The Solitary Farm

o with m' gel," said Captain Huxham, in a thick voice. "Oh, I

would have happened it is hard to say, for Captain Huxham was in a frenzy of rage

ried passionate

urning fiercely on her, "an' arter I told y' es y'

no reason for asking

ger. "Y' call him Cyril, y'-y'-slut." He raised a mighty fist to strike her, and the blow would h

nyone, sir, you

eck, cuss y'," ra

f you like, but I don't propose to let you do it. Come, Capt

land," shouted Huxham, swin

e between the two men. That was not to be thought of, as if Lister killed the captain, or the

r why you, sir, object to my marrying Bella." He spoke quietly and firmly, so that the level tones of h

man so cool, and calm, and self-controlled. "Y' ain't m' chice," said he in lo

said Lister smoothly;

he don't get no

who was rapidly regaining her colour. "I

," grumbled her

hear your obj

e's List

gh. But in place of doing so, he turned white and retreated a step. "W

shen't tell y' m' business. Y' git off m' land, or--" he suddenly

with a shout, or rather a bellow of rage like a wounded bull, sprawled full length amongst the corn. Bella push

owly, for the fall had shaken him, and he was no longer young

your head," cried Lister, suddenly losing h

had learned a lesson from his late fall. Lister was active and young; the captain was elderly and slow. Therefore, in spite of his superior strength-and Huxham judged that he had that-it was risky to try conclusions of she

oldly; "but you are not going to behave as

," growled Huxham, lo

ok amiable. "I don't think you will," she said, with feigned c

ed Huxham, boiling over once m

retorted Lister, and was surprised at the effe

bronze, and hastily cast a

n sharply. "I never met you before; you hav

I'd a parrot named Lister, I'd twist its blamed neck, same es I would yours, ef I could. Bel

ng man's name. And again, as she took a few steps to accompany her father, Bella noticed that Cyril wince

. Indeed, so angry was the captain, that he might again have assaulted his daughter's lover, but Cyril walked rapidly away, and without even a backward glance. Bella watched him wit

tain furiously in her ear; "

walking proudly by his side, "even though I have the misfortune to be

hussy. Y'll go t' yer room, an' eat bre

he said quietly. "I shall go to my room certainly, as I have no wis

, looking at her savagely with his hard b

e fallen in lo

eyed me in seein' t

front door of the manor-house-"why do you h

y'. This house is mine. I am master here." He rolled into the doorway and suddenly turned on the threshold. "I'd ruther see y' dead an' buried than merried

promised an explanation when next they met. A remembrance of this aided her to possess herself in patience, and she tried to put the matter out of her head. But it was impossible for her to meet her father at supper and forbear

, she could see the red-roofed houses gathered round the square tower of the church, and the uncultivated fields, green and moist, spreading on all sides. The sun was setting, and the landscape was bathed in rosy hues. Everything was peaceful and restful outside, but under the manor roof was discord and dread. Huxham in his den paced up

f she persisted in thwarting his will. In that event she would either have to earn her bread as a governess, or would be forced to ask Lister to marry her-a direct question which her maidenly pride shrank from putting. Moreover-as she recollected-Cyril had plainly told her, only a few hours previously, that he could not marry her unless he obtained one thousand pounds within the week. It was now Tuesday, and it was not easy to raise such a large sum

nautical dress. As it was, the red hue annoyed her, for red was the colour of blood, and there lingered in her mind the ominous speeches which had been made by her father and Lister, when quarrelling. "I'll kill y'!" said the captain; and "Take care," Cyril had replied, "that you aren't killed yo

t her anxious face in the glass. "To-morrow,

mmediately to admit the plump figure of Mrs. Coppersley, carrying a tray. "Here's some dry toas

set down her burden; "and if he thinks to punish me in this way, he is ver

disobedient daughter," s

do you thi

sy. "I don't know what to think," she said, sitting down to gossip. "Of course, your father is impossible, and always wants his own way. I don't see why folks should not

"he is a gentleman, and the man I love. By the way, aunt, you might

o the kitchen for the toast," snapped Mrs. Copper

ed Bella, pushing the cup away. "

persley cautiously, "but I don't know an

n the world, aunt; but, like yours

an to say that you would marry a man ab

d," retorted Bella, spiritedly; "and I intend

e penny," cried Mrs. Coppersley. "I approve

thought you agreed that a woman

knows life, Bella-not a

rs of age," flas

ps a night of loneliness will bring you to your senses, my dear." She passed through the door and

he lock, and she knew that she was a prisoner. And the door was so stout and strong that there was no chance of a frail girl, su

f my father in this way! I shall have to submit to this insult. There is nothing else I can do. But oh, oh!"-she clenched her hands as she again returned to the window and

y-captured bird dashing itself against the wires of its hateful cage. To and fro the girl walked, revolving plans of escape from her father's tyranny, but in every direction the want of money proved an obstacle imp

atmosphere was luminous with starlight, although there was no moon visible. A gentle wind bent the rustling stalks of the vast corn-fields, and their shimmering green was agitated like the waves of the sea. White mists rose ghost-like o

t he was her lover. Her heart beat wildly. Perhaps Cyril had come, or, rather, was coming, to see the captain, and to plead his suit once more. Greatly agitated by this unforeseen visit, she leaned out of the win

" she called o

the house without knocking at the door. Bella started back in surprise. She knew that the front door was always unlocked until ten, when her father usually retired to bed. But it seemed strange that Cyril, who had quarrelled with the captain that very day, should cho

she might think of what was best to be done. Cyril and her father had quarrelled, and again she remembered the ominous threats they had used to one another. It was inconceivable madness for Lister to to beard the

to be present at what would probably be a stormy interview. Already she was straining her ears to catch the faintest sound of quarrelling, but as yet she could hear nothing. Certainly Cyril had closed the front d

ope for descent from the window. But as she caught at the linen, she felt a drumming in her ears, and sparks seemed to dance before her eyes. Apparently the strain on her nerves was making her il

ry, and again passed out into the starry night. The silvery voices of the nightingales in the copses round Marshely

winter was freezing the now moist air. The stars yet glittered faintly, and the high-pitched whistle of a steamer could be heard from the distant river, but on the whole, the ear

dizzy, for over her stood Mrs. Coppersley, shaking her vigorously by the shoulder. "Bell