The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1903-07-11

uuCODoitOuhS VI BAfO fN-~"''r-~~ - nv /
the vagrant had recovered and taken
himself off. But he now recognized
Miss Merton's wisdom in desiring
that the affair be kept quiet. The
publicity which would, Of necessity,
be given to it all in case Dawson
were caught and hailed back to the
farm would only serve to keep what
had occurred fresh in Miss Dens-
more's mind and that she might
speedily recover from the shock ~
was best that nothing in connection
with the scene in the wood be re-
verted to.
Towards evening Mr.. Merton
sought him out, and poured upon
him stream Of grateful and, TO kos-fI
sitter, embarrassing praise for ms
conduct. 1t was only when ne
launched upon perhaps excusapiy
profane denunciation of Dawson that
the late wanderer began to feel com
Portable in his presence. GRATITUDE
in any form, as has been previously
Indicated Rossiter was very far from
being accustomed to. Whenever he
was able to render service it was
his nature to do so free-heartediy'
and neither to ask nor to desire
recompense of any sort. He knew,
generally speaking, that he had little
to give. but to that little anyone IN
need was wholly welcome. This was
one of the mans most attractive
characteristics. Yet in time gone by
it was this very quixotic open-hand-
edness that was in measure respon-
sible for his downfall.
During the next two days neitner
Miss Merton nor her cousin appeared
in the hop-yard. On Tuesday, as he
was coming from dinner, Rossiter
CHANGED to see the former standing
alone upon the porch. and ventured
to inquire for Miss Densmore
"she's feeling much better to-
dav" Miss Merton said. Sunday
nioht we were very anxious abont
her. fearing a return of the fever
from which she recently recovereu'
but I'm sure there's no danger now.
We shall be ont shouting Hop-pole!'
to you again very soon"
= Miss Mertons prediction proved to
, be true, for on the following after
noon Rossiter saw the two girls com
, ing towards the yard.
D "Your holidays over now" said Joe
a Becraft, near whom he CHANGED tc
: be standing, with little grin, %nu'
, don't s'pose you mind"
! Rossiter laughed good-humoredly
n and FASTENED away to have a poll
in readiness for the returning PICK
=. ers. Indeed, he did not mind. Quit
% the contrary. Though he woul'
hardly admit it to himself, the hour
had many of them dragged sad.
since Miss Merton and her cousl
had been absent from the hop-tielc
and he felt thrill of pleasure a
d their approach which it was useles
to attempt to repress. Whittier wa
he drifting? he asked himself.
Both girls greeted him with fran
=, friendliness, and though he endea'
~ ored to maintain his former reserv'
o neither of them would have it s.
OF Miss Densmore seemed quite hersel
pc and as for Miss Merton. she was
~ the gayest of gay moods.
"Of course you've heard about tn
=, hop-dance!, she exclaimed. Its
y be one of the largest we have eve
: had. Sylvia's never seen one, an
~ she's very curious about IT. your
familiar with h0p-dances, ! suppos
~ Mr.. Rossiter?"
$40" said Rossiter, Il can't 50
~ that am"
~ In his college days number OF h
~, companions were in the habit OF a
II tending these rustic frolics, but
ar Glanced that he never had aecomp
or MED them.
oh "What! Why, how funny! But
a forgot, you're not farmer, are yol
81 Well. you'll have a .chance to 81
rv. what hop-dance is like. I've ask
IN. few friends up from Hintonvill
"a and we are going in for grand goo
time. aren't we, Sylvia? We are e
til pecting you'll ask us to dance, NJ
40 Rossiter.'
.es "Dance," cried Rossiter in b
wilderment. Was the girl makl1
of game of him? Apparently not, +
tly She seemed wholly in earnest.
lin "Certainly," she said in reply to b
at exclamation. "You dance, do W
note"
Rossiter was compelled to adm
that he had danced.
"Then we shall feel very mu'
sighted if you do not dance no
and if you neglect us" she adde
.'Won't we, Sylvan
IL II an sure Mr.. Rossiter is not a
he customed to slight his friends" sa
mr. Miss Densmore.
rot 'sBut | haven't danced in numb
mr. of years. and" began Rossiter.
en-. He had heard the gayeties Of Il
nd following night talked about amor
ST. a number of the younger pickers
IN, Mamie Becraft was in a twitter ov
ut. them-but the gossip had mea
1t nothing to him. He dance! 1t W
is absurd. Not that he lacked skill
he the art. Once he had been eonsi
do cred the most accomplished, pal
ner who was welcomed by all who
at he sought. but that was in anotii
rst existence. He was surprised tn
in Miss Merton and her cousin propos
,ol. Joining in the .free-and-easy rollic
oh incs of the hop-dance, but evident
art the two girls were bent on lar
he and Miriam was doubtless eager
The show Miss Densmore all the phas
for of the hop-haryest.
la. CO