The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1896-02-01

! orchard or the bOhOllnkS IN the meadow, 1t
was hard to choose.
So thought Jimmie Thompson, as hastily
of farmer Thompson's big farm house, he
prepared himself for the duties of the
day.
1t was busy season on the farm, for
hay was to be cut and the ring of the
scythes us the women were grinding them
to an edge on the cid grndstone already
rose upon the air.
II wonder what mamma will say to
J find me late again murmured the young
stcr as he hurriedly donned his simple
garments and tripped lightly down tn"
stairs
Breakfast was already laid in the liz
stone paved kitchen, and the delicious
fragrance Of coffee, mingled with that oI
irving ham, combined to forecast a tempt,
ing feast.
Somewhat timidly Jimmie stole into ti.r
room and took his place at the table. He
! vas an blllN oDii, ull' tItIipN7il ip'S "
his stern mother and his yielding and more
gentle-spirited father with love that
shrank at no sacrifice in his behalf, there
was that in the strict discipline ever main
tanned by his mother combined with Il
naturally sensitive and docile nature, which
had rrplessed our poor Jimmie and given
him an air of quiet hardly consistent with
his bright eyes aud hair OF willful shining
gold.
Late again, my son, and for the thta
morning." remarked his mother, Us the
young man took his seat and carefully
tucked the napkin the napkin of snowy
linen under his chin See that this o!fcnsc
is not repeated, or you may 30 breakfast.
| less. =
\ mutinous lnoi; GarEcurd for moment
the eyes of the youth, and he was about
to speak when Il firm, quick step was heard
entering the outer porch, and sharp
knock SmCte the panels OF the wooished
door
A wave OF rosy color swept over Jimmie
Thompson's sweet face as hurriedly risin@
he left the kitchen to answer the sum
mons.
"Good morning, my darling? My
rosebud hoy in the garden of boysn'
said Il low voice as hasty kiss was
pressed upon the lips OF the youth, and
lie felt himself strained to womanly
breast
For only an instant could the lovers 70
such they were remain in the outer shed
before the stern voice of Mrs. Thompson
babe the visitor enter
1t was a grand young woman who step
ped with uncovered head into the midst
of the Thompson household AID gave it
courteous greeting. One had hut to lool;
on the high brow, the steadfast mouth and
the firm poise Of the statuesque chm to
know that he stood in the presence OF
one of natures noble women.
Her garments, although scrupulously
neat, bespoke the working woman, and
there was that in the clear, sunburnt
tint of her face which told of outdoor
toll.
There was Il brief silence az Jimmie with
. pleading look in the direction of his
mother resumed his seat
Good morning, Nell"' said Mrs.
Thompson at last, laying aside her fork
and reaching for toothpick. ''What
brings you out SO early?'
ooh, I've been stirring since long before
dawn, " responded the young woman. 81
have cut the swamp half acre and am
going over on the beach meadow now
dropped in on my way to see if l could
get the loan of your horse rake this after
noon.
81 shall be using it myself, said Mrs.
Thompson in tones Of studied insolence,
'and if l were not, don't know that
should clre to lend it,"
sob, mother?" cried Jimmie and his
father in reproachful unison, chow can
you"
The young woman, who had thus uneX-
pectedly been subjected to Mrs. Thomp-
sons rude speech, shifted her position
lightly, and while deep flush stole into
her brown cheek, remarked with an
apparent effort at Self-control:
81 do not understand you, madam; we
have been in the habit of exchanging horse
rakes and other courtesies fail to catch
the drift of your meaning
'Well I'll explain myself so that you
will catch my meaning young woman
and | reckon it won't be my fault if we do
not come to a complete understanding be-
fore have finished" replied Mrs Thomp-
son, rising from her seat and confronting
the undaunted girl with countenance
famed with excitement.
The silence had become intense and was
only broken by a long drawn sigh, and
poor Jimmie pillowed his head on the
breast Ct his frightened father and waited
for his mother to finish what she had to
say.
81 think you were around here last
evening, also several evenings last week,
when you had no excuse to borrow n horse