The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1897-03-12

| ''de 1C0lltS nc 100 DC engaged 10 num-"
dear, generous thing!'' Miss WinfoTa'
cooed, taking the sheaf of blossoms In
little while she rode away, a figure Of
fun, with small black boy up behind
her, q basket Of peaches upon one arm
and the roses, safely bundled in paper,
filling her lap.
Rob watched nor out of sight, sing
ing gayly. Then she gave her father his
dinner, talking to him throughout Of
their caller and sundry bits Of gossip
she had let fall. Yes Alice was rather
nice, Rob agreed, very nice, considering
her mother. She seldom talked scandal
and was in the main truthful, things
none could allege against Mrs. Winfold.
But for all her popularity Rob thought
she herself would not care to be like
her. Popularity was very well, but to
keep it one must efface oneself far moe
than was agreeable.
To that Mr.. McGregor answered, with
smile: "You do not need to be like
her or anybody. Times have changed, L
know, but you must never forget that
the heiress Of Roscoe is among those
who set social regulations rather than
those who perforce follow them.
"At any rate, she does not follow
them," Rob said, jumping up to fetch
her father another bowl of cream. When
he had finished it, she led him to a
couch, made him lie down and read to
him until he ought to have been fast
asleep. Instead he grew restless.
"You are tired, too tired to read," he
,o.1 -
walk this morning too much for you?
Go and lie down. can amuse myself
perfectly for little while.
Rob got up, twirling about OH her
toes His ear took note of all her mask
ing. $50 this is what Ncomes Of fall
ing in love with Miss WNQfoldP' she
said mock tragically. 81 ap to be set
aside, done without, as of no conse-
quence! Never mind, siri You may
need me yet. Remember what Nam Lii
"a says, Cow want her tail ag'in n
fytime
"Oh, what wicked, wicked girlP'
the father said, stroking her hair softly.
Rob gave his ear dainty tweak and
pushed him back among his pillows.
"Lie there she said ''To prove
how wrong you are I mean to go all
over the place again. Here, Lionl
Guard, boy! On your life, take care till
come back.
She had got half across the orchard
when the dogs deep baying recalled
her. She turned and hurried toward the
house, noting, in spite of her heavy
heart, the cool, delicious shadow about
it, the orioles flashing in and out of the
leaves, the sitting sunshine falling in
golden fieoks upon the twisted grass
and the untidy stretch of gravel before
the front door.
A ruffiing wind blew from the or
chard full of ripe, fruity scents and the
tang of hedgerow flowers. Rob barred
her brow to it and insensibly let it COM
fort her. As she looked-anxiously down
the road she said under her breath: 81
wonder what else can be coming. II it
is any fresh trouble, think 1 must IN
away, or pappy will surely find me
out
cit must be somebody wanting land,
she thought, still peering anxiousl
down the roadway. 1t was the time If
year when would be tenants peste,od I!
them most, men who wanted to bt gin
following for next years wheat. She
could not keep chem from her father--it
was his province to sag them yea or
nay-yet they kept her on tenter hooks,
fearing that by some incautious word
they would topple down the beliefs sify
took such pains to establish and keeo{
fast.
y ut is odd, little daughter, but very
kind people will try to profit by aneigh7
boris trouble" No, McGregor said Of
ten when he had put their offers aside
''They say you are too much burdened,V
that the place of mistress is too hard for
you. But depend on it, dear child, such
hardship is education, and SO long
You yourself do not complain
have nobody coming between rs
our land. We love ii, and it loves q.
Eth. little grill? Besides, with our 4
people doing so well, why should
changer
So Rob had been nerved to persistl
her brave and loving untruth. Ted