Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1885-09-05

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 road; then-oh, gladly !-she
saw the hay-wagon, the straw hat,
and the white shirt-sleeves drawing
near.
"You have broken down." said the
owner, heartily, jumping down.
"Thank you, yes. The carriage
seems coming all to pieces" said
Dora, still trembling from fright.
"Could you do anything to help us?
l should be, oh? so much obliged to
YOU"
eyes, said Ada, shaking the dust
off her silk skirts" awe are the
Misses Anterior. We will pay you,
of course"
The man bent to examine the axle
tree. His side face was toward Dora,
but she plainly saw him smile.
cts not so very bad, then?" she
said, anxiously.
at might be fixed, l think, so you
could get home safely; but haven't
much time. In fact, Pm in a great
hurry"
"What is your time worth to you?"
asked Ada, with the air she had once
seen millionaire use when speaking
to some workmen he was about to
employ.
"SOmetimes more, sometime less"
answered the man, with the same
quizzical smile.
But he had procured cord from
his pocket, and, with deft fingers,
began mending the broken trace.
Then he produced some nails, and
with a stone pounded away vigorous
ly 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 COM
posed manner and distinct enuncia-
ton which made Ada stare for an in
slant; but she could see little beneath
the broad straw hat but a curling
black beard, tanned cheek, and
two piercing eyes.
'tWhat is to pay?"
"Nothing."
He offered a hand to help Dora in
to the carriage.
She seated herself and drew out a
little embroidered portemonnaie.
II beg your PARDON" she said,
earnestly, "but you must let me pay
you. You said you were in hurry
we have taken your time, and you
have done us a great service. l have
nothing but a half-sovereign. Pray
take it. am sorry it is SO little
blushing, as she rendered him a shin
ing coin.
Again the quiEzical smile and the
eyes-they had world of meaning
in them, those piercing dark eye,
under the hat-brim. Dora felt hel
heart thrill strangely.
Ii relieved her greatly that thu
man extended his hand and received
themOney.
"Thank YOU" he said quietly.
"What may your name 2" asked
Ada, who had seated herself unassist
ed, land your occupation? You arr
quite handy" patrOnizingly.
The man laughed outright, a low
mellow laugh.
"My name does not matter; l an
a 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
ment revealed.
A kingly brow shaded by close
clipped yet beautiful hair, a whit,
forehead, eyes dauntlessly bright
with scOrn and smile in them.
The phaetOn turned one way, tn,
hay-wagOn another.
"WhOever thought that he LOOKED
like that, under that old hat, in ;
hay-cart?" said Ada, breathlessly
"Who can it be? How provoking
He was a right down gentleman
though he said he was only a farm
err"
H..