Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-07-23
BEST OF THE LOT.

BEST OF THE LOT. s
&SSSsSSSs&SsssssssssssX
CO HEY were sensible, hard-workipr
girls, were the Thurlows, and ev-
cry one liked and admired them.
The two elder ones made quite a nice
little sum Of pocket money by theiS
poultry and vegetables, which they
took into the market themselves, and
sold right well, for their things were al
ways OF the best and found a ready
sale.
It was brilliant June morning and
the pony was waiting with the little
cart at the door, stamping his little feet
with Impotence, for 1t was Monday.
and Jan" was fresh from his stable.
Angela" cried a fresh young voice.
'hurry up. Jan is at the door and the
baskets are iu. Do make haste: we
shall be dreadfully late"
"I'm coming. Oh, wait a moment,
Rita; l must take some Of those pink
roses from the south wall. I'm sure
they'd SELL"
1t was just eight o'clock and lovely
day. Overhead hung cloudless blue
sky, but 1t was no bluer than the azure
depths Of Angela's eyes, and the sun
light was scarce brighter than her glo-
rious hair, which coiled round her head
in masses Of warm color. She was
known as the "best Of the lot" and she
certainly deserved that position in the
family looks on this glorious morning.
MS she came round breathlessly from
the south wall, where she had been
gathering large handful Of delicious
pink roses, all wet with dew.
(; (; Nov. then, my good Rita, as hard
as you and Jan 1ike!" said Angela
gaily. as she got into the cart.
And, with a flick of the whip across
his shaggy shoulders, away went Jan
down the narrow avenue, out into the
lane which led into the highroad to the
town, four miles distant.
4 Pats Of yellow butter set out on
neighboring table, which was presided
over by fat farmers wife, made de-
licious contrast to the piles Of -vege-
tables, baskets Of brown eggs and the
loose bunch of pink roses which the
girls speedily set out in their turn; and
there was no lack Of customers as the
morning went OH. Strangers glanced
curiously at the lovely face of the girl
In the blue cotton gown and the sun
bonnet, which half concealed her love-
Illness; and presently carriage which
was passing stopped and two people-a
man and lady-got out and came
slowly into the market
They were strangers to the Thurlows.
Possibly they were staying in the
neighborhood, which was famous for
Its scenery and Its natural sporting I'D
vantages. But they had no time to
waste in staring idly at passers-by, for
they were besieged by customers, and
soon their pile of produce had nearly
vanished-all but the pink roses and q
few eggs.
"Miss Rita, my dear" whispered the
fat woman at the next stall, hurriedly,
twill you look after my things while
run out to speak to my daughter for
a minute? She passed by. and must
see her at once"
"Of course, Mrs. Radley," said An
gela; land I'll have sold all you've got
by the time you come back~
THANK you kindly. Miss Angela,
dearw
And Mrs. Radley hurried off, while
Angela took the vacant seat at the stall.
1t was getting hot, and she leant back
against the wall with feeling of
drowsiness, when she was reused by n
voice. saying:
"By Jove! there's pretty girl! say,
Maude-"
She glanced in the direction of the
voice, and saw the two strangers she
had noticed getting out Of the carriage
They were coming toward her, and her
ewes met those Of the man. who was
looking at her with frank admiration in
his handsome face.
my dear Geoff, do be carefulw said
the lady, with laugh; and then she
advanced to the stall where, as a rule
the worthy Mrs. Radley presided over
the destinies of her butter and chick.
ems.
as this Mrs. Radley's stally she
asked, with surprised glance at the
girl, who rose from her seat.
ayes, ma'am," said Angela, with the
demurest dir. "She has just gone out
Of the market for a moment, but am
looking after the things for her. What
/. can serve you with, ma'am?"
The man was still looking at her, but
Angela took not the faintest notice Of
him.
"a dozen eggs, please" said the lady,
getting out her purse, and looking
about her; "and- oh. what lovely
Z, roses there are on the next stall! Are
those yours?"
Eyes, 8ma'am," said Angela with
alacrity. "Will you take some? They
are quite fresh this morning"
"Giye me half the bunch, will you,
please? How much? That is right,
think. Perhaps you could bring them
out to the carriage for met" 4
"Let me take them, Maude,' said tho
man stepping iorWdru. 1nere ID no
need to trouble any one to carry your
parcels when am here. Is that ala"
"Yes. You look rather absurd with
that basket of eggs and the roses,
Geoff; but have your own way. Good
morning"
The man cast glance at Angela and
lifted his hat. as he followed the lady
from the stall; and Angela withdrew
to her seat with mischievous smile
curving her red lips.
OF course, be thought she was a farm.
sr's daughter, or something Of that sort,
IN shs lsughsd to herself At tho sse'