Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1885-09-03
ONLY A FARMER.

Chicago Ledger.
81 don't like the country, and l
e would have come here but for
the chance of becoming Mrs. Allen
Waters-that'S the truth"
And Miss Ada Atherton hounced
into an easy chair, and prepared for q
fit Of the sulks.
Her mother looked up, amused at
the frankness Of her youngest daught.
err; as for her eldest, Dora. she sank
back in her seat with a panied blush
on her dark cheek.
'J am sure Ida you need not cons
plain. You have.a far easier time liv-
ing at the Hoilyhocks than either
mother or l." she said.
"Why everything need be so hate
full, | don't see" gruraoled Miss Ada,
frowning under her haxen curls. III
father hadn't died now he might have
run along for years, until Dora and
I were suitably married, and kept up
appearances SO that we could have
made good matches Now every body
knows we are poor"
And everybody knows we are
honestl" cried Dora, who still trembl-
ed ut mention of her dead father. "We
settled everything as honorably as
possible, and came here to live, glad
Of Uncle Alfred's offer-at least |
was"
''Asd I am sure l was, my dear,
said Mrs Anterior, with a sigh. 81
ann thankful TO have a roof over my
head in my old age"
'Uncle Alfred was absorbed in
Horticulture, and made a pet of the
place for years It's lovely here, l
think" said Dora, leaning 10 look out
into the bright summer garden.
II don't care for flowers" returned
Ada, moodily. Il can't make my
self happy with hoes and watering
pots. / don't think it would be bet
ter than this, with the Waters place
opposite. But Allen Waters is away
and TIE gates shut against us. In
fact. there is nobsdy here"
you calculated a great deal on the
society of q nan you don't know in
the least, y said Dora, returning to her
sewing.
I'm not in the least like you, Dora,
with your notions of congenialty ana
similar tastes, burst forth Ada. tive
a taste for comfort and luxury, and !
could love any man who would
give them. to me. Besides, somewhat
moderating her violence, as her
mother looked annoyed at her ex~
IRENE statement, you have always
heard what a fine fellow Allen
Waters wasl'
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 duh
eyond endurance TO Ada. They had
never been alike. 1t was wrong, pers
baps, to blame her too much. Yet
she still shuddered at Ada's anwom
anly words.
Day by day Ada continued her
complaints of the Hollyhocks. She
was miserable herself, and she Ger
tainly made everybody else o While
Dora was busy as q bee, Ada moped
herself almost sick.
The little old ph3ton which Dora
had driven in as 2 child was left the
family, and, at her mothers SUCCESS
ton, Dora hired 9 mild, fat Do5bin
Of a neIehboring farmer one day and
invited Ada to drive.
There's lovely scenery along the
valley road. 1t viii make a little
change for you, Ada. Besides, Two Q
bit OF news TO llven you up"
Ada turned languidly.
Allen Waters is coming home, ="
said Dora, with a family mischevious
smile.
After a moments thought Ada
rose, arrayed herself in her pre.tiest
driving costume, and entered the car
risge.
"Drlve past the Waters estate,
Dora. What a fat lazy horse. There
is no fan in driving il you can't drive
in style. There. now, see the Waters
place. It's all / expected it 70 be.
They'd be some comfort In living i
one could be mistress there. It's no
better marriage than ] ought to have
papa had not failed"
And, with Disconnected lips and an
arrogant toss of the head, Ada was
driven past a hay wagon in winch
was a mar in his shirt-sleeves.
He glanced at the young ladies with
rank curiosity.
Did you bow, Dora9 Impudent
fellow! How ne stared! Country
iolks" sneered Ada.
II bowed because he bowed TO us,