Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1903-03-20

~ was NohSdGS Biouuu uneSe TWO
were treading upon-the girl more
and more conscious of something in
her heart which she would not adj
NIT to herself was there, fearful of
all it might involve, her sensitive ma
ture shrinking from the speech of
family, of friends, and of the world;
the man now wholly mastered by the
love he had SO sternly struggled
against, realizing its apparent folly
and hopelessness, and yet grasping
at straws, and buoyed up by the
Trailer fabric of dreams.
Though you would not let me try
to tell you, Mr.. Rossiter," Miss Dens-
more broke out suddenly, "of my
gratitude to you for all you did for
me, must, will speak of your no.
bleness, your generosity, your brav-
cry in coming to uncles aid. Why, if
it hadn't been for you
Her words were as spark to pow
der. All the pent-up emotion within
him rushed to his lips. She should
know, whatever might be the conse-
quences, that it was her presence
with Mr.. Merton that had moved him
to strive so nightly, that there was
nothing he would not do, aye, to
risking life and limb thousand
times to win her favor. Whatever
his past might have been, and she
should read the open page of it with
out reserve, the future, and she
might put him to the proof, should
be like the life-monlding of another
man, il he might but wear her gage.
$40 you think, Miss Densmore," he
began, and there was that in
his voice and in his eyes that caused
her to turn away, "do you think I
would have gone so eagerly to your
uncle's aid"
His imprisoned words were cut
short by Miss Merton's entrance.
"How cosey you are!" she cried,
seating herself. "And is the hero
quite recovered"
Hes likely to faint dead away if
you apply that title to him again,
Miss Merton" Rossiter had wit
enough to answer.
What had he been about to say?
Miss Densmore wondered. Inference
clearly pointed but in one direction,
and yet. She was in q tremor of
doubt, not sure of herself. marvelling
at Rossiter's sudden exhibition of
feeling when hitherto he had held
himself in such close restraint. AS
for Rossiter, he had resolved that he
would not turn his back on the Mer-
ton farm and the hop-tields without
putting his fortune once more to the
test.
Mr.. and Mrs. Merton came in short
ly, lamp was lighted, and then
though they urged upon him to rest
for a while longer, Rossiter declared
that he would go down to the mems
sleeping and babe them all
goodnight"
"Youll not hesitate to rouse some
of US it you should feel ill?" said Mrs.
Merton.
Rossiter assured her that she need
have no further anxiety in regard to
him, and went out to find Joe Becraft
lounging about watching for him. He
would have much preferred to be
alone, but he would not hurt Be-
crafts feelings, so the two walked
towards the mems sleeping-quarters
together.
The next morning Rossiter was at
his work as usual. He did not feel
strong, but in response to all in.
quiries replied that he needed only
another nights rest to be ready fol
further adventures. The girls came
into the yard long enough to pick one
more box each, chatted gleefully over
the amount of money they hac
earned, talked of the departure OF
the pickers and how lonely the farm
would seem after they had gone, in.
CURED as to Rossiter's plans, and said
as they were leaving, that they would
reserve their good-byes until later, he
having stated that he should probably
ride into I1lica with the Becrafts or
the following morning, although
some were planning to take the even
| ing train for Hintonville.
By four o'clock the last box ha6
been emptied, the last pole stripped
and stacked. It was announced that
Mr.. Merton was to be found in his
little room in the barn, and thithe1
all the pickers focked for their pay
When the grateful farmer came tc
settle with Rossiter he endeavored tt
make him accept much larger sun
than that due him, saying he wished
in some way to show his appreciation
OF his many services, and knew nc
other manner of making clear such
appreciation. 1t was frankly yet by
no means indelicately put, and though
the pole-puller would not listen tc
the proposal, he was gratifed rather
than offended. Mr.. Merton the4
asked him if he would not like to re
main in his employment upon the
farm, saying that Jack Parmelee hat
suggested it. For this further mark
of kindness Rossiter expressed his
thanks, but replied in the negative
whereat Mr.. Merton's regret was ap
parently genuine.
AS Rossiter emerged from his inter
view with Mr.. Merton, and wa.
standing in the door of the barn pom
dering upon how he should effect his
interview with Miss Densmore, 8
young man, trinity clad and neatly
gloved, drove briskly into the yarc
in a smart dog-cart. He pulled up il
in front of the porch and Miss Dens
more and Miss Merton came out t.
meet him.
"Hullo! There's young Wolfe. ,