The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1880-04-01

There'd be some comfort in living If
one could be mistress there. It's no
better marriage than I ought to have
made if papa had not failed" and, with
discontented lips and an arrogant toss
of the head, Ada was driven past hay
rigging driven by man in his shirt
sleeves.
He glanced at the young ladies with
frank curiosity.
"Did you bow, Dora? Impudent fell
LOW! How he stared Country folks"
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 I could detest any ONE
who wore such white shirt-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 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.
"Yon 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. ."Could 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
,ourse."
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.
"It might be fixed, l think. so you
could get home safely; but I haven't
much time. In fact, I'm in great
hurry"
"What is your time worth to you?"
asked Ada, with the air she had once
seen millionaire use when speaking TO
some workmen he was about to en-
ploy. $780,.
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 be produced some nails, and with
q 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 enunciation which
made Ada stare for an instant ;-but she
could see little beneath the broad straw
hat but curling black beard, Il tanned
check and two piercing eyes.
"What is to ps.y?" she asked.
Nothing"
He Offered hand to help Dora into
tic carriage. She seated herself and
drew out 4 little embroidered porte
monnaic.
Il beg your PAL don," she said, earn
cstly, but you must let me pay you.
You said you were in hurry; we have
taken your time, and you have done US
Il great service. 1 have nothing but that
and q ten-dollar note. Pray take it. I
am sorry it is so little," blushing as she
rendered shining half-dollar~
Again the quizzical smile, and the
cyes-they had world of meaning in
tllem, 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 be?" asked
Ada, who had seated herself unassisted,
"and your occupation. You are quite
handy" patronizingly.
The man laughed outright, a 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. a white forehead,
eyes dauntless bright, with scorn and a
smile in them. The phaeton turned one
way, the hay-rigging another.
"WhoeYer thought that he looked