try, and Mrs. Barclay waited not without curiosity to hear the natu

" she said, with the co

right to the best of everything, seated himself in the rockin

, "is thinking of coming

politely. Perhaps she would not have said

e none in the village except old Mr. Wade, who is superann

nk so," assen

n employ him a part o

to do with me?" t

oon l

the squire, "and as his family is small,

d the widow hurriedly. "I need

odations. I dare say you could hire a

," said Mrs. Barclay rather indign

will have no voice in

iffly. "He i

said Mrs. Barclay, with spirit, "and I shall n

ut the squire gave him an assur

squire significantly. "I am under the impress

nted Mrs. Barcla

n hundred dollars, i

s,

ney for other purposes, and w

hs' notice," said the wid

e months' notice to-n

o raise the money," f

nd here. He will assume the mortgage

nly a thousand doll

ce, in my opinio

th fifteen hundred dollars," sai

r madam; quite an absu

you sa

, squire," said Kirk, i

don't know anyt

erty," said Mrs. Barclay bitterly. "If you are a carpenter, why don't y

siness," said

the time to build at pr

oms from Elnathan Perkins, a

id the squire curtly. "He ha

rn me adrift. Here I lived with my poor husband; here my boy was born. During my married life I have had no other home. It is a humble dwelling, but

ak of the house as yours. In reality, it is more mine than yours, for I have a major interest in it. Think over my proposal coolly, and you will see that you are unreaso

he mortgage remain, if he buys, when you want the

my wife, and that makes th

t do you say?" as

t I will keep th

hat I will relent," s

; but I cannot help thinking that Providence will raise up some kind friend w

hange your mind. Till then my friend Kirk's offer stands good. After that I cannot promise. If the proper

n Providence, S

your mortgage, ma'am," sai

aw that he was a man of coarse fib

he will be all right after a while. Mrs. Barclay wi

ng, ma'am,"

ed her head slowly,

egularly. In order to do this, she and Ben had made earnest efforts, and denied themselves all but the barest necessities. Thus far she had succeeded. The interest on seven hundred dollars at six per cent. had amounted to forty-two

the mortgage, or induce any capitalist to furni

's return from the Town Hall