Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-03-08


him 'Eben," but Mrs. Briscomb had
introduced him as Eben, and she had
no choice.
It seemed quite natural that the hired
man should politely and respectfully
offer to drive her home. She had
walked down, since the day was cool,
and it was growing little dark.
1t did not seem at all unconYentiOn-
all. either, that they should take the
longest road, in order TO see a pretty
ravine which Miss Stone had described
to the hired man.
But when they had reached the IA
vine they had quite forgotten it. They
were talking interestedly Oh other
topics.
You are fond of teamwork and the
country?" Miss Stone was saying
Very" Eben rejoined with muak
enthusiasm.
F'You we're brought up on a farm?7
she added
well. no; not entirely" the hired
man responded.
But you chose farm work because
you are fond of it, said Miss Stone
warmly. lin that respect we are ex-
actly alike; love it! suppose" she
added gently, "that you were obliged
to choose something's"
''I-yes, support myself" Eben
responded, with his eyes on his COM
panion's fair face.
at is nothing to regret-indeed it is
mott Miss Stone declared comforting
~. Il admire anybody who is indie
pendent and ambitious; they're the on
" people | do admire"
''Oh, that IS very good in you!" the
hired man murmured, tucking the robe
more closely about her.
And | suppose you haven't had
many advantages?" Miss Stone pur-
sued with sympathetic softness.
"Well, I've had-some schooling"
the hired man admitted.
''It isn't so great a loss" said Miss
Stone earnestly. "Many of our best
and greatest men had very few educa-
cational opportunities. 1t sounded
somewhat trite when she had said it;
but the hired man was looking at her
with warm gratitude. "Nouhing is to
be regretted but Incidence and lack of
principle"
'.You are very kind" Eben said in
| softened tones.
The moon was justrising; the daisies
in the fields shOne white under it, aud
the scent of the fresh crops filled the
| air.
Certainly the hired man was not to
be blamed for driving past Miss Stones
| gate when they had reached it, with
| glance at his companion which was
| the perfection of respectful Difference,
nor was Miss Stone to be blamed for
not noticing the gate.
She wondered, when she had gone
! to bed that night, whether she should
not have noticed it, and whether they
should not have got back before half
| past nine.
But she went to sleep quite sweetly
and peacefully. Form view of her
stauch beliefs she felt a pleasant tri-
umph in the fact-she had found Mrs.
Briscomb's hired man remarkably
agreeable and-nice. She should tell
Mrs. Briscomb about it the very next
time she saw her.
She did not see Mrs. Briscomb again
however. Eben came over with the
butter and eggs. He brought them in
small quantities, and came often con-
sequently; and he came when he had
no butter or eggs to bring. And Miss
Stone, quite necessarily, saw q good
deal of him. He came with Mrs. Bris-
combs carriage sometimes, and Miss
Stone could hardly have avoided driv-
ing with him occasionally.
She thought, at the end of four weeks,
that she must certainly go to see Mrs.
Briscomb and tell her how delightfully."-
her own hired man had proved her
! theories.
Eben was, to say the least, extremely
interesting He was bright and appre-
! ciative; he was pleasantly humorous
on occasions; and he was very we'll in
formed on surprising variety of sub
| iects.
Miss Stone pictured a long success
sion of studtous night-viriis She
could hardly wait to tell Mrs. Bris-
| comb.
1t needed only distant locomotive
to bring matters to a climax. Eben's
horse saw it as he and Miss Stone
drove over the track one evening, and
reared and plunged.
Miss Stone screamed family, and
chung to the hired mans arm, and
when they were safe on the other side,
the hired mans arm was round her.
''Will YOU let me take care of YOU
always, Miss Stone-Gcr trude?' he
whispered in stereotyped phrase. Il
know you will"
Miss Stone turned 4 pretty, yearn-
ing, dubious face upon him.
"What will people say?" she muir
INJURED.
Il thought you didn't care, said the
hired man, in tender reproach, loosen
ing his arm.
Il DON'T DON'T" cried Miss Stone.
pulling it tightly again, You are all
l want. I don't care for anybody
And we shall live out here on IL little
farm of our own?" she said presently.
well, perhaps-summers," said
Eben.
what snail we do winters?" said
Miss Stone, wonderingly.
''Well, I've thought of going into the
newspaper business" the hired man
rejoined lightly.
And she laughed in fond enjoyment
of the joke.
The remark occurred to her three
days later. She went into the city to
do little shopping, and to break the
news of her engagement to her guar
dian.
She told herself vehemently that she
did not dread the process i'll the least;
she was certain that it would not make
the slightest difference what anybody
said.
Still she felt little odd as she walk
ed up the street from the station. The