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her seat and put her hands over her eyes Just for a while, there had

been a little happiness in that house

They were half-way down the hill when Jonas drew in his horses so

sharply that she er, she thought, shrinking into her corner

"I'll only detain you asaid from

the roadside Jinny was hitched to the fence, and at the doctor's

signalling hand, the stage drew up, with rattling whiffletrees Then

he opened the door and got in; he sat down on the opposite seat

"I wanted to say good-by to you," he said; "but, most of all, I wanted

to tell you that I--I have the deepest regard for you I want you to

know that I wanted to ask you if you would allow me to call myself

your friend? I have seemed unkind, but--" he took her hand in both of

his, and looked at her; his face twitched "I i, or say anything, o aithout asking your forgiveness--"

"My forgiveness!"

"--Without asking you to pardonbut--esteem; the most--the most--friendly esteeood to me," she said brokenly