Page:Edward Ellis--Seth Jones.djvu/16

Rh Haverland now stepped outside, where he saw Seth, all agape, gazing at Ina, as she passed to and fro in the house.

"By gracious, you, I'm goin' to fall in love with that gal. No 'bjections, hope?"

"No," answered Haverland, with a faint smile, "her heart is unfettered, and I hope it will remain so for a long time." "Oh! I don't mean to love her as you dew yer old woman—yer wife. I mean jest as I would my darter, yer know. She's too small to think about lovyers yit. Don't you let sich a thing git inter her head for five years or more."

"I'll try not to; but let us take a walk. I have something to say, which I would that they should not know for the present."

"All right—but jest hold on a minute."

At this juncture, Ina appeared with a small vessel, as if she intended bringing some water from some spring nigh at hand.

"Hold on a minute, gal, my beauty," said Seth, stepping forward, and reaching tor the pail. "That's too big a load for you to carry."

"No, I have done it often, thank you, but it is no work for me."

"But jest let me fetch it this time, if only to show my good will, and my activity."

Ina laughingly yielded the vessel, and watched him as he took long, awkward strides toward the point where the path led into the forest.

"How far is it off?" he asked, turning round, as he reached the point mentioned.

"A short distance," answered Haverland, "the path leads to it."

Seth made some unintelligible answer, as he jerked his head back and disappeared.

This simple occurrence that we have just narrated, although trivial in itself, was one of the circumstances which often controls important acts, and which seem to show that an all-wise Ruler, orders them to suit His purpose, and to bring about good in the end. Seth Jones had no object other than a little amusement in his course, yet before he returned, he saw how fortunate it was.

He strode rapidly forward, and after passing a short