The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1902-08-08
BEST OF THE LOT.


O. HEY were sensible, Woodworking
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 their
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 ready
sale.
1t was a brilliant June morning and
the pony was waiting with the little
cart at the door, stamping his little feet
with Impotence, for it was Monday.
and Jan was fresh from his stable.
Angela" cried fresh young voice.
hurry up. Jan is at the door and the
baskets are in. DO make haste; we
shall be dreadfully late"
Pm 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 a lovely
day. Overhead hung a cloudless blue
sky, but it was no bluer than the azure
depths of Angela's eyes, and the sun
light was scarce brighter than her glo-
rlous 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
as she came round breathlessly from
the south wall, where she had been
gathering a large handful of delicious
pink roses. all wet with dew.
Now, then, my good Rita as hard
as you and Jan likew 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.
Pats of yellow butter set out on a
neighboring table, which was presided
over by a 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 on. 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 a carriage which
was passing stopped and two people-a
man and a 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 adj
yantages. 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 a
few eggs.
Miss Rita, my dear" whispered the
fat woman at the next stall, hurriedly,
will you look after my things while
l run out to speak to my daughter for
a minute? She passed by, and l 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 backr
"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 a feeling of
drowsiness, when she was reused by a
voice, saying:
by Jove! there's a pretty girl! 1 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
eyes met those of the man. who was