The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-04-18

lafield inspired Grace to set up her easel under the inviting elm. Through the long afternoon of dazzling heat about her while young Williams hov- cred around with deep interest in her work. Grace wondered that he was mot reprimanded by Farmer Ludden. who had the reputation of being able than any other farmer in the county. but he seemed to utterly ignore this strapping youth.
 About 5 o'clock Grace returned to the house. and young Williams again was her escort.
 T am afraid, Mr. Williams" she remarked apprehensively. that Farm CT Ludden won't pay you for full days work"
 He laughed carelessly.
 T am working out what owe him" he replied.
 Prompt to the hour, the men came trooping in from the meadow--a tired, hungry. good natured. coatless, dust covered lot. Their toilet for supper consisted of a soap lathering of face and hands and a plastering or nair. They seated themselves with oustie and clamor. attacking their food with lavidity and a knife and fork stunt of phenomenal dexterity.
 Steaming hot potatoes were tossed down longing throats with agility;
 
 followed by now and then generous mounthful of crisp salt park, hot corn lcake proved popular and baking pow der biscuits were swallowed as so Imany capsules. There were also Iflashlight disappearances of little ac. Icessories like sweet pickles, honey. lcrullers and blackberry pie. attended by a constant irrigation of green tea. 1 Grace noted with an indefinable, unconscious thrill of pleasure that the table manners of young Williams were perfect
 do after you get through moving, she ventured in remark to the lean. lank farmer who sat next to her with his fingers wound about his fork as It It were a piccolo.
 He paused in the act of conveying a knife blade of pie to his mouth, and looked at he with comical serious Iness
 wal, not so dern much. Jest call late this month to clar off the fust crops, choke the wreds. plant stock crops. SOW buckwheat, thresn winter wheat, bush beans, harvest potatoes and few other things thatI don't just seem to recklect now"
 The general laugh that followed did not abash her in the least.
 If you do all that this month" she said sagaciously, you will have to
 
 made sketch of you standing knee deep in clover with your hands in your pockets
 still louder laugh followed this thrust. and the serious eyes of young Williams danced in mirth. Zed Lowe was noted for shirking.
 Guess twant mel! he grinned, must have been some other feller."
 You know how to paint fields all right" commented one critic.
 Wal! I guess I kin hear the bees a hummin?' approved another.
 Supper dispatched, the men started for their respective homes. | Williams fingered. There's a love- ly idea for a picture down near where live" he said to Grace. Can't you drive home with me now and see itT
 What. now? It's getting late" she replied hesitatingly.
 "Sho!" said Farmer Ludden. Its long days now, and he drives like the wind"
 Thus urged, Grace consented. and the harvest hand soon drove up to the side porch with a neat trap and shining black horse, whose light feet skinned the ground as they drove down the country road.
 Haven't we come a good stretch?" asked Grace suddenly.
 Flight miles," he laughed
 Just then turn in the road brought them in sight of a beautiful modern villa set well back from the street with a slope of green lawn and hedged driveway in front.
 What a lovely place" she cried. ITO whom does 1t belongT
 'To me-" he replied simply.
 She thought he was testing until he drove up to the front entrance and a man came and stood respectfully at the horses head. At the same in- stant, a white-aproned maid came out of the door.
 "Fannie." asked Williams. Ifs my mother in?'
 NO, sir" was the reply. She has gone for a drive"
 we will drive a little longer, then" he said to Grace, and return. She will want to meet you"
 Grace was silent until they were in the road again.
 T thought" she said with a little laugh, that you were in truth har- vest hand-until now" He laughed delightedly. l T knew you did. l was today You see, Farmer Ludden was very good to us one day last harvest when a storm was coming up, and we could not get help. He was short a hand this year and I felt that I must return the com pliment I don't think he found me a harvest way, so he sent me up after | ,,o,t ip order fo disnenSp with my Ser-