Richland beacon., 1873-04-26
doctor lives only a couple O. miles from

friends"
Friends? Yes, marin; so soon as
examine this here leg. It's broke jist
above the ankle, marm.''
"Knew that before you told u.s." snap,
ped Floy.
"You seem kind o. riled, marm. Yes.
as was sayin', it's broken jist above the
ankle-bad Job, marm!"
"Well, | must try and make him lit
tie more comfortable; this hot sun shines
right in his face" said Floy, with a com
passionate look at the poor tortured frl-
low. Pressing Farmer Stokes into the
service, she made him strip several arm
fuls of green branches from the adjoining
trees. Sticking her parasol in the ground.
she disposed the branches over and around
il, in such manner that it formed shady
bower above her patients head.
"Ah. how refreshing that is!' gaspcd
poor John. "And now, do go under the
Shade of the trees, Miss FlOy your poor
little face will be burned to a coal"
90. no; have on my broad-brimmed
hat" said FlOy. Seating herself near the
entrance of the green tent, she waved a
long bOugh to keep away the flies. John
watched her, dreamy tenderness in his
half. closed eyes. What darling she was,
after all, with her round, chil1's face, and
sweet, wOmaniy ways!
"YOu are too kind to the cross old bear.
Miss Floy," he said, suddenly; TOO good
to him, altogether"
20, don't speak sO," said Floy, color
ing violently. 81 wanted to ask your for
giveness for all my impertinence the last
two weeks"
Johns answer was prevented by the re-
turn of Farmer Stokes. who, after very
short and Intellectual attempt to find ''their
friends" again obtruded upon them his
somewhat unwelcOme presence.
! Cant find 'em, nOwhar," he said.
! ''Keep that ankle well kivered up, miss
and here's drop o. somethin' III put a
leetle life into him, maybe"
John drank from the farmers flask, and
seemed somewhat revived by the draught.
| FlOy resumed her ministrations. The
farmer, lying back upon the grass, watch
ed them both with speculative eyes.
Darn it all,' he suddenly burst out.
'.hOw did you git down here, mister? I'm
| hanged if ken ma ii out at ALL"
"Well, if you must know" said FlOy,
petulantly, "he was looking for some
thing"
"Pocket-book, eh:"
"NO."
"GOld-headed cane?'
"NO, no a specimen" said Floy, i'm
patiently producing it. 'This gentleman
is naturalist, and, in trying to secure
this, he lost his footing and fell"
She held the specimen out on her lit
| tie, soft palm. The farmer surveyed it in
blank amaZement.
"7Aats" he asked, incredulOusly. FlOy
nodded. Mr.. Stokes sat silent moment,
while broad grin slowly Oversprcad
his leathery cOuntenance. "a miller ~
he exclaimed, at last, with a long, low
whistle.
ats butterfly" said Floy, indig-
nantly.
SO perceive, marm," said the farmer.
'.Wal, l swami"
After this brief ejaculation, he bent for
lids had again closed, he said, in low
whisper, "How long sence he lost the use
Of his wits, marm?"
''He hasn't lost them at ALL" said Floy,
staring. "YOu do ask me the queerest
questions"
Why, you jst said he was a nat'ral'
didn't yOu?"
"No; said naturalist" said Floy,
choking down little laugh, as she an.
| swered him.
"Wal," responded the farmer, after a
pause, 81 don't 'Zactly take your meanin'
But chasin' butterflies does seem rayther
loony occupation for man of his age,
don't it?''
You don't understand" said Floy,
Indignantly. "It's very curious spec
| imen."
No, miss, | don't understand" said the
farmer. Its very keuriOus business,
altogether"
The dry tone in which he said this,
and the manner in which he eyed them
both as he rose to his feet, nearly upse!
Floy's gravity again. And, glancing al
John: she saw the corners of his pale
mouth twitching suspiciOusly, too.
"Wal, reckon I'll try and find your
friends agin." His tone said plainly
81 think you need friends to look afteI
you"
30, there t y are now!" cried Floy
springing to her feet. "Harvey-deaI
Harvey-how glad am to see you y
Her voice broke in sobs. She was fairly
overcome with her long excitement and
the sudden relief of my presence.
katy, dear, don't you think John and
Floy are growing quite good friends
now?'
swell, 1 shouldn't wonder, love-" said
Kate, with little peculiar smile, as. lean.
ing upon my shoulder, she surveyed the
pretty scene below.
There, i'm our rustic arbOr. sat John
Durham-a slight pallor and a cumbrou'
crutch the only tokens of his late illness
BY his side sat our pretty Floy, examin
ing with him the huge portfolio sprea'
upon his knees, and listening with child
like interest to his entertaining descrip
tiOns of the specimens he unfolded t(
her view.
GA pretty tableau," said Kate; "bu
there comes an interruption, N tht
shape of Mr.. Stokes. Come, Harvey; wei
90 down."
"Good morning, Mr.. Stokes" said l
meeting him at the entrance Of the arbor
"you find our patient pretty well recov
cred, SIR"
80, yes; shall soon be in condition Il
hunt the 'pesky millers' agin," John re
piled, with q humorous glance at Farme
Stokes.
"Humph - said that worthy, con
temptuously, sit does seem pity strong
able bodied young man like you can't flint
better business than that"
That's fact, Farmer Stokes" said ]
"He won't git no sensible gal to tackl
herself to his, in a hurry-eh, Mis-
Floy ?" the old man went on.
I'm sure don't know, sir," !" said Floy
assuming an air Of supreme indifference
"Ef he ever axes you, Miss Floy, 20
bid him fust quit this varmint business
You can't make grasshoppers an sic
serve for wittles, as they did in John Bar
{ lists time"
"A delicate way OF putting the matter