Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1903-03-13
CHAPTER x.
PASSING DAYS.

Rossiter had his third dance with
Miss Densmore, but he saw that it
was an effort for her to go through
the changes. Indeed, the spirits OF
the whole company had fallen many
degrees. Miss Merton's friends de.
clared that they must be going home,
and with. their departure the two
girls retired to the house. Rossiter
fingered few moments in the kiln
after they had left and then sought
his cot. He could not sleep, how
ever, and as the music still continued
his thoughts drifted with it up and
down the gamut of the nights hap
penings. He wondered if Miss Dens-
more would be able to carry out her
determination to keep from the store
of her hop-picking experiences
naught but the pleasant for her
treasure-trove of memory. He feared
this was little likely, though he real
lied that she was a girl of strong
will. In such matters, however, the
mind cannot be coerced. Then he be-
gan to query what part, if any, he
played in that which she would re-
tain and cherish. He was now past
calling himself fool for dwelling
upon her. He had suddenly assumed
different attitude in this regard.
He would indulge in the luxury of
playing the moth. There was fine
exaltation in being singed at so
bright flame, and il no one save
himself was aware Of the smuggling,
what did it matter?
Late in the night soft rain began
falling, and its monotone lulled Ros-
sitter to sleep. Everything was drip
ping in the morning, and no one
turned out early, for picking was i'm
possible. By three o'clock, however,
a portion of one yard which stood
upon high ground was sufficiently
dry under foot, so work was here re-
sumed. All the land near the house
devoted to hops had by this time
been cleared, and the pickers were
obliged to walk considerable dis
lance from the farm buildings before
reaching the scene of their efforts.
Rossiter caught but glimpse or
two of Miss Densmore on the day fol-
lowing the dance, as she and Miss
Merton did not go into the fields.
He had bright nod from her as he
was hurrying by the house on an
GRAND for Parmelee, and again in the
evening spoke an instant with her
and with Miss Merton upon the
porch. On Saturday, however, both
girls were once more picking. In
fact, they were out earlier than
common.
"See how ambitious we are get
ting!" exclaimed Miss Merton, as
Rossiter wished them good-morning.
Positively grasping!" cried Miss
Densmore. "We counted up our
tickets last night, and calculated
how much money we were likely to
have at the end. I've spent mine in
my mind dozen times already" and
she gave one of her infectious little
laughs.
That day was one of delight to
Rossiter. Both of the girls were as
blithe as birds, and he caught some
thing OF their gayety. Only once was
there any reference to the occurrence
which had in a measure married the
pleasure of the hop-dance.
Miss Merton had walked across to
chat u moment with Mrs. Becraft, to
whom she had taken a fancy, and
whom she recalled from the preced-
ing year, and Rossiter Glanced to be
stripping pole near the box of the
two girls.
Il wanted to ask you question:"
said Miss Densmore, when she saw
he had finished. Miriam is not in
clined to talk about it for fear, l
suppose, of disturbing me. But
wasn't that man the other night the
same one who"
"Ies," interrupted Rossiter, not
waiting for her to complete the SEN
tence. There seemed to be no other
way but to be perfectly frank With
her. But he'll not come 'snoopin'
round again, as Mr.. Parmelee says"
Il heard what Jack did. / wonder
II 1T was the wisest course to take?
Anyhow, I should be afraid to turn
such . creature loose after It,"
The same thought had occurred to
Rossiter, hut he did not acknowledge
1t. "Whiskers' bitter yindictiveness
he did not doubt. Fear of being
caught was the only thing that would
deter him from attempting some sort
OF revenge. Indeed, that had already
occurred, had Rossiter but known it,
which went far towards disproying
his assertion In rsEard 70 Dawson's