Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1888-10-12


lute-looking little mouth. She
wore a light blue morning dress,
had rose at her throat and car
ried a book in her hand. 1t was
that charming little story, "One
Summer"
The lady took seat in a chair
at a little distance, gave him
quick glance, In which there were
sympathy and distrust mingled,
the sympathy predominating, and
SAID, "GOod morning"
"GOod morning, madam {"
"Haye you walked far"
"Quite a distance"
"YOu look tired.n
No response. Tom thought II
that was the worst thing that could
be said of his looks he would be
thankful.
care you looking for work I"
ayes, ma'am," he answered bold.
ly.
"Do you understand farm work p
"Some kinds"
"My father is in need of help
he is away from home for 3 few
hours, but if you are inclined tc
wait till he returns L think be
would give you something to DO
bat perhaps you were going some
where In particular"
"No, madam, | was not, and
will be glad to watt
The truth was Tom had faller
straight in love with the blue robed
maiden, and enjoyed the sensation
and thought at this moment he
would have given a half years IN
come for change Of raiment, he
stil felt grateful to the fate that
had led or misled him 70 this spot
After he had finished his break
fast he told Ruth that if there wal
any little piece of work econld Dc
till her fathers return. he was ready
to undertake it.
Ruth didn't know she thought
there mnst be somethiDE bot Bht
didn't just know what. --i-y
She tried to be very dignifed anC
Very business like and failed com
pletely. Finally she said that If he
understood using the lawn mower
he might employ himself IN tha
way for while.
'"Papa is very particular about
the lawn" she said.
He could easily believe it, tor II
was already as smooth as carpet
but he began his work somewhat
cautiously it must be confessed.
Ruth came out and gave some
little directions. The wind blew
her 1ossy hair about her face in
most bewildering fashion anc
heightened the color in her cheeks
to actual rOsiness. The sight o.
such loveliness set Toms hear
beating tumultuously under his noI
over clean shirt.
The adventure was beginning Il
assume as embarrassing character
he wanted to be "himself again
Having assumed a false position
he found it difficult to extricat'
himself.
Then he heard the piano. Their
was a skilled hand upon the instru
ment, and in a moment, foatinI
from lip and finger, arose ex
quisite strains from "NOrma," Ton
resigned bis position as amateu
q gardener and threw himself dow
under a tree to listen.
Then followed a brilliant render
ing of parts of "Fra Diayolo,0 thel
an aria from ''Don Giovanni .8lhi
she commenced, proceeded with
certain distance, hesitated, tfie'
again, stopped; sgain and agai
was this repeated.
Tom had several good gifts; b
was a good musician and coul'
whistle beautifully. There wa
something positively exquisite ii
it-low and tender and sweet, o
clear and strong, as the spirit o
the music bird.
He thought: 81 am not presen
table IN your psrlor, but / think
can help you, if am tramp" s.
he commenced the aria she faile'
upOn-that sweetest of all arias-
"La ci darem."
The melody, with all its tender
soft earnestness, its slow, SWIM
Mug tones of passionate languoT
fell upon her ear. She tried again
this time be, from bis position IN
der the tree, accompanied thu
piano. Again she faltered at tn
same place, stopped, while be cal
ried it through to the end.
Then he saw Miss Ruth on tn
porch, and her sweet voice reache'
him, in these words, gentle ant
courteous, and yet with just tn