The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1903-11-13

COSetneI.
The next morning Rossiter was at
his work as usual. He did not feel
strong, but in response to all in
euiries replied that he needed only
another nights rest to be ready for
further adventures. The girls came
into the yard long enough to pick one
more box each, chatted gleefully over
the amount of money they had
earned, talked of the departure of
the pickers and how lonely the farm
would seem after they had gone, in
quired 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 Illica with the Becrafts on
the following morning, although
some were planning to take the even
ing train for Hintonville.
By four o'clock the last box had
been emptied, the last pole stripped
and stacked. 1t was announced that
Mr.. Merton was to be found in his
little room in the barn, and thither
all the pickers flocked for their pay.
When the grateful farmer came to
settle with Rossiter he endeavored to
make him accept a much larger sum
than that due him, saying he wished
in some way to show his appreciation
of his many services, and knew no
other manner of making clear such
appreciation. 1t was frankly yet by
no means indelicately put, and though
the pole-puller would not listen to
the proposal, he was gratified rather
than offended. Mr.. Merton then
asked him if he would not like to re-
main in his employment upon the
farm, saying that Jack Parmelee had
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 was
standing in the door of the barn pom
dering upon how he should effect his
interview with Miss Densmore,
young man, trinity clad and neatly
gloved, drove briskly into the yard
in smart dog-cart. He pulled up in
in front of the porch and Miss Dens-
more and Miss Merton came out to
meet him.
'Hullo! There's young Wolfe, q
friend of Sylvia's from Illica,'' said
Jack Parmelee, who was sitting upon
the barn threshold whiting ener-
getically at splinter of pine. "Hey,
Dick Whittlesey! Run and take that
horse!"
81 come down from the woods day
before yesterday" the newcomer was
saying to Miss Densmore, land yes
terday I met your father, who told me
you were up here, SO 1 thought I'd
drive out"
AS Rossiter viewed the greeting be-
tween the two, the lovely girl and
this fne-looking, handsomely dressed
young man, the little fabric of dream
which he had allowed to grow grad
ually since his struggle in the dip
crumbled into dismal ruin. He strobe
away into the orchard cursing him
self for his mad presumption. Yet
hope died hard, and by the time the
sound of the supper bell rang out he
made up his mind that the presence
VI uASADCCtCo ~ dl SllOulo uOt
deter him from pleading his cause.
Curiously, in all his thoughts of Miss
Densmore the probability that her
affections were engaged was not
thing that had received from him
much consideration. Now he won
dered why.
The evening meal was earlier than
usual, that those of the pickers who
desired might catch the train at Hin
tonville. After he had eaten Rossiter
again sought the orchard. He had
decided that he would wait and watch
to see when Mr.. Wolfe took his de-
parture, and then perhaps the oppor-
tunity he sought would offer itself.
Eagerly he marked the shadows
gather, and saw the evening star be-
gin to glisten beyond the purple out
line of the distant hills. He was just
upon the point of returning to the
proximity. of the house when he
caught the faint murmur of voices.
He had found seat upon wide rail
in a corner of the snake fence where
tall elderberrybushes formed par
tial screen, and fancying it was some
VI lhc PlchciS WduucTluS ny inc PAIN,
half dozen yards away, to the edge
of the orchard, he concluded he would
let them pass before making a move.
He sat there inattentive and passive
until suddenly he was conscious that
one of those speaking was Miss Dens-
more. Without looking he knew who
her companion must be. What should
he do? AS yet he had heard no word
of their conversation, and he had no
desire to play the unwilling caves
dropper. AS noiselessly as possible
he tried to shift his position so that
he might slip into the bushes on the
other side of the fence and thus steal
away unnoticed. He had half accom-
plished his purpose when what Wolfe
was saying became clear to him.