Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1881-05-23

bling with fright, Gould you do any
thing to help? l should be. oh, SO much
obliged to you?'
YES" said Ada, shaking the dust off
her silk skirts. 1--WE are the Misses
Atherton. We will pay you of course.
The man bent to look at the axletree.
His face was turned toward Dora, and
she saw him smile.
'It's not SO very bad, then ?" she said
anxiously.
''It might be fixed, l think, so you
could get home safely; but | haven't
much time, in fact I'm in a hurry"
"What is your time worth to you ?''
asked Ada, with the air she had once
heard millionaire use in speaking to
some workmen he was about to employ.
Sometimes more and sometimes less, |"
he replied with the same quizzical smile.
But he had produced cord from his
pocket, and, with deft fingers, began
mending the broken trace. Then he
produced some nails, and with a 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 enunciatlon which
made Ada stare for an instant but she
conld see but little beneath the broad
straw hat but curling black beard, a
tanned cheek, and two piercing eyes.
"What is to pay ?"
Nothing"
He offered hand to help Dora into
the carriage.
She seated herself and drew out lit
tie embroidered portmonnaie.
81 beg your pardon" she said earn
estly, "but you must let me pay you.
You said you were in a hurry; we have
taken your time. and you have done us a
great service. have nothing but half
a sovereign. Pray take it. am sorry
it is so little" blushing as she rendered
the shining coin.
Again the quizzical smile, and the
eyes-they had world of meaning in
them, those piercing dark eyes under the
hat brim. Dora felt her heart beating
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,
"and your occupation? I? You are quite
handy" patronizingly.
The man laughed outright, a low,
mellow laugh,
my name does not matter; l am a
farmer. Good day, ladies"
He stepped back, lifting his hats mi
ling again at the look of CONSERVATION
upon the features of the gills at the
grace and the face the movement
revealed.
A kingly brow shaded by close-clipped
yet beautiful hair, white forehead, eyes
dauntlessly bright, with scorn and a
smile in them.
The pheton turned one way and the
hay-wagon another.
"Whoever thought he looked like that,
under that old hat in hay-cart?" said
Ada breathlessly. "Who can it be i?
How provoking! He was a right down
gentleman though he said he was only a
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 seem
ed to have eyes only for Dora's brunette
face.
He cnme 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 little
while, you don't know half my faults, y
she murmured.
81 don't care if DON'T" he laughed,
81 love you and have loved you ever
since you offered me that half sovereign
SO charmingly, blushing and ashamed of
the small sum. Why you little darling.
do you know your appealing dark eyes
kept me from meeting man who would
have paid me one hundred dollars that
day ?"
"And you have never got it ?" cried
Dora. aghast.
"No, but that does not matter.
have your half sovereign. and had rath-
er have it,
Such an incorrigible fellow as that of
course had his own way. and Dora be-
oaua Mro llan Watarc She lovas har