The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1892-05-06

ing.
There was a moments silence.
"What ye want3' was finally the petu
liant reply.
"Ain't that Joe Myers comm long
by old man Wingate'sf Looks like i'm
don't t2"
Foolish, foolish Mrs. Farman. Wbv
could she not have guessed that Rachel's
longing gaze had been fastened, from her
window, on that tcll-tale white horse
and load Of grain ever since they turned
the corner by the mill; that Rachel's
heart was beating thump thumpl thump
against her side while she answered care.
lessly:
"Mebbe it's. Seems some like his
rig. Then, after bit of silence:
what We want t know for, mar" as if
this innocent ST eech could not stand by
itself
80, nothing" feebly. "Ain't ye 90.
IN t pick the peas fer dinner9"
lhe girl set down her iron with an i'm
patient tt I'd that brought a dull blush
OF consciousness to her mothers cheeks
"ie said ye didn't want none" was
the su!!en answer.
Mrs. Farman frowned into her dust.
pan as she poked the broom under the
9fnat little stove. Really, Rachel
seemed to have no wit at all. The pea
patch stood at such a convenient apole
TO the highway.
Filings didn't go like that when !
was young, the simple woman mused.
'FoIks cs KEEP comply tell they was
t be married an then they was married,
n no trouble'n' 9uar'lin'. IT any rate,
twas so with me AN jeremiah"
This was, indeed, the truth. The late
Mr.. Farman had found most cum.
Plal:ant listener to his tale of love.
Meanwhile Rachel went on slammina
her irons in the kitchen. Neither her
angry sweetheart, driving in unhappy
oeaviness along the dusty road, nor her
distracted mother, listening for some
concllle'ory sign, could know that her
eyes were too iull of tears to see her
work.
Mrs. Farmau started suddenly in des.
peration as tue wagon drew near, uI
got to tram that rosebush by the gate"
sue muttcred in self excuse, stealing
softly out of the door; "I been goin' to
do 1t all summer. 1t looks dretful."
Still she reached the fence without her
shears.
Joe had determined not to turn his
head toward the house; but, you see, he
- had not counted upon the eager figure in
tine happing sunbonnet which leaned
across the palings and peered up into his
lace. 1t had long been favorite Joke
ut the corner grocery, Mrs. Farman' 8
pursuit OF this eligible young man, and
he was possessed of no special fondness
Tor SO apparently willing mother in
law; yet 1t would be outrageous rude.
ness to drive past when any one stood
waiting with speech for him on her lps.
if it was Rachel's mother, and in front
of Rachel's home He must see what
sho wanted. and he must stop old Jim to
listen.
IVY, how dye do, Mr.. Myersa" was
the drst remark, with a clumsy attempt
Mt surprise; II amt seen ye this long
time. How's your mag
shes tol'ab!e," Mr.. Myers answered
coldiy, by no means appeased at this
polite address. lie was not in the hu.
NOR for go-between. "'You pretty
well, Mrs. Farman2"
she chose to consider this inquiry in
is broaiest sense.
"W'y, Pm enjoyim' good health" the
honest soul rejoined, an tn BOYS is
zeal rugged But Rachael she seems sort
o peaked this summer. Don't .a.
aothin' N don't cit 'er nat'ral sleep.
Pm worried bout Rachel"
The lines around Joe's mouth seemed
10 tighten, "Boneset teas good" he re-.
torted coolly and gave his horse a cluck.
10
At The gate railing. "Joe," she said in a
hISb, shrlli whisper, ''wait jest a
mlnutc. want to saY somethin'. Re ye
mad at Rachei?"
"Well, yc know wy, eff be-" roared
the injured youth, growing very red
II amt never been treated so before N
al my life. Made reg'lar fool of like
that! When take young lady"-with
5uperb politcness--"t prayer meetin' |
Ion'rall expect t. see er home. That
Gin't unreasonable"
"Oh, | know yc do" walled the un-
dappy mother, "but Rachel does feel
fearful bad, Joe! Ldon't see wot ever
made 'cr go of that way with Ben Mar.
tin. Most times, she wouldn't wipe Ter
ole shoes on i'm. 1t does seem, some.
times as ct girls was possest."
Joe was not at all placatei by her dis
tress.
wa says he interrupted in n tow.
'rin8 rage, "that you're crazy fer tn
r'atch on account of our holdin' tn moo.
ago on your place. But she says cav.
ody could sec, with half an eve. which
"dy hachel was Iookin'. | guess she
bout right"
NJ
lie slapped the reins upon OLD Jim's
hack and started OF grmly past his
zorro. stricken auditor.
"fhat amt so,' pleaded Mrs. Far.
ian, wrlnging her hands. Then, driven
20 hum'lIating confession by the exigsn-