The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1894-03-08
4 RED EAR.

The summer was almost over and
all but two of Farmer AlloWay's board
ers had taken their departure. One
| OF these two sat on the front porch of
the farmhouse, a straw hat resting on
his curly head, q half-smoked cigar be-
tween his lips, thinking over the six
weeks vacation of which but two davs
remained. Thinking. too, of the other
boarder, who appeared before him so
quietly that he did not realize until
she spoke that she was not picture of
his fancy.
a penny for your thoughts" she
said gayly. He looked at her for a
moment, then replied: My thoughts
would not interest you, Miss Lester
Nothing pertaining to me does.
"No?" she said lightly, note of in
terrogation in her voice, and turned
away to enter the house.
She returned, howeyer,in an instant
and said: You are in a dreadfullv
disagreeable mood to-day, aren't you?"
Somewhat surprised, he made no
answer. We'll, nevertheless, | shall
tel! you my news. There is to be a
husking-bee at Ordnev's tonight and
60"
Are you going?" he asked, almost
eagerly.
What difference does it make?" she
answered, somewhat petulantly.
No. he SAID after slight pause
at makes no difference. | thank YOU
for telling me, but | will not trouble
you to deliver my answer. | will tell
Mr. Alloway myself. Good-morning."
He sauntered down the steps and
away to where he could see the men at
work.
She stood looking after him. 81 was
rude" she reflected, but then"
She did not finish her thought but
entered the house. Savorv odors came
from the kitchen, where she could hear
Mrs. AllOWay at work. However, she
did not stop, but went on to her own
room.
Two months before Miss Lester had
packed her trunks and taken Il train
ior Albany junction, about two miles
from the Alloway farm. She had been
there a little over two weeks when
man boarder arrived. He proved to be
former acquaintance and they soon
grew to belfast friends. But friend
Ship grew into something deeper on
his part and it angered her that it
should have done so. She wanted
nothing more tnan his friendship and
though at times she would wonder if
she could bring herself to think of him
in another light. she would recollect
herself with an angry shake and be
more distant and sisterly to him than
ever.
She heard him come in just before
dinner whistling merrily and she
thought: "He has recovered his good
humor. | guess I'll 90 down" But
ere she could put her thought into eX-
ecution she heard him slam and lock
his door and concluded to stay where
! she was.
He disappeared after dinner and she
did not see him again until supper was
almost over. Then as the delinquent
came in Mr.. Alloway said: You'd
better hurry or the wagonll be here
before you're ready"
He was ready, however, and in time
! to assist Miss Lester to her seat. after
| which he left her to her own devices
and devoted himself to Mr.. Alloway's
! pretty daughter. lilly. much to that
! young lady's dismay, being conscious
as she was of her rural Swain'S black
| looks.
The husking had begun when the
| Alloway party had arrived, so they
found seats where ever available and
set to work. DO YOU know lilly" one
of the girl confded to Miss Alloway. as
she settled down beside her, mo ones
found a red ear vet" What do you
do when you find red carp ques-
! toned Miss Lester.
why, vou-vou kiss some one,"
lilly explained. rather vaguely.
just then a shout went up. "Joe's
found red un." and all hands stopped
work and all eyes were turned on Joe,
who stood looking very sheepish and a
great deal redder than the ear Of corn
in his hand. At last summoning cour-
age. he came around and catching Tilly.
kissed her Soundly. She bore the
operation with great compcsure, not at
all abashed by the merry laughter OF
her comrades.
Then work was resumed. Hands
kept time to the busy chatter and but
few more ears remainc5
Miss Lester had gl&uced often tc
where the bear, " as she had dubbed
him during the ride, sat husking corr
as if his lie depended on it. She sal
near the door, but he was on the Other
side of the barn and apparently quite
oblivious of her presence. As she
5 watched him he reached over anC
picked up an ear
< Red. by Joye," he cried and thost