The Louisiana populist., 1898-02-11

you think of it, my lad?"
81 have been thinking of it, father, :"
said the squire's son. ''But what
would you'say, sir, if were to marry
poor girl?"
The squire set down his cup of iced
tea. Evidently this was entirely anew
view of the matter.
ga poor girl, Daniel?"
eyes, but poor girl, father, and as
sweet and lovely as yonder half.opened
rosebud. You will perhaps laugh at
ME" he added, "but / have lost my
heart to one of our hop-pickers.
''Danielw
''Her name is Mary Ravenel, sir. I
never saw her before this season. She
is picking hops with her aunt, or some
elderly relative-a pale, fragile look
ing girl, but as beautiful as a dream.
And I-love her."
The old squire shook his head.
II can trust you, my son." said he,
"and whoever you choose to bring
here will be as welcome as the flowers
in May"
While all this time the artist, stroll
ing idly along to observe the various
groups, came upon pale faced girl
in black-a girl with large, melting,
wine brown eyes, straight pure
features and soft dark hair, overhang-
ing her forehead like mist of Jet.
'Miss Ravenel," he cried, in tone
of utter amazement.
eyes, Miss Rayenel,'" she smiled
back. "You are astonished to see me
here. But the doctor declared that
hop-picking would be the very thing
for me. So Aunt Verna brought me,
and here we are. And am really ac-
complishing wonders in the hop-pick-
ing line! Sit down here and eat some
OF these delicious hothouse grapes.
They are sent to us daily by an un-
known benefactor. That is" as Aunt
Verna smiled meaningly, "not exactly
| unknown. 1t is Squire Durell's son.
He will persist in sending all these
delightful things, although I tell him
over and over, that have no need of
them. / believe he thinks 1 am a
starving dressmaker, or something of
the kind" with blush and smile.
"But, oh, he is SO good! And / like
him so much! Now show us, please,
what you have been sketching."
Mr.. Durell came down, in the warm,
red glow of the summer sunset, to the
willow-shsded curve in the river where
Miss Ravenel liked to sit when her
days work was done.
81 have brought you some of the
rare orchids from the conservatory,
said he. "You told me the other day
that you liked flowers"
81 am much obliged to you," said
she, gratefully. "But, Mr.. Durell, I
have something to tell you"
"Stop minute" he said. 81 have
something to tell you--that I love
you, that L want to make you my
wife. Dear Miss Ravenel, you are
surprised at this? Have you not seen
it growing out of my heart by degrees?
My father is old and infirm, but he is
ready to welcome you with all paternal
love, and
"You really love me?" she cried,
with wide open eyes. "Me, poor,
pale, little hop-picker?"
"You, my queen and my ideall"
''Then," she said, all smiles and
bldshes, 81 think l ought to repay
you by loving you q little. And I
think do--nay, am quite certain of
it,"
"My darlingl Oh, my darling" he
murmured.
"But wait; you have not heard what
I am" she urged.
| 'You are Miss Rayenel"
'T am General Ravenel's daughter.
/ am here by the doctors order, not
because need the daily wages of
hop-picker. But you won't like me
any the less, will you, for that?"
Mr.. Durell stood amazed. Miss
Ravenel, the great heiress
''We are stopping at the Clancliff
hotel" said she. 81 have my phaeton
and ponies there. I will drive up to
the house to see your father, since he
cannot come to me-"
"But thought you were o poor
girl, hiring one of these tents at so
much night" said Daniel in per-
plexity.
''That's where you were mistaken, F"
said Miss Rayenel, smiling. 'But
hop-picking has done me great deal
of good. Aunt Verna says my cheeks
are redder than they used to be; and
I must be better, because -"
"Well?"
Because / feel so happy" said
Mary Ravenel, eoloring like a rose.
And SO Daniel Durell found his
life's treasure out among the garland
hoppoles. London Hearthstone.