The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1885-09-10
Only A FARMER.

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 q TAR easier time liv-
ing at the Hollyhocks than either moth
er or L." she said.
"Why everything need be so hateful,
I 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 /
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
est!" cried Dora, who still trembled at
mention Of her dead father. "We set
tied everything as honorably as posi-
BILE, and came here to live, glad of I'm
Gle Alfred's offer-at least / was"
sand / am sure / was, my dear" said
Mrs. Atherton, with sigh. II am
thankful to have a roof over my head
in my old age"
@Uncle Alfred was absorbed in fori-
culture, and made pet of the place for
years. It's lovely here, l think. said
Dora, leaning to look out into the
bright summer garden.
Il don't care for flowers" returned
Ada, moodily. Il can't make myself
happy with hoes and watering pots. l
did think it would be better than this.
with the Waters place opposite. But
Allen Waters is away, aud 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 congeniaiity and
similar tastes" burst forth Ada. 1--we
taste for comfort and luxury, and l
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-
You'd endurance to Ada. They had
never been alike. 1t was wrong, per-
haps, to blame her too much. Yet she
still shuddered at Adas 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 q
neighboring farmer one day and invited
Ada to drive.
"There's lovely scenery along the val
ley road. 1t will make little 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 fat, lazy horsel There is M
fun in driving if you can't drive in
style. There, now, see the Waters
place. It's oil 1 expected it to be.
Tbered be some comfort in living if one
could be mistress there. It's no better
marriage than I ought to have made il
papa had not failed"
Ard, with Disconnected lips and an
arrogant toss of the head, Ada was
driven past hay-wagon in which YVES
man in his shirt-sleeves.
He glanced at the young ladies with
frank curiosity.
~Did you bow, Dora? Impudent fell
low How he stared Country folks =
sneered Ada.
IL bowed because he bowed to us
Ada. You would not have me repei
such mere civility. He is probabl,
some one who knows US, though we ar,
strangers here.
II detest such people,"
Il don't think could detest any on'
who wore such white shirt-sleves, anc
looked so comfortable under a broad
STRAW hat this hot day." laughed Dora
carelessly. ~
But the very. next moment Ada wa
fhankful for the existence of "sucl
people," for the phaeton broke down
and, with dismal scream, she wa
Spped from her seat and landed anon,
ne roadside buttercups and clover.
Tho mild, fat old horse instantl.
stopped. DoraIooked anxiously abou
Cor help. No house was near. Sh
looked appealingly up and down th
,oad: then oh, gladly l--sbe saw tn