking, but the freshness of his five-and-twenty years, and the virility of his manner, made women bestow a great deal of attention on him. Much more than he deserved, in fact, as, until he met with Bella, he had given very little attention to the sex. He had flirted in many countries, and with many women; but this was the first time he had made genuine lov

e said aloud, following up his train of t

Bella, turning qu

oman, as you are. If I make you my

tress. It's a sublime co-partnership, and the partners are equal. One supplies what

brown eyes. "Who t

ample time to th

could think," he remarked lazily; "ma

"You may ask; but I am n

her hand firmly within his own-"you are altogether too indepen

sh with yours," sa

y n

will always be anxious to act as you indicate. You have

ned that two parallel st

They meet in marriage, for then the two

almost blinded me. Some one is heliographing hereabouts." He stood up, considerably taller than the already tall corn,

o sit down," she implored. "It must be my father on his quarter-deck. The

r cannot harm me in any way. I have heard of his quarter-deck. I suppose

d Bella anxiously, "for then he

hen I shall ask him

He wants me to

ce creature aspiring to your hand. I wish we could marry at once. But--" He paused, and shook his head. Li

" asked Bella imperiou

ake enough to keep my head above wat

t is

d becoming suddenly pale; "no one but the we

times that you have been worried. Sometimes you forget everything when we are together, and

r than he was. "The kindest way I can act towards you, Be

an you when I

me if you knew

he implored, claspi

hich can't be told to a

your wife. And I love you so that anything you say will only make

you'd go to hell with m

hich exists between us, to be told thi

remarked, after a painful pause, "but I can tell you this much, that u

pounds. But fo

that, Bella," and his

all, or not at a

ust you no

with a cry of pain l

and I am unable just now to give you the reason. Save that I am a journalist, and your devoted lover, you know nothin

u, in any case,"

me you are the man I have chosen to be my husband. We are here, in the corn-fields, and you just now cal

ne to deserve such perfect love? But do not think me so ver

n?" she asked

pounds I must have, to save-but that is neither here nor there. You must think me but a tardy l

to him. "Let us have a Sabine wedding. As y

cannot. I am de

to my aunt, for he told Mr. Pence so. But what does poverty matt

t I could make you my wife within a week. I would steal, or murder, or do anything in the world to get the money and r

Cyril?" she

estiny i

ill te

Give me one kiss, and

Bella uttered a cry of astonishment and dread, for betwee