The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-05-20
AN IDYL OF SUGAR
 BEET FIELDS
BY BELLE MAN1ArEs.

sugar beet factory, to be up and doine at the dawn of this summer day. H. hurried to the down town ostice of tn, factory. where . troop of noisy. happ, youngsters were awaiting with impa. tfence their drive to, the fields a few miles distnnt, where they were to weed the beets and receive generous pay ment for each hours work.
 It was something of 6 task to take their names and get them slowed away in the big wagons in waiting and he was over. He heard the door open
 Another" he thought, wearily, as he raised his head from the ledger The look of impotence vanished at the sight of the slender young figure of a girl presumably ae years of age, who stood before him. Her face was fair and delicatsly pink A big, broad brimmed hat rested on a head crowned by shining, reddish-b brown hair, and the eyes that harmonize with such hair looked apparently up at him, What can do for you" he asked in courteous tones.
 II want to weed beets. The driver said he'd wait while I came and got a
 Waldo glanced at the dainty white hands with the well-kept nails.
 Why" he said, deprecatingly. "do you know it's hard work in a biasina hot field. stopping over end pulling up those tough weeds? Do you think you could endure it?"
 T can---if. they can" she said. with a sigh. pointing to the sostereus mob
 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 workl"
 T haven't done that kind of work before"
 "what kind of work do you dor" he asked, skeptically.
 T sew. But don't like it. want to try out of door work"
 well. be careful" he advised, as he went out to the wagon with her. He noted approvingly the neat, wsil-ft- ting gingham dress and. as she climbed into the wagon, he had a heeting glimpse of q slender foot and a shape ly ankle.
 He watched the wagons of merry makers drive away.
 They seem to think it's picnic" he thought, grimly. They'll not be so gingery when they come in tonight. I'm thinking"
 All through the morning his thoughts wandered to the sweet, dream-centered face of tho last applicant, Myra Cole. About ii o'clock he said suddenly to the bookkkeeper:
 T 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 thena.'' he said, peremptorily. T drove out to see how things were working, and l brought luncheon enough for both of us. Come down to the road where my horse and carriage are.'
 She followed him obedientIy. .
 Shall we serve 1t in the carriage? ?' he asked.
 There is a nice shade tree across the road. We can spread 1t out more comfortably there"
 He agreed with this suggestion and watched her unpack and arrange the luxurious luncheon he had brought.
 How did you keep your hands from burning?" he asked.
 T wore some thick gloves. and l didn't pull very many. couldn't stand the sun. I am afraid haven't earn ed much, but will do better when l am used to it."
 They sat down on the ground to the luncheon and he was pleased to see that she ate as daintily as she did oth- CT things.
 Are your parents livingT" he asked.
 Yes; live at home with them"
 And are they very poor? Pardon the question, but it doesn't seem as If you were fitted for such hard labor"
 T have to help. My mother is an invalid"
 oh he said. sympatheticalIy. And your father? Does he workT'
 Yes; he works at the Globe Paper
 Have you any brothers and sis ters?"
 "one brother"
 Where does he work?"
 He doesn't work yet He Is a year 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 little doubtful as to accept Ing.
 'It'lI do you good and rest you for the afternoon"
 She finally consented to take a little drive. but insisted upon returning to the field at one o'clock.
 Where do you iive7" he asked, as he helped her out of the carriage.
 "At 415 Twelfth street." she replied. with slight blush.
 And may come and see you to- night" he asked.
 The blush deepened. N
 "I am going to a dance tonight"
 "A dance! Where?"
 The Draymen's union."
 Ills idol tottered.
 With whom are you goingT'
 My brother"
 This was more encouraging, but stfli. the Draymen's unioni He could not associate her with the entertain ment. Mechanically he lifted his hat and drove abruptly and swiftly away. He was at the oflce when the wagon loads drove up in the evening. The children did not fulfll his prediction of losing their ginger. Their elastic natures had revived during the ride home all their hilarity of the morn ing.
 Although Myra Cole was one of the first to enter, she stepped aside to let the others receive their payment. When the ranks finally began to thin Waldo looked up to see why she did not come to his desk. To his amaze ment she had vanished.
 q suppose she was in hurry to dress for the dance" he unused. with a shudder at the thought of that re- fined maiden attending such a dance.
 Although an employe had been brok-