The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-08-09
HONLY A EARNIEIS.n

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"ONLY A FARMER"
81 don't like the country, and 1 never
would have come here but for the chance
Of becoming Mrs. Allen Waters-thats
the truth"
Her mother looked up amused Mt the
frankness of her youngest daughter, and,
rs for the Oldest daughter, Dora, she
sank back i'll her seat with pained blush
in hex dark cheek.
L am sure, Ada, you need not COM
plain. You have far easier living at
the Hollyhocks than either mother or
L, }" she said.
Why everything need be so hateful,
l don't see," grumbled Miss Ada, frown-
ing under her tiaxen curls. eff father
hadn't 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 p cried Dora, who still tremblcd at
the mention of her dead father "We
settled everything rs honorably as posi-
ble, and came here to live, glad of Un-
ole Alfrcds otfer-at least I was"
al" alh sure WIS, my uehf,
said Mrs. Atherton, with sigh. "I nm
thankful to have a roof over my head
in my old age"
"Uncle Alfred was absorbed in flori-
culture, and made pet of the place for
years. 1t is lovely here, I think" said
Dora, leaning to look out into the bright
summer garden.
81 don't care for flowers" returned
Ada moodily. "I can't make myself
happy with hose and watering pots. I.
think it would be better than this, with
the Waters place opposite. But Allen
Waters is away and the gates are shut
against u.s. In fact, there is nobody here.
You calculate q great deal on the
society of man you don't know in the
least, Ada" said Dora returning to her
sewing.
"I'm not in the least bit like You.
Dora, with your notions of congeniality
and similar tastes" burst forth Ada.
GIVE n taste for comfort and luxury,
and could love any man who could
give them to me. Besides" somewhat
modcrating her violence, rs her mother
looked annoyed at her extreme state
ment, "you know we have always heard
what n fine fellow Allen Waters was."
Dora said no more. Her bright,
dark face burned with indignation.
She was ashamed of Ada, grieved, yet
secretly tried to make some excuse for
her sister.
Day by day Ada continued her COM
plants of the Hollyhocks. She was
miserable herself, and she certainly
made everybody else so. While Dora
was as busy rs bee, Ada moped her
self almost sick.
The little phaeton which Dora had
driven in as child was left to the fami-
ly, md at her mothers suggestion, Dora
hired mild, fat Dobbin Of ncighbor-
ing farmer one day and invited Ada to
q drive.
''There's lovely scenery along the
valley road. 1t will make little change
for You, Ada. Besides, I've bit of
news to livcn you up"
Ada turned languidly.
Allen Waters is coming home,"
said Dora with family mischlevous
smile.
After moments thought Ada rose,
arrayed herself in her pretticst driving
costume, and entered the carriage.
"Drive past the Waters estate, Dora.
What q fat, lazy horse There is no fun
in driving if you can't drive in style.
Incr;; now see the Waters place. It's
all expect it to be. Therod be some
comfort in living if one could be mis-
tress 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 a wagon in which was man
in his shirt sleeves.
He glanced at the young ladies with
frank curiosity.
"Did you bow, Doras Impudent fol-
low How he stared Country folk !"
snocred Ada.
"I bowed because he bowed to us,
Ada. You would not have mo 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 i could detcst any one
who wore such white shirt sleeves, and
looked so comfortable under broad
straw hat this hot day, laughed Dora,
carclcssly.
thankful for the existence of "su oh peo-
ple," for the phacton broke down, and,
with dismal scream, she was\ tipped
from nci Sct1 nilu lellucu amOQlB tne
roadside brlttercnps and clover.
The mild, fat old horse instantly
stopped. Dora looked anxio,lsly about
her for help. No house was near She
looked appealingly up and down. the
quiet road; then-oh, gladly !-she l8aw
the hay wagon, the straw hat, and ehe
white shirt sleeves drawing near.
"You have broken down." said thte
owner, hastily jumping down.
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