The Worthington advance., 1878-07-11

"Oh, it didn't require any great exer-
else of brilliance for that," responded
Barbara with little nod Of the head.
II know Squire Dallas has got new
hired man; and if you're not he, who
are you9"
"That's the question" said the stranger
gravely. .. 49,. -,
But we mustn't stand talking here"
went on Barbara, in a business-like soft
of way. "Take the basket and 90 to
picking strawberries just as fast as ever
| you can, because we're to have company
at our house-l'm Barbara Wylde, you
know, young man-and I must get back
! with the berries for desert as quickly as
possible"
| "All right,' said the stranger; " I'm
tolerb!y quick at this sort Of thing, be-
| lieve."
II hope you are," said Bsrbara--in-
tent on extracting Tiny rose-pricker
from tho point of her stained forehnger
-" and at other things to. Because, if
you're not, Squire Dallas won't keep
you." ......
"Ne won't eh?"
Barbara shook her head. '.The last
man went away because he couldn't en-.
dure the squires driving ways,'' said she.
| "Oh, was so sorry! He was nice. lie
nsed to lend me books and things over
the fence. and he taught the district school
| in the winters. fused often to come here
and talk with him over the stone wall,
because, you see, it's lonesome up ut the
house if do have two grown sisters.
Lisette is cross with me if ask to bor-
row any of her books. she has dreadful
temper, has our Lisette-and Maude is
too intellectual to trouble herself about q
slip of a girl like me. Grown sisters are
DREADFUL" with a solemn shake OF tic
head.
"And l suppose you are not grown
said Squire Dallass hired man, with
curious CLEAN of amusement around the
corners of his mouth.
"No,' said Barbara, II am only sixteen,
and haven't got trains to my dresses vet.
But perhaps when the girls get married,
and one Of them is sure to marry this Cap
tain Severn-Oh, take care, you're tipping
| all the berries out on upon the grass !!
Squire Dallas won't keep you week if
you're as clumsy as that"
But the hired man luckily succeeded in
righting the basket before its crimson
contents were irretrievably lost.
Its all right" said he, see how rapid
ly it is filling up. But suppose this Cap
tain-I forget what you said his name
wass''
"You mustn't forget things" said
Barbara. esquire Dallas never will be
suited with that. He's very particu-
lar old gentleman. mention these
things you know'-with an air Of mild
patronage-"because you seem like a
nice, respectable young man, and I
should like you to keep the place."
II am much obliged to you" said the
stranger, hurriedly putting strawberry
into his mouth.
"Now you are eating the Strawberries"
said Bal bara, severely. "You shouldn't
do that"
''One or. two is of no consequence"
apol"gized Squire Dallas's hired man.
but l was going to say, suppose this
company gentleman"
s'Captain Severn, his name is," inter-
posed Barbara.
"Yes-suppose that Captain Severn
shouldn't fall in love with either of your
grown sisters?"
Then he'd BE- very great disappoint-
ment," cried out Barbara. Sd ,caus
Lisette is six -and-twenty, and Maude
says she'll cut her throat sooner than be
an old maid.'
"He might fall in love with you," sug-
gested the young man, regarding his
pretty companion with sidelong glance
from beneath bis long .ashes.
"With me!' repeated Barbai. Me!
"a little girl that wears dresses without
trains, and isn't out Of he, scales yet now
tell you what, young man, you are talking
a great deal too much and working a
great deal to little. Perhaps, if you're
very smart with berries, I'll bring you one
Of Phillis's tarts. and put it on The stone
ence tonight. Phillis does make the
deliciousest strawberry tarts!''
That would be delightful" said the
stranger, promptly.
Barbara gave scrutinizing glance into
the berry basket.
81 begin to think we've got almost
enough" said she.
"Not yet,' pleaded her companion.
"Yes," nodded Barbara. And man.
ma will be in hurry, end Maude will
scold dreadfu'ly if I'm not there in time
to do her back hair.
"Itstrickes me-" said the stranger, with
half smile, "that you're q good deal
like Cinderella in the story books.
Barbara considered the matter for a
second or two.
$50 I am," said she. II never
thought about it before; but do believe
am little like Cinderella. But dear
me ! there is no glass slipper for me. And
as for you young man." relapsing all al
once irte the severe Mentor again." you
had better get back as fast as possible to
your work; and don't let Squire Dallas
catch you lettering again, if you've
any REGARD for your place.
| The stranger stood with doffed cap and
attitude of chivalrous attention.
but you'll not forget the strawberry
tart?" said he.
Certainly not: If once l get old
Phillis's back turned long enough ia
steal it out of the milk-room," said Bar.
bara.
'And off she tripped, with rosy stained
lips, golden hair floating recklessly in
the wind, and light elastic feet bowing
down the buttercups and red clover a
she went.
''Dear me, chile," said Pnillis, as sht
came into the kitchen, rosy and breath
less with the haste she had made, "what t
time you's ben!'
Mot half an hour" cried Barbara
fllneing away her hat, and splashing he1
face with cool water out Of the bucket
Has he come, P..illis?"
! "De company young man, missS" sale
Ph:liis. "No, he amt. An Miss Lisett'
she's a-scoldln' cause you amt ben to yr
range de roses for de big bokay in th'
middle ob de table; an Miss Maudc sh'
, done can't fix her hair to suit her; an
, dar's de insists callin' now. Run, Mis-
Barby, rup''
"There, mamma, 1 told you sol" sale
4 A.