The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1874-04-11

the gate that led into the little farn
yard. and Tessa glanced over he
shoulder at the face set so sternl,
as the words escaped her lips
words she night have recalled o
excused-but the gate was openeC
and closed very quickly, and Tess
found herself walking up the fiowel
bordered walk alone. tas4r
= ** *t*f = s
"Would you not like the Fairy
this morning?" asked Farmer Bent
the morning before Tessa's depart.
lure, as she stood rather disconso.
lately Watching the filling Of the
huge dinner pail that was to furnish
the noon meal to tie hands in The
fields.
"Hera, Leigh" halloed, as a
pair of'blue overalls passed the open
ed door, "you are wanted as boat
man this morning" ,%3 la9 .
"Tessa, who had frigidly held
herself aloot from. all the friendly
overturesof the handsome Young
farmer for the past few days, would
have vigorously disclaimed all in
tention Of requiring either the
"Fairy" or its usual oarsman.
But Geofrey, with a simple
every well, 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 fnd him awaiting her pleas
ure, no matter how long she de-
layed her departure.
1t seemed destined to be a very
quiet sail. I'essa leaned back on
the faded cushions, watching the
countless ripples that followed in
the wake OF the "Fairy," seemingly
unconscious of all the sights and
sounds Of the forest through which
their boat glided SO quietly. e4a
Tessa had very little knowledge
of human nature, almost none her
own nature. But she was dimly
conscious of an interest she had
never bctole felt in the simple little
flowers that lined the little stream,
in the birds whose voices had de-
lighted her during her sun set sails.
"You must have read a great
deal, Mr.. Leigh, or is it the sermon
in stones, ETC., Shakespeare speaks
of?" Tessa asked, as little bits of
foreign scenery Geofrey had de.
scribed to her came to her mind.
Geofrey dropped his oars for a
moment, and bis voice had q touch
of perplexity in it as he grayely
asked.
"Why is it, Miss Travers, that
you invariably associate ignorance
with labor? There is'in my opin-
oh, no excuse for the man, be he a
lay laborer or,not, that voluntarily |
rejects all the opportunities 50 con-
'tantly offering for mental culture"
"Bnt it is rather unusual to find
\ we'll educated Ia"
"Laborer-go ont
"Well, yes; Eaborer for all that"
'he persisted. ~, !
"NIiss 1ravers, / would like to
Ask you q question:. naAt 4
Geotfrey's eyes Sparkled very
dangerously and I'essa had to drop
Ter own as she gave the coveted
permission.
"Tell me truly, is it the notice
'ble lack, OF cnlLuTe- of refinement,
,ou may say-that is to you a la
,orer's badge of servitude2 Is it
not rather the coarse, blue Eovefslls,
he--l.-''A 4 Wy 4,asl wv
"I--I do not understand you,"
poor TesSa blushing in
cry shame before this stalVart
oung tarnseiri,, i, who had 90 perfectly
Interpreted her silly thoughts. ,.@ M
Geotfrey' ssw all the signs OF
tanie and c6htrition pictured on
be face bent SO low over the
Fairy's" gayly painted sides. But, |,
laf Tire, Bep,itsued his advantage, I
nd letting,the boat Drift very much
) itsOwn fShCy, he pit06k ,sbestRo
ttts Eesistlgs hands into h;s own. VI T
ron0ed AID hst eHbd fY9 Vl hn,s