The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1886-05-13

she had acquired the art of handling
horses. and she had great passion for
the dumb creatures who always show
ed such ready obedience to the tones
of her firm but kind voice.
Mrs. Bond came out for her grocer
les, followed by the young men. Grace
Lovejoy, girl of about twenty. with
soulful, intelligent dark eyes, a wild
rose complexion, and perfect form,
though plump as quail, bowed grace
fully as Mrs. Bond presented the men.
Ernest requested the privilege of
taking the horses to the stable. while
Darktield escorted her to the house.
Almost any other young lady would
have accepted the offer, But Grace
Lovejoy did not. She thanked him in
way that made his heart teat faster,
and red glow mount to his checks,
but assured him that he had been alb
sent SO long that he would be sure to
get them in the wrong stalls and hang
the harness on the wrong pegs, and
thus occasion Farmer Bond much an
noyance when he came in from the
field.
So the young men were obliged to
see ''Gloveless Oracle little fat brown
hands lead of the team" to the stable.
Perfectly lovely in form and feature,
but such shocking taste!' said Mr..
Darktield within himself.
Shortly after, Grace joined them in
the parlor. She was thoroughly at
ease. and conversed with perfect grace
You are not afraid of animals, it
appears, Miss Lovejoy?' said Dark
field.
"Afraid?" and she laughed at the
idea. ''Why, the dear creatures are
more human than many people,
"How did you learn so much about
dumb animals, if you will pardon the
inquiry? You are certainly not coun-
try bred,' pursued the city man.
''Oh, yes. l AM, and am proud to
own it. learned all about horses and
how to manage them on my father
farm. The pleasure of my stay at Lo-
Gust Glade is enhanced by the privilege
afforded me of being able to go among
the stock to my hearts content an
swered Grace Lovejoy, smilingly
What perverted tastes this country
girl must possess, and she so lovely,
A few evenings after that. the digni-
tied city man was quite shocked when
Miss Lovejoy, equipped with milking
pail, started started for the COW lot to
help with the milking.
Mrs. Bond had told her she should
not perform such work. For reply
Grace had given Il merry laugh, and
snatching one of the pals, she hurried
out after Janet.
She gave the young men one of her
pleasant smiles as She passed them in
the grape ;srbor where they were re-
calling themselves with some of the de-
licious purple fruit. She paused a mo-
ment to admire some delicate primroses
that grew by the path. She was out OF
sight, but not out of hearing.
"Well, if that isn't too genuinely
country bred for my use,' she. heard
Darktield say.
what has provoked your criticism,
my friend?' asked young Bond.
Ernest Bond was used to Darkfield' s
constant fault-fnding with everything,
and when he transferred the force OF
that habit to the customs of country
people, he bore with it in perfect good
humOr.
II cannot understand how lady OF
Miss Lovejoy's manners and education
can stoop to do a servants work. The
idea of lady who performs on the
piano and entertains polished company
going out to the stock-yard and doing
work that will surely result in harden
ing and darkening the hands, is very
revolving said Darkfcld.
II suppose it is just one of Miss
Lovejoy's impulses of kindness to help
Janet with the milking," replied
Earnest.
''Impulses of nonsense!' exclaimed
his friend. "Who would want q
woman actuated by such impulses:
She is too rural
Whether Grace Levejoy was too ru.
rural or not, Darktield seemed to have
forgotten what he had said to that eff.
feet as the weeks sped on and found
him still very willing recipient of the
Inequalities of Locust Glade.
He had criticised her at first, called
her gloveless nymph. and masculine
because she could hitch and unhitcl
horses and milk COWS; but as days
gave place to weeks, and he was
thrown more in her company. lik.
Earnest Bond he fell nnder the swee,
spell of her most loveable disposition
He would supply her with autumn
leaves from the neighboring woods
ferns and bright berries from the hills
and curious pebbles from the brool
that stole so unsteady through thu
broad meadow Of Locust Glade farm
While L arkield offered Miss Love
Joy every attenti IN, young Bond wor
shipped this fair girl, who seemed t,
hold superior talent for managing bi
peds and quadrupeds, But his wor
ship was secret; nor did Grace dream O
his attachment.
One day Darktield was walking hom
from the school with Miss Loyeioy
carrying her books and the stra,
basket in which she carried he
luncheon. He had been telling he
of bis beautiful city home, and sayin
that all it needed to give it an air q
completeness was refined littl
| woman.
Grace instinctively knew what wa
coming; aud she said not a word
But when Darkfield began pleadin
for her love and asking her to MARI
him, she recovered her speech.
mo, Mr.. Darktield, I can neve
love you. Beside, l am too countr
bred to marry a city man.
The last sentence she uttered with
tinge of sarcasm in her voice which h
was quick to detect, and to remembe
the cause.
DO not spurn me for thoughtles
criticism he implored.
II do not. You unknowingly vi
tered TRUTH am too rural.
''Oh. Grace, forgive me!''
II do forgive you, Mr.. Darkfielt
hoping you have learned that cour
try girl cannot entertain company an
teach only, but she can also manag
horses and milk cows when necessary
Say no more about it, please, and d
not refer to this matter again. 1t wi
be wasting time,'' was the practic.
advice Grace gave him.
They walked in silence down the Il
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