The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-10-05
MARY RAVENRL.

horse against which he leaned. why, yes,
il is rather romantic business, IL you look
upon it from q romantic point OF view.
You're an artist, Ell? Come to sketch our
little bits of romantic scenery? But there S
nothing particularly picturesque about our
mop fields. Just sunshine, ana the eolu-
green of tie clusters, and the curling ten
irils reaching out for something 10 grasp
al. and the air so blue and clear that one
can almost see the straight lines oil tue sum
shine. Of course, it looks pretty to me, Tor
was born and brought up IN 1t; buick
cuse mel can't see what there is specially
worthy of an artists pencll!'
Mr.. Raymond smiled.
DO you see those long perspectives OF
green alleys" said he, with figures running
In and out, and the old woman sitting
among the fragrant heaps, with the scarlet
cloak, and two little t0ddlers at her Ieet?
And wonder feeble, bent old man. with water
cans on his shoulders? Why, there are
hundred bits of genre here to say nothing oil
The background.
And Raymond took out his millboards and
coIor-boXeS. set up an Impromptu easel ana
began diligently to paint.
SQUIRE Dureu'a son looked on with an
amused smile. To him the machinery OF the
great hOpfarm was the real business OF lie.
Artists and such like were merely pleasure
seekers, who dispOrt themselves airily on
the Outskh IS Of creation.
''YOu will find some very pretty faces
here" said Durel. ''if you care for sketch
ing that sort of thing. People come here
from all parts of the country IN h0p-plcklng
time. Gipsies, tramps, respectable poor
workers who don't object to turning an hon.
est penny, Young people who come here Tor
the fF0lic Of the thing, and poor old wTetches
81 who think that every seasOa will be their
last It's healthy the doctors say. AT all
events us profitable. In hop season there
isn't cottage. a farmhouse garrett nor even
barn untehanted. There are tents. a
white sprinkle of them, down In the meadow
by the vines, where people sleep at nights.
You can sec them from here. You are stay
ing in this part of the neighbOTh0od? NoY
My father will be very glad to see you up at
the house If you viii honor Us by becoming
our guest tonight.
And raising his light straw hat, Daniel
DureH went his way, the beautiful. SATIN
skinned white horse following Ike doelle
kitten at his heels.
Hugh" lie said to a servant who had
come down with hamper from the house,
take cup of hot coffee and two or three
OF these white rolls, with my compliments,
10 that gentleman in the white linen coat
who is sketching under the trees. And,
Hughp
''Sir?"
ibid you carry the sardine sandwiches,
milk to the girl ia black?"
The man nodded.
''She didu't want to take 'em, Mr.. Du-
ren," said be. "She was all for calling me
back, but l minded your order, sir. and
made off as fast as l could, pretending not
TO hear"
Durell smiled.
That's right" said he. "And don't for
get the cold meat and slices of new bread
for old Dunstable. He grows weaker and
weaker every day, and there was nothing
but the heel Of a loaf and black cheese
Tind In his dinuer-b basket, for | saw il N.Y.
self"
"Ifs all right, sir" said Hugh.
And then Durell, going up to the great
house shTewdiy noticed all the hop-pickers
as they sat and lay around. under the
shadow of the vines. in the dolce far neinte
OF the noon 1ntermissiOn, and finally came
into the great cool room where the scent II
eheesemaking fled the air. and the Ip;,slin
curtains duttered TO and fro YtT7f7Is Dreeze.
The squire hi4gl s.slIfr- sat there. equity but
content ICED claret and cold chicken were
Oh ID table; forced dollhouse peaches
Tented the atmosphere; plate OF deviled
tongue, with curry sauce. supplied the fiery
element; and delicate outlets Dreaded and
fried in egg, were brought in, hot and hot.
The old gentlemaH's face frightened at the
sight of his son.
1T has seemed long day without you
IL, u
Do you know, Daniel, I've been thinking
all the morning that | wish you'd bring
wife home 10 the old place. She would be
company for NE when you are gone. Why
don't you think Of it, my lad?"
have been thinking of it, father" said
the SQuire's son. But what would you say,
sir, if l were TO marry poor grip"
The squire set down his glass of iced
elaret. Evidently this was entirely new
view of the matter.
"a poor girl, Daniel?"
'Yes. but good girl. father. and as
sweet and lovely as yonder half-opened
rosebud. You will perhaps laugh at me"
he added, ''but have lost my heart to one
of our hop pickers."
DANIEL
Her name is Mary Ravenel. sir. Insver
saw her before this season. She is picking
hops with Der aunt, or some elderly rela-
tive-a pale, fragile looking girl, but as
beautiful as a dream And Love her,"
The old squire nodded bis head.
u can trust you, my sol" said he, land
whoever you choose to bring here will be
as welcome ae the flowers in May"
While all this time the artist, strolling
idly along TO observe the various groups,
came upon pale-faeed girl in bIack-a girl
with large, melting wine-brown eyes,
straight, pure features. and soft dark hair,
overhanging her forehead like a mist OF let.
miss Rayenelp' be cried, in a tone Of
utter amaZement.
Eyes, Miss Ravenel,'" she smiled back
you are astonished to see me here. But
the doctor declared that hOp-picking would
be tile very thing for me- So Aunt VeFna
brought me, and here we are. And ! am
really accomplishing wonders in the hop
picking line! Sit down here and eat some
of these delicious dollhouse grapes. They
are sent to US daily by an unknown bene-
factor. That is" as Aunt Verna smiled
meaningly, mot exactly unknown. 1t is
Squire Dureips son. He will persist in
sending all these delightful things, although
/ tell him over and over that have no need
of them. / believe be thinks l am q starv-
ing dressmaker, or something Of the kind"
with blush and smile. but, oh, he is
30 goodl And like him so muchl Now
show us, please, whatyou have been sketch
ing."
Mr.. Durell came down, in the warm, red
glow Of the summer sunset, to the willow
:, shaded curve in the river where Miss Raw
enel liked to sit when her days work was
done.
81 have brought You some of the rare or
chids from the conservatory" he said.
'You told me the other day that you liked
flowers"
81 am much obliged to you," said she.
gratefully. But, Mr.. Durell. l have soms-
thing to tell you"
Stop minute" he said 81 have some
thing 10 tell you-that ] love you. that /
want to make you my wife. Dear Miss Raw
enel. you are surprised at this? Have you
not seen 1t growing out of MY heart by de-
gTees? Ny father is old and infirm. but be
IS ready to welcome you with all paternal
love, and"
''You really love me2" she cried. with