Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-12-31

mostly OF frohcs among the tumbles and
rides on the hayscart, before she went away
to school and had grown to young lady.
IL was terribly hot, and she soon began TO
feel something In tho condition OF a wilted
cabbage leaf
ut isn't SO very jolly to DO boy afterall,"
she calculated rs she seated herself on one
of the tumbles Of clover and pulled OIL her
shoes ard stocking; and then she did some-
thing still more shocking than that, some
thing very careless and very ungentcel and
only relate II 10 show my disspproval.
There was a little brook that ran purliug
through the meadow, and tossing off her
hat she wet her head until hor
curls hung dripping over her shout
der, wetting her dress thoroughly and
then she waded and padded through the
brook like n vefitable dWck rs she was.
1fMrs Wood had seen her the good dame
would have been frightened out of her wits
and not entirely without reason either-lest
Miss Maude should catch her death of cold,
but the good woman was too busy in the
kitchen TO notice what was going on with
out.
There, I'm nicely cooled of now, but
must have drink of water from the old
we'll before 20 to work again." said Maude
to herself, and without stopping to put on
her shoes she went to the well to draw some
water.
She had scarcely quenched her thirst,
when the sound Of carriage wheels startled
her. The well was close to the road, and
she gave quick glance Mt her bare feet,
aud started as If to run into the house, but
instead she drew herself up proudly. II
shan't bulge" she said stoutly, and It was
just as we'll that she didn't for the occupant
Of the buggy had already seen her.
"Quite rustic beauty; veritable water
nymph with her dripping curls and water
pitcher-though never read that water
nymphs carried pitchers--I have 1t now, she
is Rebecca ut the we'll. wonder IL am
to personate Isaac or only his servant.
believe would not object to being Isaac
himself for such Rebecca," thought the
stranger rs he drew rein and paused near
the well.
liam very thirsty, Miss; will you please
give me drink from your wel?" he asked
courteously.
Certainly, with pleasure sir" answered
Maude, her flushed cheeks flushing still
deeper if that were possible.
That is refreshing and as cold rs ice wa
ter, though of course it isn't" ho said rs he
handed back the glass to be refilled
mo, our well is too cold to need ice even
in dog days" answered Maude.
This seems 20 be fine farming country,
hereabouts," said the stranger, evidently
wishing to prolong conversation.
Eyes, believe So" answered Maude con-
fusedly. medltating if it were not better to
retreat even then. The stranger was evil
IDENTIFY gentleman of no mean rank and
what would he think of her untidy appear
ance?
GLOW far is it 10 Linwood?" he interro :
gated again, rs he played Carelesssly with
his silver mounted whip.
about five miles | think SIR" she an
swered
lie glanced curiously and admringly ut
the blushing face half concealed by the
broad brimmed hat.
II wonder If those clouds betoken rain, ~
he said inquiringly, pointing to the cloud
capped mountain.
81 am no weather prophet, but my father
thinks they do" said Maude.
II guess your father Is right and | must
go on or get II wetting." he said touching his
horse lightly with the whip
The high mettled steed started with a
bound, but he held it with n strong hand and
drove slowly away, as if reluctant to go.
The road wound about hill not lar away
aud rs he turned to look back he saw her
still standing as he had LETT her, with her
pitcher resting on the well curb.
The handsome. well-drcssod stranger
sighed rs he glanced over his shoulder, rs
he wound around the hill that should hide
from his sight the picture OF a sweet, young
face, vivid and glowing half hid by tho
broad hat and dripping curls.
"Yes, would be an Isaac for such Re-
becca." said the proud Judge Stanley US he
thought of his grand, empty home, and
enlptier heart.
What pity she is such rustic. How
that sweet face and fine figure would grace
my drawing-room, II she only had n cult
waited mind, but that cannot be expected in
her station. D. but she is lovely though, so
modest and unassuming, how she blushed
when spoke to her. ] have half a mind to
try to win her; II she is rs bright us she
looks, she would very soon be presentable
with little training, such AS most any la
dies seminary would afford"
And then he thought of his lady mother
and proud sisters and shook his head.
at would never do | suppose, they would
crush her by their GOODNESS. Heigho. what's
the use of wealth and proud name il man
can't marry whom he chooses" and hand.
some Judge Stanley wished for the moment
that he was a brown-faced farmer raking
hay, with pretty Maude Muller for an assis.
tant.
That afternoon Judge Stanley rather rs.
tonished the lawyers by humming an old
love song in the court room. They ex.
changed significant glances as they noticed
his absent AIR.
''The Judge is struck at last, sure rs fate.
said one to another.
Maude Muller stood by the well, gazing
after the retreating figure of the dark eyed
stranger till he was hid from her view by IN
intervening hill, and then with sig h turned
back to her work in the meadow.
She thought of her dilnpidated dress anC
bare feet with intense modification. and vel
why should she careP he was a stranger whom
she would probably never meet again; wha
did it matter If he did suppose her as pool
and uncultivated rs her dress Indicated
But reason as she would upon the matter
and though she called herself fool to give
the affair second thought, yet her chceL
burned hot as she thought of the admirinl
glance of the dark, handsome eyes.
well Miss Maude, how do you like be