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

81 don't like the country, and l never
would have come here but for the
chance of becoming Mrs. Allen Waters
that's the truth" and Miss Addie
Atherton fiounced into an easy chair,
and prepared for fit of the sulks.
Her mother looked up, amused at the
frankness of her youngest daughter; as
for Eer eldest, Dora, she sank back in
her seat with panied blush on her dark
cheek.
81 am sure, Ada, you need not COM
plain. You have far easier time liv-
ing at the Hollyhocks than either
mother or l." she said.
"Why everything need be so hateful,
I don't see!" grumbled Miss Ada, frown-
ing under her fiaxen curls. " If father
hadn't died now, he might have run
along for years, until Dora and were
suitably married, and kept up appear
ances so that we could have made good
matches. Now everybody knows we
are poor"
"And everybody knows we are hon
est!' cried Dora, who still trembled at
mention of her dead father. ''We set
tied everything as honorable as possible,
and came here to live, glad of Uncle
Alfred's offer-at least | was"
"And I'm sure I was, my dear" said
Mrs. Atherton, with a sigh. Il am
thankful to have roof over my head
in my old age
"Uncle Alfred was absorbed in flori-
culture, and made pet of the place for
years. It's lovely here, think" said
Dora. leaning to look ont into the bright
summer garden.
""I don't care for flowers" re turned
Ada, moodily. II can't make myself
happy with hoes and watering pots. I
did think it would be better than this,
with the Waters place opposite. But
Allen Waters is away, and the gates
shut against us. In fact, there is no.
body here"
"You calculated a great deal on the
society of man you don't know in the
least, Ada," said Dora, returning to her
sewing.
Pm not in the least like you, Dora,
with your notions of congeniality and
similar tastes" burst forth Ada. "Tve
taste for comfort and luxury, and ]
could love any man who would give
them to me. Besides" somewhat
moderating her violence, as her mother
looked annoyed at her extreme state
lnent, "you know we have always
heard what a fine fellow Allen Water
wasl"
Dora said no more. Her bright, darl
face burned with Indignation. She wa
ashamed of Ada, grieved, yet secretl.
tried to make some excuse for her sister
Perhaps the Hollyhocks was dull be
yond endurance to Ada. They ha
never been alike. 1t was wrong, pei
gaps, to blame her too much. Yet sh
still shuddered at Ada's unwomanl
words.
Day by day Ada continued her CON
plants of the Hollyhocks. She wa
? miserable herself, and she certainl
made everybody else so. While Dor
was busy as bee, Ada moped herse
/, almost sick.
The little old phaeton which Dor
had driven in as a child was left til
family, and, at her mothers suggestion
Dora hired mild, let dobbin of
neighboring farmer one day and invite
Ada to drive.
/. There's lovely scenery along the va
ley road. twill make a little chanj
for you, Ada. Besides, I've bit
news to brighten you up"
Ada turned languidly.
"Allen Waters is coming home
said Dora, with family mischievor
y. smile.
After moments thought Ada ros
arrayed herself in her prettiest drivil
in costume, and entered the carriage.
iy "Drive past the Waters estate, Dor
ve 's What a fat, lazy horse! There is
. fun in driving if you can't drive
We style. There, now, see the Wate
place. It's all / expected it to
There'd be some comfort in living
one could be mistress there. It's
better marriage than / ought to ha