The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1894-07-03

berry paGches ana sweet 6m0Illng nay.
fields were responsible for many Of her
d~eviations from the college course, bat
that the handsome James Francis was
also am active agent was fairly well
known even before the veteran farmer
made his next visit TO the postoface and
volunteered the information; James
Francis an the Fenian air gettin kinder
soc'ble. He's mowin the long medder,
an she's drivin the machine. So sot ON
each other at they couldn't zee me
goin by"
"She's a-drivin James Francis ed
waal ca the mower" laughed Mrs
Forbes. You mark my words. Obadiah,
afore the snow blows the selectmen ill
hev the school ON their hams. Shucksi
The crossest grained old cormorant at
ever lived nd jes' hev to smile seein
them young things 60 by. Lor, they
don't know themselves how far gone
they are. It minds me Of when Jabez an
me used ter come from meetin ez IL we
wuz walkin on air.
You wuz fairly matched, " snarled
the malcontent ''but this I'm thinks her
self Q cut above farmer. Talks of goin
ter college. Pity she wuz ever hired ter
the erik. III they re still i'm the medder,
I'm goin ter hail 'em ON my way back
an say suthin EN- ill rifle 'em. +"
Trust you, fer tibet, yon old cross
patch. muttered Abe, who seemed to
be a permanent part of the general
store. Its pizen fer some folks to see
others eniyin themselves
There You go. you blame old mees-
cheef. I jes' hope eff you go meddlin in
the long medder you'll git yer legs
twisted inter the mower an cut of at
the jints. = And with this awful express
sion OF his wrath Abe went TO the door
TO watch the veterans movements.
True to his Intentions, Obadiah cross
ed the intervening fields, and leaning
ON the fence inclosing the meadow hol-
lowed his hands into q trumpet and
bawled across:
sHull-oo, James Francisl Help so
. at you hev ter hire Fenians?''
Then, without waiting for o reply, he
ambled of, his shrill, cackling laugh
adding to the annoyance Of the hay
makers
Don't you think You ought TO apollo
gize?' asked the girl, quickly regaining
composure.
For what?" He came round to the
horses heads, and from that vantage
point looked steadily into the drivers
eyes.
For calling me a Fenian. You were
very unkind."
IT didn't mean to be, ewkwardly;
then humbly, haven't I made up for
1t since?'' ST. . G. 49,
But ! was a stranger them" insist
ing on her injury. That's why it hurt
me So"
"I wouldn't hurt you for the world.
You know that, Ceciliar.
The girl WINGED slightly. His pro-
n~unciation OF her name was one of the
little things that grated ON her sensitive
taste, but q superfiuous letter or two
lose force when the aggressor is hand
some and spirited That he was both
she acknowledged inwardly and was
moved TO forgiveness The moment
was fraught with peril for the college
scheme. It was receding steadily into
the distance. James Francis saw his
advantage and meanly pursued it.
This is as good o time as any to
come to an understanding. When /
called you. q Fenian, I hadn't even seen
you don't know that / even knew
what a Fenian meant. / don't know
yet, but of this / am sure-whether
you're q nihilist, a Fenian on an anarch-
list. or all three together, / love you"
The horses tossed their heads impa-
tiently. and the man passed his hand
soothingly over their glossy coats.
Lets cut another swath. /" suggested
the girl i~rreverentiy.
Mot another blade" he declared,
until I have my answer. Yes or mop
We'll since you will have il, noi''
"You don't mean III. Say you don't,
Cecilia" he pleaded humbly, yet hope
fully.
do mean Ii, y she asserted passion
ately. Il never meant to settle down on
o farm. ! want to 60 through college
and write A. B. 20 my name.
Write Journee instead, " he said,
with telling insistence. Give up the
school and come home to the farm. Say
yes, dear. You'll never regret it."
The fringe Of elms, shading the brook
ripping through the interval, caught
the rays of the setting sun and cast
them back again like javelins Of light.
The girl was dimly aware that evening
was ON the land. The air was heavy
with the fragrance of new mown hay.
Shimmering banks of clouds sank down
behind the tree tops; the chirping Of
crickets and the farof croaking OF frogs
down in the alder swamp mingled with
the lowing Of cows and the soft trilling
OF birds seeking their nests; the holy
calm OF nature soothed even the unrest.
OF q wavering heart and hushed into
silence the promptings or ambition.
Everything living Ia going home, "
said the girl very gently. Let MS 60.
too See, the sun Ii nearly gone"
IT ann only waiting for my answer. !
he reminded hen.
.Do ron know, Frank, that you have
asked me 10 renonnce the hope Of aslife-
time? Ihave struggled b for d higher
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