Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1879-04-28

lines soften in his care-worn face, and
how happy he was in her society, her
heart reproached her for leaving him.
81 have half mind not to 60, papa,
it seems too bad to leave you here all by
yourself"
But Mr.. Wilson would not hear to
this.
81 insist upon your going; you have
been working hard and need change.
My life would be much the same any,
how"
"You can expect me in three weeks,
papa," smiled Josie from the car win
dow the next morning. "You will want
your little house-keeper by that time, I
know"
And Mr.. Wilson went back to the
corroding anxieties which had made
him an old man before his time, thank
ed God for this bit of sunshine, and
which left its glow in the heart long
after it had vanished.
There were only few passengers for
Baybridge, small town in the interior
of the state, though there were the usual
loungers upon the platform of the station
as Josie stepped out. But they soon
scattered. leaving her to stare blankly
around for the carriage that she suppos-
posed would be waiting for her.
She walked clear around the station
looking in every direction, but not a
vehicle was In sight except a rough box
wagon, with board across it, drawn by
a pair of spirited black horses, that
stamped their feet and tossed their heads
as if impatient to be off.
man stood beside the restive crea-
lures, that yet seemed under perfect
control.
"There Jenny Be easy. Kate !" he
said, patting the satin-smooth skin and
speaking very much as mother would
to child.
The baggage-master was standing near
pile of trunks and parcels.
"Is this your trunk, Miss ?" he said
as Josie approached him.
"Yes 1 was expecting friends to meet
me, but they are not here. There must
be some mistake"
81 know most of the people around
here. What ght their name be p
"Crofton.'
"Why, bless me, you've got off at the
wrong station. They live at North Bay.
bridge. five miles beyond"
when does the train leave !"
Tomorrow morning"
Josie looked the dismay that she Ger
tainly felt at this announcement.
"It's too bad, | declare" said the
good-natured officer, pitying Josie's evil
dent distress.
Then, as his eye fell upon the owner
of the team who was looking towards
them, he added:
"If this amt streak of luck. Here
is John Manning, their next neighbOr.
He can take you along just as we'll as
not"
"John. here's young woman that
got off at the wrong station. She wants
to 90 to Crofton's. l tell her she can
ride with you"
The young man removed his straw
hat, revealing forehead broad and full,
and whose whiteness contrasted strongly
with the healthy brown of the cheeks
below.
81 shall be very happy, if the young
lady has no objection to riding with a
farmer, and in farmers wagon"
The admiration SO clearly visible in
the honest blue eyes that met her own,
made Josie's cheeks redden.
"If it will not be too much trouble"
AS the young man listened to those
low softly spoken words, he felt nothing
the speaker could ask would be any
trouble at all. Springing to work, he
soon improvised quite comfortable seat
for Josie by passing the rope from one
stake to another. just back of the board
in front, throwing a thick soft blanket
over the whole.
Glad to be released, Jenny and Kate
bore them swiftly around the winding
country road. dotted here and there by
farm houses, nestled down among the
trees and shrubbery. AS soon as Josie
got little used to it she enjoyed her
elevated and novel position, and which
gave her fine view of the beautiful
country through which they were passing.
Her companion smiled at her enthu-
siastic exclamations and comments. SEEM
ing to take pleasure so frankly and in
nocently expressed.
"Do you think you would like to live
in the country % he said, stealing an
admiring glance at the glad young face.
"Above all things" responded Josie.
"That is, she added, after moments
pause, "if papa could be here, too.
wish he could be, just for little while
he would enjoy it so. Papa was brought
up on farm, and it would seem like
old times to him. | heard him say once
that no wisha6 he had nnunr left IL -