The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1894-06-19

bled. Marjory looked very pretty in
her cool bingham and broad white hat.
She was a general favorite in the com
munlty, though some said she was look
ing too high. The committee quickly
selected her as one to help manage the
table.
The speaker, Mr.. Benning, arrived
shortly before twelve. Dinner was
soon called, and OH such a dinnerl
Only farmer folk can spread a dinner
like that. And how gracefully those
boys and girls served the standing
crowd!
Prof. Atchison had been engaged to
introduce the speaker in the afternoon,
and he stood by the side of the rather
plain looking Mr.. Benning at one side
of the table. They were very much
absorbed in each others conversation,
when some one suddenly thrust a dish
of tempting dainties before them and
said in a sweet voice:
These are very toothsome; won't
you have some9"
The professor was glad to recognize
Marjory, and Immediately gave Mr..
Benning an introduction to his friend
and pupil. The slight flush that over
spread Marjory's face from pleasure at
meeting the distinguished speaker,
only enhanced her loneliness; and one
might have seen a pleased look upon
the c~ountenance of Mr.. Benning.
Dick Hay was not slow to see all this,
and he saw with the eyeo of jealouslove.
Dick had for a long while held Mar
jory as his preference of the neighbor-
hood girls, and he made it convenient
to day to be almost constantly by her
side. He took occasion very soon to
remark to Marjory upon the to him,
almost homely face of Mr.. Benning.
But Marjory, in her innocence, enlarged
so freely upon the broad forehead, ex-
pressive broad eyes and good figure of
Mr.. Benning, that to one who had not
seen him, her description would have
painted an exceedingly handsome man.
These words had much more meaning
to Dick than they had to Marjory. He
thought he read in them a death blow
to his hopes. While to Mariory they
were simply the spontaneous defense
a guileless heart makes for one who is
assailed. Dick would have been much
better liked if he had not been so
jealously constituted and so conceited.
But he was very much in earnest, from
a selfish point of view, and dinner be-
ing over, he said:
miss Allen, 1 know where there are
some lovely wild flowers, on a bank
not far away. Suppose we go gather
some"
Marjory readily consented and they
were passing from the crowd. AS they
neared the front of the stand, Prof.
Atchison called to Marjory and asked
Dick to excuse her, as he wanted to
talk with her awhile. Everybody
obeyed the old professor, and Dick
yielded, if not with much grace.
A few moments later found a mu-
G06A4S AAGC4OSGC0 WIZ dS 4O4" AGCAA
son, Mr.. Benning and Marjory Allen
sat in animated conversation. Mr..
Benning was not a little surprised, and
no less pleased, to find this winning
girl a logical reasoner, and withal
fearless in her conversation. He knew
that Southern girls are pretty, but
hardly expected to find n so very
sensible. The half hour before the lee
ture should begin passed all too rapidly
for him. But the hour came.
For two hours Mr.. Benning held his
audience in almost GREATNESS atten-
ton. He early became so engrossed
in his subject and address hat his face
lost it's plainnessa and many pronounced
him really handsome. He gave the
people wholesome thought food, pic
turing to them just the condition OF
our country and government, and
urged them to assert their manhood
and right these wrongs.
Marjory determined that afternoon
to lose no time until she had brought
her father to realize his duty as a man
and to espouse this cause of the people.
Late in the afternoon carriages, bug
gies, wagons and carts yer seen hur-
rying this way and that, for from the
west blew a stiff gale and frequent
peals of thunder warned the crowd OF
approaching storm. Rapidly and with
out mercy came the storm-such an
one as can close only the fairest day.
Marjory drove for herself and mother,
and they were putting forth every