Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1885-09-10
Only A FARMER.

Il don't like the country, and 1 never
would have come here but for the
chance of becoming Mrs. Allen Waters
that's the truth"
And Miss Ada Atherton founced into
an easy chair, and prepared for fit of
the sulks.
Her mother looked up, amused at the
frankness of her youngest daughter; (;
as for her eldest, Dora, she sank back
in her seat with a panied blush on her
dark cheek.
II am sure, Ada, you need not COM
plain. You have far easier time liv-
ing at the Hollyhocks than either moth
Ell or l." she said.
why everything need be so hateful,
1 don't see," grumbled Miss Ada,
frowning under her faxen curls. "If
father hadn't died now, he might have
run along for years, until Dora and 1
were suitably married, and kept up APP
pearances so that we could have made
good matches. Now everybody knows
we are poor"
"And everybody knows we are hon
estp cried Dora, who still trembled at
mention of her dead father. ave set
tied everything as honorably as posi-
BILE, and came here to live, glad of I'm
Gle Alfred's offer-at least 1 was"
"And am sure / was, my dear" said
Mrs. Atherton, with a sigh. Il am
thankful to have roof over my head
in my old age"
"Uncle Alfred was absorbed in hori-
culture, and made pet of the place for
years. It's lovely here, think, said
Dora, leaning to look out into the
bright summer garden.
II don't care for flowers" returned
Ada, moodiIy. Il can't make myself
happy with hoes and watering pots. /
did think it would be better than this,
with the Waters place opposite. But
Allen Waters is away, and the gates
shut against us. In fact, there is no
body here"
"You calculated great deal on the
society of man you don't know in the
least, said Dora, returning to her sew
ing.
"I'm not in the least like you, Dora,
with your notions of congeniality and
similar tastes" burst forth Ada. "l've
taste for comfort and luxury, and 1
could love any man who would give
them to me- Besides" somewhat
moderating her violence, as her mother
looked annoyed at her extreme state
ment, "you know we have always heard
what 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 excuses for her
sister.
Perhaps the Hollyhocks was dull be-
yond endurance to Ada. They had
never been alike. 1t was wrong, per-
haps, to blame her too much. Yet she
still shuddered at Ada's unwomanly
words.
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 busy as bee, Ada moped herself
almost sick.
The little old phaeton which Dora
had driven in as child was left the
family, and, at her mothers suggestion,
Dora hired mild, fat Dobbin of a
neighboring farmer one day and invited
| Ada to drive.
There's lovely scenery along the val
ley road. 1t will make littlo change
for you. Ada. Besides, I've bit OF
news to liven you up.
Ada turned languidly.
"Allen Walters 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 a fat, lazy horsel There is no
fun in driving if you can't drive in
style. There, now, see the Waters
place. It's all expected it to be.
There'd be some comfort in living il one
could be mistress there. It's no better
marriage than ought to have made il
papa had not failed"
And, with discontented lips and an
arrogant toss of the head, Ada was
driven past hay-wagon in which was
a man in his shirt-sleeves.
He glanced at the young ladies with
frank curiosity.
@Did you bow, Dora2 Impudent fell
low How he stared Country folks |"
sneered Ada.
II bowed because he bowed TO us,
Ada. You would not have me repel
such mere civility. He is probably
some one who knows US, though we are
strangers here
II detest such people"
81 don't think could detest any one
who wore such white shirt-sleves, and
looked so comfortable under n 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 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
stopped. Dora looked anxiously about
for help. No house was near. She
looked appealingly up and down the