The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-03-04


dream.
81 myself love the old farm; to me it
is the most attractive place in the world;
but I am surprised that young lady
who has Travelled so much as you have
should find it particularly interesting"
ssYou do not understand me, fear.
Mr.. Chadwick. The fact is I have all Of
nv life been surrounded by so much
tiresome luxury and have mingled SO
much in artificial society that it is a
positive relief to me and affords me great
pleasure to be able at last to live in the
country and enjoy it's simple pleasures. !"
81 am glad to hear you talk thus. |
imagined that you must already be tired
of your quiet life here and would soon
return to the city"
.Oh, no. / hope papa will let me re-
main here all summer"
II hope SO, too, for I can assure you
that consider myself very fortunate in
having SO agreeable a neighbor as your
SELF w.
The next moment the young man
blushed and was silent. It occurred to
him that he had too boldly expressed his
admiration in the presence of one; with
whom he had never before held a lengthy
conversation.
His embarrassment was relieved when
Miss Yoland, in a sincere and unaffected
manner, said:
81 am sure we shall be good friends. :"
AS they were about to leave the or
chard, Mr.. Chadwick picked few of
the choicest blossoms and handed them
to her.
ePlease take these little favors as re-
minders of your VISIT" he said gallantly.
ssThank you; I shall prize them much. !"
He watched her graceful figure until
he could see it no longer and then
directed his steps toward field where
two men were planting.
Mr.. Chadwick was much superior to
the majority of farmers. Although he
had had only ordinary school advan-
tages, he had obtained through his own
efforts an excellent education.
He had studied and read much during
the long winter evenings. Nature had
given him a fine and discriminating
mind and disposition that was proud
and sensitive.
Although surrounded for the most
part by uncultivated persons, he had
trained himself to speak dramatically
and had had the ambition to fit himself
for association with educated people.
He had been adopted when very young
by the Mr.. Chadwick who formerly
owned the farm. The elder Chadwick
had been dead two years. The farm had
been willed to the young man with the
proviso that the old mans widow should
have life interest in it and be well cared
for by her foster son.
The foster parents were industrious
and possessed plenty of common sense,
but were illiterate. That there was gen
tie blood in the young mans veins was
proved by the manner in which he had
triumphed over SO many obstacles.
He only needed contact with the world
and social advantages to become fin
ished gentleman.
When he first saw Miss ,Yoland, he
knew that he loved her. Her refined
beauty and gracious manners charmed
him.
In her presence that which was best
in him was quickened, and his bearing
and address became noble. He could
understand and appreciate her, he could
adore her, but his heart sank as he real
lied that circumstances were against
him.
Was it not preposterous for a poor.
plain farmer to hope to wed this beauti-
full heiress?
Faithfully had he tried to repress his
growing love and to regard Miss Yoland
only as friend. But while he was en-
gagged in his sensible mental struggle
she herself did that which defeated all
of the progress that he had made.
Her visit to the orchard was fatal to
his peace of mind. The manner in
which she disparaged the artihciahties
Of fashionable society and expressed her
preference for simple life of the country
aroused more strongly than ever the de-
hcious hopes that he had tried to put
aside.
His mood the next morning was cheer
full. He busted himself in his dooryard
in order that he might see Miss Yoland
when it was time for her to go for the
mail.
Dressed in a costly but simple morn
ing costume, she came forth from her
home. But when she reached the road
she did not look across it. She acted as
if she had not seen him, although she
must have known that he was in sight.
A lover who is uncertain as to how
much he is favored by his mistress is the
most suspicious person in the world.
Anything that can be construed as a
slight is keenly noticed and produces a
most disagreeable mental fever.
Chadwick felt angry and disheartened
and was rendered unfit to do good
days work.
The next day while he was coming
home from the village he met her face
to face. She was seated in a fine car
rage drawn by two horses that were
guided by coachman who sat in an ele-
waited box in front.
She greeted Mr.. Chadwick only with a