The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1878-03-21

( ell. Ntie toeS'h5 80
room for her gloves klttie had eayiy
( tossed away.
ae followed. and picked them up.
And YOU think 1t my duty IN live
here at the Hall with my mother he
said with a quizical expression IN his
hl,re ewes as he watched her draw them
on. -,
4 did not say that, | merely said
we should obey duty's voice" she an
swered quickly.
and you think her voice cos me
here::"
Il did not say what l thought about
well now I ask you, what do you
think"
And | decline 10 nswer Your du-
ties are your own affairs. There,
kittie is calling. | must go.
MAY | not come with YOU he ask
ed as he held the door open for her TO
pass out.
..Oh yes. there are quite a number
on the terrace" she answered lodging
a ball from Captain Lossie who was
watching for her appearance, and soon
the game was at its merriest.
Il declare Miss Herbert, you seem
to carry a charm about YOU" cried
Captain Lossie, not one ball has struck
you
At that moment n large soft mass of
snow broke upon tereS shoulder
scattering its tieecy crystals over her
black dress.
There Captain. the spell is broken"
laughed Ralph, the next instant his
hat was living at his feet and he was
brushing the fragments of Nere's well
aimed ball from his hair, while the
girl sped away down the walk. He
overlook her as she stopped TO gather
another ball and capturing both the
little hands in one of his raised the
other, full of snow, high above her
head.
Now yield" he cried, yield, and
tell me where duty calls or take the
consequences.
"Never, never" she cried as with a
dext3ous movement she eXtricated
herself and struck the snow ball from
his hand. She was off like a shot and
ere he could pursue her he was obliged
to defend himself against Kittie and
the gallant Captain who had fastened
to the rescue. and meanwhile We're re-
gained the terrace in safety.
You v~anquished me most glori-
Ously to day" he said when he met
her in his mothers room that night,
.'but do you really mean not to answer
my question:"
4 really mean not to answer your
question; ask your mother and your
tenants if you cannot decide for your
self"
And your answer would be the same
as theirs | suppose, well | suppose |
must rest content with that" he said
with a little sigh.
one evening not long after, all the
company were assembled in the draw
ing room; it was stOrIning and Ralph
proposed a little music as a contrast to
the outward gloom: Miss Lossie i'm
mediately went to the piano and sang
several songs in her high shrill voice.
When she left the instrument her
brother asked We're to sing, she de-
clined until Mrs. Raymond glancing
up from the card table repeated the
request. she then seated herself and
sang the song Captain Lessie had
chosen. There was a silence in the
DON as she played the opening bars,
some held their peace from p%oliteness
some from expectation, and Laura
from a desire the more perfectly to
witness the girls failure and enjoy
her defeat, for the piece was a diff
cult One. As the rich. contralto notes
stole upon the air Ralph turned sud
denly from his position at Laura's side
and gazed in undisguised admiration at
the singer, for music was the passion
of his life and he had never heard a,
voice like this.
"And in this stiilnessI would ask dost thou
know how to love, to lose?
"DoSt thou know how to lOve?'
Higher and higher rose the pure
sweet voice. holding all entranced.
nv Jtc tOnInIr fhnn lsnl 49,
little passionate wall, and the singer
rose from the instrument.
Look at Laura, she is diving of
envy" whispered Kittie. AS We're
crossed the room Ralph stepped for
ward and held out his hand, LET me
thank you for one Of the creates
pleasures | have ever had" he said
earnestly.
4 think Miss Herbert, YOU have
mistaken your calling said Laura
sarcastically, provoked beyond all
bounds Of prudence by the girls sue
cess, instead ~ofbecoming an insigniffi-
cant, dependent companion. YOU
should have cultivated your voice and
gone upon the stage as a prima d0nuG.
Raiph gazed at her in indignant
surprise.
DO not look so much amazed,
said We're, calmly though the hot color
had flashed into her cheek at the taunt-
ing words. and Laura averted her face
before the contemptous light burn
ing IN the dark eyes, Miss Lossie has
made a mistake as regards my depen-
dence. those who earn their livelihood
honestly. no matter how humble and
insignificant the means, can hardly
be called dependent, 50 | pass that part
OF her remark as not worthy a re-
ply. As regards her suggestion it may
possibly be Of service to me and /
thank her for it,"
From that time a decided change
too place in Ralph's conduct toward
we're, his bearing lost its former stern
ness while he strove by every means
IN bis DoNer TO nrnyenf her FROM fol