, 1902-08-01
BEST OF THE LOT

s.ts. ~~<~~~~~~~>~ :
@HEY were sensible, Woodworking
girls, were the Thutlows, 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 q ready,
sale. ~ ;. ~.
It was a brilliant. June morning and,
the pony was waiting with the little
cart at the door, stamping his little feet
with impatience, for It was Monday.
and Jan" was fresh from his stable.
.S"Angela," cried a fresh young voice.
shurry up. Jan Is at the door and the
baskets are In. Do make haste; we
shall. be dreadfully late" !, =
I'm coming Oh. wait a moment,
Rita; / must take some of those pink
roSes from the south wall. I'm sure
they'd SELL" q :"
.It.waSJust eight o'clock and. a lovely
day. Overhead hung a cloddless blue,
sky, but It was no bluer than the azure
depths Of Angela's eyes, and the sun
Tight was scarce brighter than her glot
rlous. hair. which. coiled round her head
IN .massesoof warm. colon She was
known aslthet'best ,ofethe lot" and she
certainLysdeseryed that R2sition II the,
eafhilyolooks Oh this glorious morning.
Is, she came round breathlessly from
he 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 likel" 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.
Puts of yellow Butter set out on a
uefgRboffhg table, which was presided
over BY Fat farmers wife, made a de-
ucious 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
curlously at the lovely face of the girl
In the blue cotton gown and the sun
bonnet, which half concealed her love
lfness; and presently q carriage which
was passing stopped and two people,
nan and a lady-got out and came
slowly into the market.
They were strangers to the Thurlows.
Possibly they were staying in the
aeighborhood. which was famous for
It's scenery and Its natural sporting adj
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
y~anished-all but the pink roses and a
Few eggs.
miss Rita. my DEAR" whispered the
tat woman at the next stall. hurriedly,
will you look after my things while
run out to speak to my daughter for
a minute7 She passed by, and I must
see her at once"
"Of course. Mrs. Radley," said An
CELIA; "and I'll have sold all you've got
By the tinis you come backw
Thank you kindly. Miss Angels.
dear" :.
And Mrs. Radley hurried or, while
Angela took the vacant seat at the stall.
1t was getting hot and she Ieant back
against the wall with a feeling Of
drowsiness. when she was reused By q
voice. saying:
"By Jovsi there's . pretty grill I say.
Maude-"
She glanced In the direction Of the
voice. and saw the two strangers she
had noticed getting out Of tho carriage.
They were coming toward her. and her
syes met those Of the man. who was
looking * her with frank admiration In
his handsomsAf face.
my dear Gco6. do be CAREFUL said
mic lady. with q Taught and then she
advanced to the stall where. a. a ruia
ne worthy Mr.. Radisy presided over
tho dsstinies Of her butter and chick.
ms.
els this Mrs. Radley's stalr" she
nsked, with Q surprised glance NJ the
"a whe rose from her seat