Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1881-05-23
s'Only a Farmer .

! OF becoming Mrs. Alien NaCerS-tnae
the truth"
Her mother looked up amused at the
frankness of her youngest daughter, and,
as for the eldest daughter. Dora. she
sank back in her seat with panied
blush in her dark cheek.
al am sure, Ada, you need not COM
plain. You have far easier living at
the Hollyhocks than either mother or |, q"
she said.
"Why everything need be SO hateful,
l don't see, grumbled Miss Ada, frown-
ing under her faxen curls. "If father
had not died now, he might have run
along for years. until Dora and | were
suitably married, and kept up appear
ances SO 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
the mention of her dead father. We
settled everything as honorably as pos
sible. and came here to live, glad of
Uncle Alfred's offer at least [ was"
"And 1 am sure l was. my DEAR"
said Mrs. Atherton, with sigh. 81 am
thankful to have roof over my head
in my old age.
"Uncle Alfred was absorbed in fori-
culture, and made pet of the place for
years. 1t is lovely here, think" said
Dora, leaning to look out into the bright
summer garden.
Il don't care for flowers" returned
Ada, moodily. 81 can't make myself
happy with hose and watering pots.
thought it would be better than this,
with the Waters place opposite. But
Allen Waters is away and the gates are
shut against US. In fact there is nobody
here"
"You calculated great deal on the
society of man you don't know in the
least, Ada," said Dora, returning to her
sewing.
"I'm not the least bit like you, Dora.
with your notions of congeniality and
similar tastes" burst forth Ada. "Pve
taste for comfort and luxury, and |
could love any man who could give them
to me. Besides somewhat moderating
her violence. as her mother looked an
noyed at her extreme statement. "you
know we have always heard of what
fine fellow Allen Waters was p
Dora said no more. Her bright, dark
face burning with indignation. She
was ashamed of Ada. grieved. yet secret
ly tried to make some excuse for her SIS
ter.
Day by day Ada continued her COM
plants Of the Hollyhocks. She was
miserable herself and certainly made
everybody else SO. While Dora was as
busy as bee. Ada moped herself al
most sick.
The little phaeton which Dora had
driven in as child was left to the fam
lily, and at her mothers suggestion, Do
ra hired mild. fat Dobbin of neigh
boring farmer one day and invited Ada
to drive.
There's lovely scenery along the val
ley road. 1t will make little change
for you, Ada. Besides. I've bit of
news to liven you up.
Ada turned languidly.
"Allen Waters is coming home," said
Dora with family mischievous smile.
After moments thought, Ada rose.
arrayed herself in her prettiest driving
costume and entered the carriage.
'Drive past the Waters estate, Dora.
What fat, lazy horse There is no fun
in driving if you can't drive in style.
There, now, see the Waters place. It's
all l expected it to be. There'd be
some comfort in living if one could be
mistress there. It's no better marriage
than | ought to have made if papa had
not failed.
And, with discontented lips and an
arrogant toss of the head, Ada was driv-
en- past hay wagon in which was a
man in his shirt sleeves.
He glanced at the young ladies with
frank curiosity.
Ibid you bow. Dora T? Impudent fell
low How he stared Country folks 2"
sneered Ada.
81 bowed because he bowed to u.s.,
Ada. You would not have me repel
such mere civility. He is probably
some one who knows us though we are
strangers here"
81 detest such people,"
81 don't think 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 peo-
ple," 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 stop