The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-09-14

| was quite WHltS anu ms gE1l0y nanQs WEI
made. She was wondering whether ht
would be affronted if she said in her polft
est way 81 beg your pardon, but do you
know you have quite accidentally eoi
something on your face?' and offer hel
handkerchief, which of course he would
decline, when her eye fell on the steam en-.
CINE.
How oddl Do you use that on the
farm
No-he smiled here. the srnudze accent
ing it, and setting off his white teeth In a
ChrBty minstrel fashion that e1asperated
her-no. Although it could be used and
had been. But it was his first effort, made
two years ago, when he was younger and
more inexperienced 1t was q rather rough
thing, she could zee, but he had to make II
at odd times with what iron he could pick
up or pay for, and at different FORCES where
he worked.
She begged his pardon-wheret-
Where he worked.
All, then he was the machinist or en-
gineer heret
No, he worked here just like the others,
only he was allowed 10 put up a forge
while the grain was green, and have his
bench, in consideration of the odd Jobs he
could do in the way OF mending tools, ETC.
There was a heap of mending and welding
to do-she had no idea how quickly agri-
cultural machines got out of order. He
had done much Of his work on the steam
engine on moOnlit nights. Yes; she had
no idea how perfectly clear and bright it
was here in the valley on such nights
| although of course the shadows were very
dark, and when be dropped a screw or a
nut it was difficult to find. He had worked
/ there because it saved time and because il
| didn't cost anything, and he had nobody
to look on or interfere with him No; it
| was not lonely: the coyotes and wild cats
sometimes came very near, but were always
more surprised and frightened than be
was, and once a horseman who had strayed
off the distant road yonder mistook him
| for an animal and shot at him twice,
| He told all this with such freedom from
| embarrassment and with such apparent
Inconsistencies Of the blue eyes that were
| following him and the light, graceful fig
ure-which was so near his own that in
some Of his gestures his grimY hands al
most touched its delicate garments-that.
! accustomed as she was to a certain mascu-
line alteration in her presence, she was
greatly amused by his naive acceptance of
her as an equal. Suddenly looking frank
ly in her face he said
"Tll show you a secret if you care to
see it."
Nothing would please her more.
He glanced hurriedly around, took kew
from his pocket and unlocked the paddock
that secured the closet she had noticed.
Then reaching within with infinite care
he brought out a small mechRnical model
There's an invention of my own A
reaper and thrasher combined. I'm going
to have it patented and have big one
made from this model. This will work, as
you See"
he then explained to her with great pre-
cision how as it moved over the field the
double operation was performed by the
same motive power. That it would be
saving of a certain amount Of labor and
time which she could not remember. She
did not understand a word of his explana-
tions; she saw only clean and pretty. but
complicated, toy that under the manipuIa-
tion of his griny fingers, ratified a number
of frail like slaves and worked a number
of wheels and drums, yet there was no in
dication of her ignorance in her sparkling
eyes and smiling, breathless attitude. Per
maps she was interested in his own absorb
ton; the revelation of his preoccupation
with this model struck her as If he had
made her a confidant of some boyish pas
sion for one of her own sex, and she re-
garded him with the same sympathizing
superiority.
you will make fortune out of it." she
said pleasantly.
Well, he might make enough to be able
to go on with some other inventions he
had in his mind. They cost money and
time, no matter how careful one was.
This was another interesting revelation
to the young girl. He not only did not
seem to care for the profit his devotion
brought him, but even his one beloved
ideal might be displaced by another. So
like man after all.
Her reflections were broken upon by the
sound of voices. The young man carefully
replaced the model in its closet with a
parting glance, as if he was closing a
shrine, and said There comes the wagon"
The young girl turned to meet the men,
who were dragging it from the road with
the half complaceHt air Of having been vic |
torious over their late rude abandonment, |
bat they did not seem to notice it or to be !
surprised at her companion, who quickly |
vehicle with workmanlike deliberation.
Il hope you viii be able TO do something |
with e." she said sweetly, appealing direct |
ly to him. Il should thank you so much" /
He djd not reply. Presently he looked up /
to the man who had brought her 20 the /
shanty. ana said: 1.-The axls's strained, but /
its safe for five or six mikes more of this .
road. PHI put the wheel on easily" He /
nd cyiar - or hav-
tinued:
You might send her on by the cart"
pray don't trouble yourselves" inter
rupted the young girl with a pink uprising
in her cheeks, Il shall he quite satisfied .
with the buggy as it stands" Send -her"
on in the cart! Indeed Really they were
a rude set-aIl Of them
Without taking the slightest notice Of
her remark the man replied gravely to the
yoang mechanic. Yes, but Wen he want
ing the cart before ii can get back from
taking her"
Her" againl Il assure you the buggy
will serve perfectly velk-if this-gentle-
man-wil only he kind enough to put on
the wheel again, y she returned hotly.
The Young mechanic at once set to work.
Tn. young girl walked spars silently IN
IL the wheel was restored to its axle. But
o her surprise a different horse was led
Onward to be hsrnsssed.
I'VE thought your horse wasn't safe in
'ase of another accident" said the first
nan, with the same smileless considera-
ion. This one wouldn't cut up If he was
larnessed to an earthquake or a worse
lriver thSn you've got
1t occurred 10 her instantly that the
more obvious remedy OF sending another
lriveT had been already discussed and re-