Waterbury evening Democrat., 1890-11-01
MARY RAVENEL.
An Heiress Finds a Lover in the
 Hop Fields.

p-plcklngT Salo young Durell, as he took a rosy August apple from his pocket and fed it leisurely to the beau tiful white horse against which he leaned. Why, yes, it IS rather a TO- mantle business, if you look upon it from romantic point of view. You're an art lst, eh? Come to sketch our little bits of rustic scenery? But there's nothing particularly picturesque about our hop fields. Just sunshine and the gold green of the clusters, and the curling tendrils reaching out for something to grasp it, and the air so blue and clear that one can almost see the straight lines of the sunshine. Of course, it looks pretty to me, for was born and brought up in it-but-excuse mel can't see what there is specially worthy of an artists pencil?"
 Mir. Raymond smiled.
 "Do you see those long perspectives of green alleys?" said he, with the figures all running in and out? And the old woman sitting among the fra grant heaps, with the scarlet cloak and the two little toddlers at her feet? And yonder feeble, bent old man, with water cans on his shoulders? Why, there are hundred bits of genre here, to say noth- Ing O1 Cue DaCkgrOunQ.
 And Raymond took out his mill boards and color boxes, set up an impromptu eassn fRS SfgsRR s5GefFK s6G fFGoKeG t on with amused smile. To him the machinery of the great hop farm was-the real busi- ness of life. Artists and such like were merely pleasure-seekers who disported themselves airly along the outskirts of creation.
 You will find some very pretty faces here," said Durell, eff you care for sketching that sort of thing. People come here from all parts of the country In hop-picking time. Gypsies, tramps, respectable poor workers who don't ob- iect to turning an honest penny, young people who como here for the frolic of the thing, and poor old wretches who think every season will be their last. It's healthy, the doctors say. At all events It's profitable. In hop season there isn't 8 cottage, farmhouse garret, nor even barn untenanted. There are tents, a white sprinkle of them, down in the meadow by the vines, where people sleep at nights. You can see them from here. You are staying in this part of the neighborhood? No? My father will be very glad to see you up at the house, If you will honor us by becoming our guest tonight"
 And raising his light straw hat, Daniel Durell went his way, the beau tiful, satin-skinned white horse follow ing, like docile kitten, at his heels.
 Hugh" he said to a servant who had just come down with hamper from the house, take cup of hot coffee and two or three of these white rolls, with my compliments, to that gentleman in the linen coat who is sketching under the tree. And Hughl'
 "Sir?"
 "Did you carry the sardine-sandwiches and the basket of apricots and the fresh milk to the young girl in black?"
 The man nodded.
 eT"She didn't want to take 'em, Mir. Daniel" said he. "She was all for call ing me back. But minded your order, sir, and made of as fast as I could, pre- tending not to hear"
 Durell smiled. That's right" said he. "And don't forget the cold meat and slices of new bread for old Dun- stable. He grows feebler and feebler every day, and there was nothing but the heel of a loaf and black cheese rind in his dinner-basket, for saw 1t myself"
 "It's all right, sir," said Hugh.
 And then Durell, going mp to the Great House. shrewdly noting all the hop-pickers as they sat and lay around, under the shadow of the vines, in the dolce Jar nients of the noon intermis- sion. finally came into the great, cool room, where the scent of cheese-making filled the air, and the muslin curtains 6uttered to and fro in the breeze.
 The squire himself sat there, gouty, but content Iced claret and cold chicken were on the table; forced hot house peaches scented the atmospherei plate of deviled tongue, with curry sauce, supplied the fiery element, and delicate outlets, breaded and fried in egg. wero brought in, hot and hot The old gentlemanB face frightened at the sight of his son.
 "It has seemed Q long day without