The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1902-03-11
CHAPTER XIV.
THE OLD, OLD STORY.

When CASTOR arrived in independence
he went direct to st. Clare's, determined
to spend a week, and get what sympathy
! he could from his friend.
Bob. I'm going to risk it. I'm going to
| look fate squarely in the face and get
| nv answer like a little man, for life or
death"
Mrs. Worth met CASTOR and greeted him
| with warmest cordiality.
1--WE are charmed to welcome you to
lakewood again, Mr.. CASTOR.
Il assure you, Mrs. Worth, | never
| saw a home 50 beautiful. l feel as though
] am in paradise when l get here"
81 hope to see more Of you this time,
l feel tina l know you so much bet
ter since our talk at the Springs
Thank you, Mrs. Worth" He said this
SO simply and earnestly she could but
feel his deep appreciation OF her attitude
Of welcome.
sallie suddenly stepped from the hall
into the doorway.
Now, mama, there you are again car
rying on with one of my beaux. ! don't
know what | will do with you!'
Mrs. Worth actually blushed, sprang up
and struck Sallie lightly on the arm with
her fan exclaiming, oh! you sly thing,
to stand out there and listen to what /
said! Mr.. CASTOR l turn her over to you
to punish her for such conduct"
isn't she a dear said Sallic when
her mother was gone.
4 was charmed Will her at the Springs
but the gracious way she made me feel
at home this morning completely won my
heart
81 can do anything with mama. She's
the dearest mother that ever lived. She
always seems to know intuitively my
hearts wish and. if it's best, gives it to
me, and if it's not she makes me cease
to desire it. | wish | could manage
papa as easily. But, come, my horse is
ready, go with me for another ride to-
lay. | am going to take you across
he river and show you a pretty drive
over there
They were soon lost in the deep shad-
ows of the stately pine forest that lay
beyond the CataWba from the Generals
home. The road was a cross-country mar
row way that wound in and out around the
big trees.
They logged slowly along while he
bathed his soul in the joy of her presence.
How sweet to be alone and near her,
There seemed to him a magic power in
the touch of her dress as she set in the
little buggy SO close by his side. They
drove to the park; it was a famous place
for lovers. For hours, again he Law at her
feet and drank the wine of her beauty
until his heart was drunk with love.
Once he opened his lips to tell her, and
a great fear awed him into silence. He
longed to pour out to her his passion,
but feared her answer. He had studied
her every word and tone and look and
hand-pressure since he had known her.
he was sure she loved him. And yet he
was not sure. She was so skilled in the
science Of self defence, so subtle a mis-
tress or all the arts of polite society
in which the souls deepest secrets arc
hid from the world, he was paralysed now
as the moment drew near. He MT II
off another day and gave himself I'M n
the pure delight of her face and form and
voice and presence.
That evening when she entered the homoI
her mother caught her hand and softly
whispered, Did he court you TODAY. Sal |
lie?"
She shook her head smilingly. 'No but
| think he will tomorrow"
Ne next day was perfect. The warm /!
liIe-slvlEg sun Of June was tempered nv |
breezes that swept fresh and inyigoratin.
over the earth that had been drencbed
Win showers in the night. The woods |
were ringing with the chorus of feathored
throats chanting the old oratorio of life
anu ioVe- AGAIN Castor and Sallie were
logging along the cool shady river road |
mao travelled on the first day She |
had taken him driving. ~
That is my island" she cried noin
out into the river. ..Tbat chill -
IN the group running out from tho no;nt
can step from one rock to another m
It was indeed an enhancing spot Tho
nc seemed all alone in the middle of
me river when one was on it. II wac ~.
more than fifty feet wide and a bunanos
.eet long its length lying with the swif,
current. At the lower end of it a fna
Isl tree spread its dense shade. hanging
ar over the still waters that stood -
smooth clear eddy at its roots ~.
apper SIDE OF this tree lay a big bou,der
es''hs against its trunk and embedded
= a mass OF clean white sane the water
n.efeo and washed and thrown there
On some spring flood. ~
one climbed on this rock sat aou