The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1880-04-22


sleeves.
He glanced at the young ladies with
frank curiosity.
did you bow, DoraP Impudent fel,
.ow! How he stared Country folksm
sneered Ada.
81 bowed because he bowed to us,
Ada. You would not have me repel
such mere civility. He is probably
some one who knows US, because we are
strangers here"
81 detest such people,"
81 don't think | could detest any on, e
who wore such white shirt-sleeves and
looked so comfortable under broad
straw hat this hot day." laughed Dora,
carelessly.
But the very next moment Ada was
thankful for the existence of "such
people," for the phaeton broke down,
and, with a dismal scream, she was
tipped from her seat and landed among
the roadside buttercups and clover.
The mild, fat old horse instantly
stopped. Dora looked anxiously about
for help. No house was near. She
looked appealingly up and down the
quiet road; then-oh, gladly!-she saw
the hay-rigging, the straw hat and the
white shirt-sleeves, drawing near.
"You have broken down." said the
owner, heartily, jumping down.
9th anlv ,rog fTha
coming all to pieces" said Dora, still
trembling from fright. Gould you do
anything to help usP l should be, oh! |!
so much obliged to you"
yes" said Ada, shaking the dust of
her silk skirts. "We are the Misses
Athertons. We will pay you, of
curse"
The man bent to examine the axle
tree. His side tace was toward Dora,
but she plainly saw him smile.
O. It's not so very bad, thenP" she
said, anxiously.
" 1t might be fixed, think, so you
could get home safely; but l haven't
much time. In fact, I'm in great
hurry"
"What is your time worth to youP"
asked Ada, with the air she had once
seen a millionaire use when speaking TO
some workmen he was about to en-
ploy.
Sometimes moro, sometimes less"
answered the man, with the same quiz
zical smile. But he had produced
cord from his pocket, and with deft
fingers began mending the broken trace.
Then he produced some nails, and with
a stone pounded away vigorously be-
meath the carriage.
"There; by driving carefully you
will be able to reach home safely" he
said, at last, rising.
There was something in his composed
manner and distinct enunciltion which
made Ada stare for an instant; but she
could see little beneath the broad straw
hat but curling black beard, tanned
cheek and two piercing eyes.
What is to payP" she asked.
Nothing"
He offered hand to help Dora into
the carriage. She seated herself and
drew out little embroidered porte
monnaie.
" | beg your pardon" she said, earn
estly, "but you must let me pay you.
You said you were in hurry; we have
taken your time, and you have done us
great service. have nothing but that
and ten-dollar note. Pray take it. ]
am sorry it is so little" blushing as she
rendered shining half-dollar.
Again the quizzical smile, and the
eyes-they had world of meaning in
them, those piercing dark eyes under the
hatbrim. Dora felt her heart thrill
strangely.
1t relieved her greatly that the man
extended his hand and received the
money.
THANK you," he said, quietly.
What may your name beP" asked
Ada, who had seated herself unasSisted
land your occupation. You are quite
handy" patronizingly.
The man laughed outright, low,
mellow laugh.
my name does not matter; l am a
farmer. Good-day, ladies'"
He stepped back, lifting his hat, smil-
ing again at the look of CONSERVATION
upon the features of the girls at the
grace and the face the movement re-
vealed.
A kingly brow shaded by close clipped
| yet beautiful hair, white forehead,
eyes dauntless bright, with scorn and a
smile in them. The phaeton turned one
way, the hay-rigging another.
Whoever thought that he looked
like that, under that old hat, in hay
cartP" said Ada, breathlessly. "Who
can it beP How provoking! He was q
right down gentleman, though he said
he was only farmer"
Poor Ada! iAer modification had just
begun. That evening, with silk hat
doffed from the handsome head, fault
lessly arrayed, Mr.. Allen Waters pre-
sented himself in the little parlor of the
Hollyhocks and, introducing himself +,
begged leave to inquire if the young
ladies had reached home quite safe.
Ada apologized quite eagerly, and
tried to be sweet, but Mr.. Waters
seemed to have eyes only for Dora's
brunette face.
He came again and ngain,to the Holly
hooks, and at last one day boldly de-
clared himself Dora's lover.
"You have known me but such a