The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1903-08-08

maiden =
"To milking. sir" she cnucily replies.
"May | carry your pail =
NO thank You Harry will carry
my pail" she said. and passed on lightly.
As the girl moves down the hill ont of
sight, the owner of the voice swings
quickly to the ground from out the cherry
tree. He was n handsome man of about
thirty years. who evidently belongs to
the great outside world of men and wo-
men. and is not native of this rustic
farming community.
slight frown passes over his face as
he lands on terra tirma.
"Who would have thought little
country maid would have proven so
difficult 2 he muttcrS rs he stalks rap
idly over the brow of the hill in the
direction of the village blacksmith shop.
He enters the shop amid Il crowd of
farmers, who. having finished pInnting
corn. are now congrcgatcd around the
village store and shop To hear the news
and gossip little. as men will when at
leisure. One of the number cries out -
"Nornin' Mr.. Richards : how do you
feel in our country air =
''Better. thank you. Mr.. Evans only
and get strong is novelty to me. In
the city never had any leisure. and used
to long for Il free moment. Now | am
compelled to take rest and | don't know
how to enjoy it.
''Why d0a't YOU 20 aud talk to our
country gals = inquired Mr.. Evans
Il don't know Them replied Mr.. Rich
ards. Can You tell me who the girl is
that went in the store inst ahead of me-
wearing a pink s,Inhonnet =
"Onc of George Maryn's gals he has
seven. She is the youngest and the purt-
lest, but softly like head full of books
and SIGH nonsense. 0ld Naryn wants his
wimin folks to feed the pigs and milk the
cows. but this gal has been to boarding
school and says feeding pigs and milking
cows 'tain't wimin'S work. when there
are men around the place to do it, so the
other gals does it for her. ana she reads
and thumpS on the organ. and her pa
storms ut her for lazy, no-account
piece"
"Mr. Richards. I am going over to Mr..
Martyrs this evening. will You join me-"
courtcously asks Frank Shaw.
"Thank you, | will 20 with pleasure"
responds Harry Richards
The crowd left the shop in search of
dinner. Young Richards weudS his way
back to his boarding house. cngrosscd
with the thought OF the furious Irritation
he would enjoy that evening with the
little country girl.
Eight o'clock that same evening. finds
McsSrs. Richards and Shaw seated on
the vinc-clad porch nj farmer Martyrs.
waiting for the girls TO join them Pre-
scntly pattrr OF footsteps on the stair
way announces the coming of the fair
unknown to Mr. Richards listening ears.
He draws back in the shadow as She
steps out on the porch. followed hy two
of her sisters. He gets Il good look at
Iotta'S sweet face.
Mr. Shaw grcrtS them and then turns
and presents them To Harry. Lolita has
not forgotten her encounter in the morn
ing. and "rcrtS Mr.. Richards low bow
with a slight cooncSs and Immediately
enters, into an animated discussion with
Frank on his college course leaving him
to her sisters. who are simply plain
country girls. with very little in common
with the cultured city gentleman. and yet
under their fathers tuition they bad
learned that the one duty expected of his
him. So they were soon doing their little
best to entertain their caller, by prattling
to him Of their pet chickens, pigs. lambs
and calves and their amusing tricks ; also
the simple social pleasures of the count
ry around.
He listened to them far more atten-
lively than the average man from the city
would because he found them brand
%
wholesome as a nut, even if there was no
great depth no false prctenses, such as
he often met in the great social world in
which he mingled.
The distant rumble of thunder attract
ed their attention. 1t soon became near
er, necesStating their removal indoors,
where the approaching storm was watch
ed from the window. The play of the
angry clouds, the obscuring of the face
of the full moon, with the contortions of
the huge trees on the lawn by the wind,
We're surely Il magnificent demonstration
of the power of the great storm king
which Mr.. Richards had seldom witness
ed before Soon the rain fell in torrents:
the roar became terrific. \ vivid flash
of lightning, followed by crashing peal
of thunder. after which dcathike still
ness reigned throughout the room. Every
occupant was stunned by the awful bolt
of destruction.
Mr. Richards was the first to revive
from the stupor the shock had thrown
them into. He FASTENED out on the porch
followed by Lolita, with white troubled
face.
as the house struck p she asked, I'M
steadily.
mo, but somewhere close" replied Mr..
Richards.
The odor of burning hay with a flash
of the flames revealed that it was the
barrack on fire, which was very near
indeed.
Call your father Miss Lolita. 1t is
SO near that in this wind, if we don't
fight it the house is doomed"
She silently obeyed him. Farmer Mar
tyn was quickly on the scene. The rain
had about ceased. The burning embers