The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1881-02-12

y
could get home safely; but l haven't
much time. In fact, I'm in hurry"
"What is your time worth to your
asked Ada, with the air she once heard
millionaire use in speaking to some
workmen he was about to employ.
Sometimes more and sometimes
less" answered the man, with the same
quizzical smile.
But he had produced . cord from his
pocket, and, with def fingers. began
mending the broken trace. Then he
produced some nails and with q stone
pounded away vigorously beneath 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 a curling black beard, . tanned
cheek and two piercing eyes.
"What is to payT
Nothing"
He offered hand to help Dora into
the carriage.
She seated herself and drew out lit
tie embroidered portmonnaie.
II beg your pardon" she said ear
nestly, "but you must let me pay you.
You said you were in hurry; we have
taken your time, and you have done US
q great service. have nothing but q
half dollar. Pray take it. l am sor-
ry it is SO little" blushing as she ten
dered him q shining coin.
Again the quizzical smile, and the
eyes-they had a world of meaning in
them, those piercing dark 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 be?' asked
Ada, who had seated herself unassisted.
land your occupation? You are quite
handy" patronizinglr
The man laughed outright. low.
mellow laugh.
my name does not matter; l am Q
farmer. Good-day, ladies'"
He stepped back. lifted his hat, smil-
ing again at the look of CONSERVATION
upon the features of tho girls at the
grace and the face the movement re-
vealed.
Akingly brow shaded by close-clipped
yet beautiful hair, white forehead,
eyes dauntlessly bright, with scorn and
a smile in them.
The ph@ton turned one way, the hay
wagon another.
Whoever thought that he looked
like that. under that old hat, in a hay
cartp" said Ada, breathlessly.. g Who
can it be? How provoking! He was a
right down gentleman, though he said
he was only farmer"
Poor Ada! Her modification had Just
begun.
That evening. with silk hat doffed
from the handsome head. faultlessly ar
rayed, Mr.. Allen Waters presented him.
self In the little parlor of the Holly
hooks. and introducing himself. begged
leave to inquire if the young ladies Had
reached home quite safely.
Ada apologized quite eagerly. and
tried to be sweet, but Mr.. Waters
seemed to have eyes only for Dors's
brunette face.
He came again and again to the Hol-
lyhocks, and at last one day boldly de-
clared himself Dora's lover.
- You have known me but such lit
tie while, you don't know half ny
faults" she murmured.
AZ don't care i'll DON'T" he laughed,
4" I love you and have loved you ever
since you offered me that half dollar
30 charmingly, blushing and ashamed
of the small sum. Why, you little dar-
ling, do you know your appealing dark
eyes kept me from meeting q man who
would have paid me 800 that dayr'
!" And you have never got it?' cried
Dora, aghast.
" No; but that does not matter.
have your half dollar, and had rsth-
or have it,"
Such an incorrigible fellow as that of
course had his own way, and Dora be-
came Mrs. Allen Waters. She loves her
husband because, under all circumstan-
ces she finds him q gentleman. And
Ada is in the sulks.