The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1874-03-13
CUPID IN OVERALLS.
BY JULIA NJ. HILL.
"Is this tairY lemd?n


tain side when a rosy. gleam of light
that carried vague presentiment of
amber and crimson in its trail deep
ened the clouds into feecy pillows of
scarlet and glistening gold, making a
lovely setting to the deep tints of the
green woods through which their
path still lay.
Tessa Travers drew a long breath
Of delight as she finished her ques-
ton, glancing at the same time at the
still figure by her side gazing in such
rapt admiration at the "fres burning
over earth and sea"
"If he was only q geftlemd'aS" she
thought, as she noticed the uncon-
scious grace Of attitude, the almost
perfect face and figure, which neither
the coarse straw hat nor blue oyeralls
of laborer could disguise.
"Did you speak," asked Goeffrey
Leigh, turning quickly to where
Tessa stood switching few dead
leaves from the low bushes skirting
their path.
"It was such a marvelously beauti-
full sunset, he continued apologeti-
ally, as Tessa, deigning no reply,
started homeward.
A few moments of silence, and then
there was slight touch of sarcasm
in her voice. l,
"Oh! l suppose one soon grows
accustomed to such things, and with
you"
"a thing of beauty is joy for
ever, !" was the reply.
But Tessa Travers saw both the
smile and look of amusement that ac-
companied the words, and she men
tally decided to keep Farmer Bent's
chief "hand' at a more respectful
distance in the future.
She had come to this little farm
house among the hills, a few months
before, with the firm intention of
making herself as miserable as posi-
BILE during her Punishment.
For Tessa had been firting-firt-
ing as no proper, well-behaved young
lady of seventeen should do,
And when Madam Campen, who
had the honor of adding the finishing
touches to the education OF the young
heiress, informed pere Travers of his
daughters propensity for fitting with J
all her masters, not even excepting
the grave and reverend professors,
his plans were Immediately formed,
and Tessa soon learned she was
doomed as severe d punishment as
could well be inflicted.
'Idleness is mother of all mis-
chief" and she had nothing else to
do, Tessa told herself over and over
again, as some compunctions as to
the possible damage she might be in
ficting upon the susceptible heart of
the handsome farm hand, Geotfrey,
caused her to count upon up the
broken resolutions memory charged |
against,her.
But then he was always SO ready |
to accompany her on any of her for
est expeditions ready, as he laugh
ingIy told her, "to take a trip to
the moon at half-day's notice. -
"But do you not grow very tired
working so hard, she asked, as he
let down the bars that led through |
the meadow, where great stacks of
hay were piled in picturesque masses,
filling the air with its heavy laden
perfume,
"You should not take so many
holidays-that is, l mean"
"When I have to work so much
harder to pay for my idleness, You
would say"
s'But what if it is a pleasure ?" he
asked.
81 did not know you had any
pleasures that were not duties" was
the reply-a little more sharply, as
she felt her face flush uncomfortably |
hot under the prolonged gaze Of her
companion.
They had by this time reached the
gate that led into the little farm
yard, and Tessa glanced over her
shoulder at the face set so sternly as
the words escaped her lps-words
she might have recalled or excused
but the gate was opened and closed |
very quickly, and Tessa found herself
up the Aower-bordered walk
alone.
* x
"Would you not like the Fairy
this morning." asked Farmer Bent
the morning before Tessa's depart
ure, as she stood rather disconsolate-
ly watching the filling of the huge |
dinner pail that was to furnish the
noon meal to the hands in the fields.
"Here, Leigh" he halloed, as a
pair of blue overalls passed the open
ed door, you are wanted as boat
man this morning"
Tessa, who had frigidly held her
self aloof from all the friendly over
lures of the handsome young farmer
for the past few days, would have
disclaimed all intention
of requiring either the FAIRY" or its
usual oarsman.
But Geofrey, with simple every
we'll, sir" and without a glance at
her flushed and angry face, started |
off in the direction of the boat-house,
and Tessa knew she would find him
awaiting her pleasure, no patter how
long she delayed her departure.
1t seemed destined to be a very
quiet sail. Tessa leaned back on the
faded cushions, watching the count
less ripples that followed in the wake
of the Fairy" seemingly uncon-
scious Of all the sights and sounds of
the forest through which their boat
ghded so quietly.
Tessa had very little knowledge of
human nature, almost none of her
own nature. But she was dimly. con
scious of an interest she had never
before felt in the simple little flowers
hat lined the little stream, in the