Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1885-11-19

ietHeu SArs. said to her daugh-
ter.
Poor, young man, he hasn't got a
bit OF appetite. | don't wonder Luz
clndy Is fretted about him. She writes
that he is always that taken up with
books, that she can hardly ever coax
him to 60 about with young folks and
enjoy himself. I've been thinking
Marthy, II you was just to kind OF
make believe you need his help now
and again about the garden and such,
1T would do him a sight of good, and
he'd never suspect it was for the sake
Of his health" and Mrs. Duncan
laughed a low, pleased laugh, at the
thought ofthe deception, while Martha
exclaimed:
why mother! you are getting to be
Irregular conspirator. But am afraid
it won't work, he's $3.50 odd"
Paul Dorsey had been told to make
himself perfectly at home; so the morn
ing after his arrival he withdrew from
the breakfast table to his own room,
and forthwith commenced to unpack
his books preparatory to a good days
study. Everything was at last ar
ranged to his satisfaction, but some
how his thoughts were strangely wan
dering this uay, although not a sound
disturbed the the cool quietness of his
surroundings. A pair OF blue eyes
seemed to glance mockingly from the
musty pages hefain would master, and
he caught himself repeating aloud the
old-fashioned name of "Marthy,"
which tnnly .tnNn ,tcalf A. a..- e
sounds by reason of its connection
with so pretty an owner. Suddenly,
with a thud, the book fell from his
hand, rs, exclaiming: by Jove.that's
her voice." Paul Dorsey, with one
stride, was at the window making sad
havoc of the dainty dimity curtains
with his clumsy hands.
Martha, accompanied by n tall,
stalwart fellow, was passing down the
garden path, her infectious laughter
floating merrily upon the balmy air as
she chatted away to the young mar at
her side, who appeared to be enjoying
the subject under discussion as herself.
As they disappeared from view, Paul,
with rather a blank look, resumed his
seal and sought to apply himself % his
interesting task, but not with the old
ardor did he work, and for the first
time that he could remember, he list
ened anxiously for the bell to summon
him to luncheon.
The days slipped into weeks, and still
Paul Dorsey remained a guest at Will
low Brook Farm, audit becamenoun-
usual sight to see him obediently fol-
lowing Martha's directions concerning
the uprooting of certain weeds, or the
fastening OF some vine more secure
ly about its support. An honest,
brown tinGe had replaced Paul's
once sallow complexion, and the
bookshelf, they had become sec
ondary, a potent charm having
outrivaled them. Mrs. Duncan CON
graduates herself upon her happy fore,
thought that she was working such a
change in her friends son, and Martha
admitted with u slight blush, that Mr..
Dorsey was getting to be almost as
handsome as her cousin Joe-her beau
ideal Of manly beauty heretofore.
The sun burned scorchins hot upon
the broad gravel path just outside of
the farms pretty parlor, but within
that quaint room a restful Coolnees
held sway. Lounging idly in the
depths OF 4 willow chair, vas Paul
while Martha, seated at the old organ,
drew from it's aged keys a low, plain
tive melody, As the last note died
softly away, whirling round upon
her seat, Martha exclaimed:
"Do you know. Mr.. Dorsey, you
haya haap Waltipn unnr uvhnla ypnrp-
ing2 don't believe you have look
ed at a book for two days'-this last,
i must be owned, with a slight air of
triumph as she continued, p%enitentIy:
II am afraid ! have been to blame,
but tomorrow | will leave you free to
spend the whole day with your books,
for Cousin Joe has promised to drive
me I'VE to Dapleson to do some shop
ping"
Hang Cousin joe"
"Mr. Dorsey" from Martha's as
tonished lips.
II beg pardon. resiiy-Ihopeyou
will have n delightful time, Miss Dun
IAN. assure you | shall a-enioy it
immensely, being left to my books and
-confound it. Excuse mel"
And ere Martha could reply, Paul
Dorsey had lett the room.
How queer he is, "soliloquized Mar
tina, as Paul's departing footsteps
echoed through the hall. 81 don't see
why he should dislike Joe so; Joeis al
ways such a favorite with everyone.
| hope | haven't offended him. am
sure | didn't mean to-" And with
rather q puzzled look upon her fair
young face, Martha closed the organ.
That evening as Martha stood down
by the meadow gate CarGssing old
Doxey, the mare, her quick ears caught
the sound OF a familiar tread advaner
ing towards her, and Il moment after
a voice exclaimed:
al am an idiot, Miss Martha, but /
Il hopeyou willforgive me. l~couldn't
bear the idea Of his monopollzing you
all day. | know you could never think
OF an old book worm like myself
still IL have been very happy, and |
forget sometimes tbat-that there Is
such q difference between us"
Martha's cheeks had been growing
roster and roster, while a strange, wild
Joy surgsi through her veins, as she
answered, her toI,Ss trembling slightly,
"Since / can remember eoaslp Joe
end I have been ~playmates, and since
father died he has been so good to
mother, seIpiDg her about the tarm
and in every way, DAT he has become
like a son to her, and as dsaF as a
| brother to me. Dear Joel | don't
know whs, va should have done with
out him" She psGsed; the tears
gathering in her pretty eyes. PAVi
drew nearer, then hesitaUed, as Martha
continued.
"Joc is engaged to my dearest friend
and they are to be married In Just SIX
weeks"
II am awfuily glad-I mean ! wish
| them 10Y, and all that sort OF thing
and Paul Dorsey advanced still near
err the little figure into whose eyes q
sweet shyness had stolen.
"Marthy, do you think there Is n
| Ghost Of q chance for me? As 1t ls my
first attempt a. anything OF the kind
perhaps you will SUM IT UP lenlently,
and make ny sentence as easy 20 you