The Monticellonian., 1904-07-07
An ldyl of the Sugar BeetFields
Ccopyright, 1904, by Daily story Pub. Co.I
BELLE hANIATES

| IT was certainly an infiction to Cur | tis Waldo. the young manager of the sugar beet factory, to be up and doing at the dawn of this summer day. He hurried to the down town office of the factory, where troop of noisy, happy youngsters were await ing with impatience their drive to the fields a few miles distant, where they were to weed the beets and receive generous payment for each hours work.
 It was something of task to take their names and get them slowed away in the big wagons in waiting, and he gave groan of relief when the task was over. He heard the door open
 Another" he thought wearily as he raised his head from the ledger. The look of impatience vanished at the sight of the slender young figure of a girl presumably 19 years of age, who stood before him. Her face was fair and delicately pink. A big, broad brimmed hat rested on head crowned by shining. reddish brown hair, and the eyes that harmonize with such hair looked appealingiy up at him.
 What can do for you?" he asked in courteous tones.
 "I want to weed beets The driver said he'd wait while I came and got ticket"
 Waldo glanced at the dainty white hands with the well-kept nails.
 Why" he said. deprecatingly, do you know it's hard work in blazing hot field, stopping over and pulling up those tough weeds? Do you think you could endure it?"
 "I can-if they can. she said. with a sigh, pointing to the boisterous mob without
 He shook his head
 They are tougher than the weeds. but you, you don't look as if you had done work; at least such work"
 "I haven't done that kind of work before.
 What kind of work do you do?" he asked skeptically
 ''I sew, But don't like IL want | 70 try out or door work.
 Well. be careful" he advised, as he went out to the wagon with her He noted approvingly the neat well-fit ting gingham dress and, as she climbed into the wagon. he had feeting glimpse of a slender foot and a shapely ankle
 He watched the wagons of merry makers drive away.
 They seem to think it's a picnic" he thought, grimly. They'll not be so gingery when they come in to- night. I'm thinking"
 All through the morning his thoughts wandered 10 the sweet. dream-centered face of the last appN. cant, Myra Cole. About II o'clock he said suddenly to the bookkeeper:
 ''I am going to drive out and see how our Kindergarten is progressing"
 He arrived at the fields just as the little weeders were about to begin their midday meal They were tired, dirty and perspiring, but still happy and noisy. He found his vision of the morning with little tot on each side of her.
 Give your luncheon all to them" he said. peremptorily. T drove out to see how things were working, and l brought luncheon enough for both of us. Come down 10 the road where my horse and carriage are.
 She followed him obediently.
 Shall we serve i, in the carriage?" he asked
 There is a nice shade tree across the road. We can spread it out more comfortably there
 He agreed with this suggestion and watched her unpaek and arrange the luxurious luncheon he had brought.
 How did you keep your hands from burning?" he asked
 "I wore some thick gloves, and I didn't pull very many. l couldn't stand the sun am afraid l haven't earned much. but will do better when l am used to it
 They sat down on the ground to the luncheon and he was pleased 10 see that she ate as daintily as she did other things. Are your parents living?" he asked
 Yes: live at home with them"
 And are they very poor? Pardon the question. but il doesn't seem as if you were fitted for such hard labor :"
 'I have to help. My mother is an invalid"
 Oh" he said, sympathetically And your father? Does he work?"
 Yes; he works al the Globe Paper works"
 Have you any brothers and sis ters?"
 One brother
 Where does he work?"
 He doesn't work yet He is year younger than l."
 He is old enough to work. He should be the one to do this instead of you" he growled.
 When they had finished luncheon he asked her to drive during the rest of the noon hour. She hesitated and looked a little doubtful as to accept ing.