The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1881-03-02

an arrogant toss of the head, Ada
was driven past hay wagon in
which was man in his shirt sleeves.
He glanced at the young ladies
with blank curiosity.
"Did you bow, Dora ? 1mpudent
fellow! How he stared Country
folks !" sneered ada.
II bowed because he bowed to us,
Ada. You would not have me repel
such a mere civility? He is proba-
bly, some one who knows Us, though
we are strangers here"
Il 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 ph@ton broke
down, and with dismal scream, she
tipped from her seat and landed
among the roadside buttercups and
clover.
The mild, fat old horse instantly
stopped. Dora looked anxiously
about her for help. No house was
near. She looked appealingly up
and down the quiet road; then oh,
gladly She saw the hay wagon,
the straw hat and the white shirt
sleeves drawing near.
"You've broken down." said the
owner, hastily jumping down.
"Thank you, yes, The carriage
seems coming all to pieces said
Dora, trembling with fright. Gould
you do anything to help? L should
be, Oh, so much obliged to you !"
yes" said Ada, shaking the dust
off her silk skirts. eve are the
Misses Anterior. We will pay you,
of course"
The man bent to look al the axle
tree. His face was turned toward
Dora, and she saw him smile.
Its not SO very bad, then?" she
said anxiously."
1T might be fixed, | think, SO you
could get home safely but | haven't
much time; III TACT, am in a hurry"
"What is your time worth To
you p asked Ada, with the air she
once ia 4. krd e millionaire use n spi3
ssSometimes more, and Sometimes
Hess" he replied, with the same
| ouiZzical smile.
But he had produced cord from
his pocket and, with deft fingers, be-
gan 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 a something in his com
posed manner and distinct enuncia-
ton which made Ada stare for an
instant: but she could see little be-
meath the broad straw hat but curl.
ing black beard, tanned check, and
two piercing eyes.
"Wh is the pay :"
| Nothing"
I lie offered a hand to help Dora
into the carriage.
She seated herself and drew out a
little embroidered portmonnaie.
81 beg your pardon" she said
earnestly, "but you must let me pay
Won. You said YOU were in hurry
we have taken your time, and you
have done us great service. have
nothing but half sovereign. Pray
take it. am sorry it is so little,
blushing as she rendered him a shin
ing coin.
Again the qulzzical smile, and the
eyes-they had world OF meaning
in them, those piercing black eyes
under the hat brim. Dora felt her
heart beat strangely.
1t relieved her greatly that the
man extended his hand and received
the money.
"Thank you," he said quietly.
"What may your name he ? asked
Ada, who had seated herself unas
sisted, land your occupation? You
are quite handy" patronizlngly.
The man laughed outright, low
mellow laugh.
"My name does not matter an
farmer. Good-day ladies'"
He stepped back lifting his hat
smiling again at the look OF conster
nation upon the features of the girl.
at the grace and the face the move