mmended to me?"

"They wouldn't suit him," said the squire curtly. "He has set his
mind on this house."

"Squire Davenport," said Mrs. Barclay, in a softened voice, "I am sure
you cannot understand what you ask of me when you seek to take my home
and turn 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 it has associations and charms for me which it
can never have for no one else. Let Mr. Kirk see some other house and
leave me undisturbed in mine."

"Humph!" said the squire, shrugging his shoulders; "you look upon the
matter from a sentimental point of view. That is unwise. It is
simply a matter of business. You speak 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
unreasonable. Mr. Kirk may be induced to give you a little more--say
three hundred and fifty dollars--over and above the mortgage, which,
as I said before, he is willing assume."

"How does it happen that you are willing to let the mortgage remain,
if he buys, when you want the money for other purposes?" asked the
widow keenly.

"He is a near relative of my wife, and that makes the difference, I
apprehend."

"Well, madam, what do you say?" asked Kirk briskly.

"I say this, that I will keep the house if I can."

"You needn't expect that I will relent," said the squire hastily.

"I do not, for I see there is no consideration in your heart for a
poor widow; but I cannot help thinking that Providence will raise up
some kind friend who will buy the mortgage, or in some other way will
enable me to save my home."

You are acting very foolishly, Mrs. Barclay, as you will realize in
time. I give you a week in which to change your mind. Till then my
friend Kirk's offer stands good. After that I cannot promise. If the
property sold at auction I shouldn't he surprised if it did not fetch
more than the amount of my lien upon it."

"I will trust in Providence, Squire Davenport."

"Providence won't pay off your mortgage, ma'am," said Kirk, with a
coarse laugh.

Mrs. Barclay did not answer. She saw that he was a man of coarse
fiber and did not care to notice him.

"Come along, Kirk," said the squire. "I apprehend she will be all
right after a while. Mrs. Barclay will see her own interest when she
comes to reflect."

"Good-evening, m