The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-02-20
LORD AND PLOWMAN.

flower when John Constable presented
himself at Brookland farm and asked to
see Farmer WIlloughby.
Father Is down in the fields. He will
not be back before 49," said beautiful
Dora Willoughby, who had responded to
his knock.
Constable took a seat upon q chair near
the open door.
A narrow passage separated the kitchen
from the cool dairy where Dora was work
ing. From Constable's position by the
kitchen door she could be seen as she h1t'
ted about, but, as If this were not enough,
be arose when she began to make the but
ter into pats, with the pretense of examin,
ing the print.
"I am well acquainted with that pat
term" he snid, "but did not know who
made the butter
''I suppose you have seen it in the dai.
ries and markets, - she went on. "Tkere
is great demand for our butter. We
could sell three times as much if we had ii
to SELL"
He learned that she was the eldest Of six
children; that, on account of her mothers
delicate health, most of the housekeeping
duties fell to her share, and he was sure
that they were all done faithfully and
well and that she was the life and soul OF
Brookland farm.
"We have just lost our plowman," she
died last week, and father is looking fot
some one to take his place.
$50 heard,'' said Constable. 81 came
to see about the situation"
"You! But you don't look like pillow.
man." said Dora.
Don't Is'' said he. 'Then what do ]
look like?''
"Like gentleman" she answered.
ST am plowman nevertheless
81 think hear fathers footstep," she
murmured, turning hastily to glance into
the farmyard. "You have not had long to
watt
And thus, for two young hearts the
heavens were opened, and each humble
task became glorif1ed in the light of love,
for Constable and Dora had fallen simply
and deeply in love with each other, and
theirs was the faith that would Withstand
all trials and shocks.
Day by day it was strengthened by slight
services and mutual help, and its growth
was silent and unsupported by the family
who would have discountenanced an at
tachment between their precious Dora and
a common laborer.
For the Willoughbys were of proud old
yeoman race and they counted on giving
their daughter, with an ample dover, to
one of the wealthy young farmers of the
neighborhood.
How John Constable worked under her
eyes may be imagined. Early and late,
wherever hand was required, there was
he, ever ready, ever willing.
Little by little Willoughby came to de-
pend upon him and to intrust the more
important labors of the farm to his super
attendance, and before Constable had been
six months in his service he had resolved
to retain him at any cost.
One afternoon Constable was holding
refractory COW which Dora was milking,
and he noticed that the face he loved looked
perplexed and troubled.
''Have you grief you cannot share with
mef'' he demanded reproachfully as he
bent toward her.
Father says must give definite an.
swer.''
"And is it SO hard to choosef" he asked.
with bitterness in his voice.
"You know there is no choice for me in
the case. have asked for a months de-
lay, but fear it is useless. He would
never consent to our marriage"
Perhaps he would if I were rich," he
said. 81 must consider what should do.
If you love me truly, meet me tonight by
the old mill, and I will tell you my story. "
Dora found her lover awaiting her when
she stole down to the TRUSTING place.
You remember that first day? You
thought 1 was angry with you when you
said I looked like a gentleman. 1t is a
bitter subject" he began TREMENDOUSLY.
my father is gentleman. You know
him by repute-Lord Ernsoourt."
He fell in love with my mother, poor
village girl, when he was a very young
man and took her to Scotland, where they
were married. Shortly after my birth he
was called to his fathers deathbed.
He learned that the estates he was to
| inherit were heavily involved and that he
would be ruined unless he married an
heiress. He was weak man. You may
imagine the result.
"He explained his situation to my moth
er and inplored her to keep their marriage
| a secret, to ignore it, in fact. And she,
poor soul, she loved him, and she set him
free by dying of a broken heart. And that
| is how came to be plowman. Directly
| after her death he married the heiress.''
"And Lord Ernscourt has never sought
you, never acknowledged you as his son,
| although he is childless?" questioned Dora.
Never, although he was aware of my
| poor mothers death. But I have the
| proofs of her marriage and my own birth,
| and I can claim my rights"
Three weeks later lawyer appeared at
| Brookland farm, and it was known that
| John Constable was the heir to a great
| property.
Lord Ernscourt upon his deathbed had
repented of his conduct to his lowly wife
acknowledged his first marriage and insti
| tuted a search for his lost heir.
| 81 trust you will now consent to my
| marriage with your daughter" said Con
stable when the Willoughbys had assem-
bled to congratulate him.
| But he had not reckoned with the Viii
loughbys pride.
| Now less than ever" said the farmer
| f'Dora is no match for you. You are now
| great man, and you must marry lady
| of rank
| "Who will disdain her pIowman hus
| band,' returned Constable. "'No. Dorf
is my first and only love, and
| behold Lady Ernscourt," said he
"You must try to forgive us. We resolved
| that nothing should separate us, and So