Gordon Keith by Thomas Nelson Page
page 55 of 709 (07%)
page 55 of 709 (07%)
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A frown began on the youngster's face, but passed away quickly, and in
its place came a look of covert complacency. "I thought your father had offered you five thousand dollars if you would stick it out through, the whole trip?" Keith said. Ferdy shut one eye slowly and gazed at Gordon with the other. "Sickness was barred. I'll tell the old man I've studied. He'd never drop on to the game. He is a soft old bird, anyway." "Do you mean you are going to lie to him?" asked Gordon. "Oh, you are sappy! All fellows lie to their governors," declared Ferdy, easily. "Why, I wouldn't have any fun at all if I did not lie. You stay with me a bit, my son, and I'll teach you a few useful things." "Thank you. I have no doubt you are a capable teacher," sniffed Gordon; "but I think I won't trouble you." That evening, as Keith was coming from his work, he took a cross-cut through the fields and orchard, and under an overshadowing tree he came on Ferdy and Euphronia. They were so deeply engaged that Keith hastily withdrew and, making a detour, passed around the orchard to the house. At supper Mrs. Tripper casually inquired of her daughter where she had been, a remark which might have escaped Keith's observation had not Ferdy Wickersham answered it in some haste. "She went after the cows," he said, with a quick look at her, "and I |
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