The Lamoille news. (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1877-1881, 1880-03-10

rigging driven by man In his shirt
sleeves.
He glanced at the young ladies with
frank curiosity.
"Did you bow, Doraa Impudent fel,
.owl How he stared Country folks!"
sneered Ada.
" l 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 one
who wore such whit sh;~t-sleeves, and
looked so comfortable under a 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.
"Thank you, yes. The carriage seems
coming all to pieces" said Dora, still
trembling from fright. Gould you do
anything to help us? I should be, oh!
so much obliged to you"
"Yes," said Ada, shaking the dust off
her silk skirts. "We are the Misses
Athertons. We will pay you, of
course"
The man bent to examine the axle
tree. His side face was toward Dora.
but she plainly saw him smile.
Its not so very bad, then?" she
said, anxiously.
at might be fixed, l 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 millionaire use when speaking TO
some workmen he was about to en-
ploy.
Sometimes more, sometimes less"
answered the man, with the same quiz
zical smile. But he had produced a
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
madesAda stare for an instant; but she
could see little beneath the broad straw
hat but a 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.
Il beg your pal don," 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 u.
a great service. have nothing but tina
and ten-dollar note. Pray take it.
am sorry it is so little" blushing as sh'
rendered shining half-dollar.
Again the quizzical smile, and th'
eyes-they had q world of meaning il
them, those piercing dark eyes under th
hatbrim. Dora felt her heart thrill
strangely.
1t relieved her greatly that. the mai
extended his hand and received tn
money.
"Thank you," he said, quietly.
"What may your name beP" aske,
Ada, who had seated herself unassisted
land your occupation. You are quit
handy" patronizingly.
The man laughed outright, low
mellow laugh.
"My name does not matter; l am
farmer. Good-day, ladies'"
He stepped back, lifting his hat, smi
ing again at the look of consternatio
upon the features of the girls at til
grace and the face the movement r,
vealed.
A kingly brow shaded by close clippe
yet beautiful hair, white forehea'
eyes dauntless bright, with scorn and
smile in them. The phaeton turned OF
way, the hay-rigging another.
Whoever thought that he lookt
like that, under that old hat, in hi
cartp" said Ada, breathlessly. "Wl
: can it bep How provoking! He was
right down gentleman, though he sa
he was only a farmer"
: Poor Ada! Her modification had ju
begun. That evening, with silk h
; doffed from the handsome head, fau
! lessly arrayed, Mr.. Allen Waters pl
sented himself in the little parlor of t
Hollyhocks. and, introducing himse
. begged leave to inquire if the you
: ladies had reached home quite safe.
Ada apologized quite eagerly, a
tried to be sweet, but Mr.. Wate
), seemed to have eyes only for Dor
brunette face.
. He came again and again.to the Hol
hooks, and at last one day boldly {
- - clared himself Dora's lover.
. "You have known me but such
little while, you don't know half I
n faults" murmured she.
n II don't care if don't" he laugh
s. 81 love you, and have loved you e'
E. since you offered me that half-dollar
if ci armingly, blushing and ashamed
IN the small sum. Why. Won little darli