The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1905-11-04

But the man and the scyths had tax
On hold Of his fancy. and hs moved
the easel to another part of the farm
where there was = big rock with Z
brook twisting around it and some
alders leaning over.
He would let the oak 60 for awhile.
There was no hurry. His invitation
was unlimited. Perhaps the mower
would have leisure after the hay was
made, and-there was another reason
why he was willing to stay on.
Kate Reumer was on the veranda
when he returned, and the look Of ap-
prevail in her eyes as they rested upon
him brought an unusual light into his
own.
On the other hand. there was some
thing in the thoughtful. unaffected
manner Of the country girl that ap-
pealed to De Masters as had none of
the beautiful women he had met on
his travels. He placed his easel and
unfinished canvas on the veranda, and
then dropped down to one of the
steps.
mo. you needn't look at the picture
yet" he said, as her gaze went toward
the canvas; 1T is only crude outlines,
like the limbs showing through fog.
l shall put in the details and finish it
tomorrow"
you didn't try the oak, thenY
mo, I haven't yet; have a new
idea for it." He was silent for some
minutes. then added, with a laugh:
Your peasants-working people, I
mean-are different from ours on the
other side. Over there need only to
raise my hand-with money in it, of
course-and they will come to me at
| run. They are always ready to earn
two or three honest pennies where
their regular work yields but one"
She looked at him 1nquiringly.
II tried the same thing here" he
went on 'but the man seemed too dull,
or too fond Of work. You see, it was a
man with scythe, and wanted him
with the oak"
Did you offer him money!"
"Of couse, simply. I could not ex-
pect him to come otherwise. But in
spite Of all my efforts couldn't make
him see the money. and he talked to
me just as I am talking to you-on
terms Of perfect equality. He didn't
even touch his hat"
A half-smile was parting her lips.
who was it?" she asked. Potter,
or Smith, or Cibber7'
II don't know, only that he was q
handsome young fellow, with collar
open and very wide brimmed straw
hat"
The half-smile broke into a ripping
laugh, instantly checked.
Il beg your pardon" she said, "but
that was Less-Lester Longstreet, I
mean"
Anything remarkable about him ?"
curiously.
"Why, no, don't know as there is,
not any more than about a good many
Of our young peasants in this country
who are working their way up. But
Lester Is very fine young man. He
was left an orphan at Z, and has made
every bit Of his way since then. He
has worked for papa three summers
to help pay his college expenses"
College," incredulously.
Yes. He graduated from Yale in
June, and is now earning money to
pay for postgraduate course in med
fcino and chemistry Then he In poino
through regular medical college, and
afterward will study a year in your
country. he is only Fl now, 30 there is
plenty of time. When he finishes his
study expect to marry him.
Her eyes were shining a little now,
and she looked at him frankly, as
though interpreting some word of
congratulation, perhaps Of commenda-
ton for the young mower. His face
was averted for an instant, then it
turned pale, but equally frank.
II thank you for your confidence"
he said simply. x came here with an
idea Of staying for three days, and
have been six already; and should
have to remain till after having to get
the picture. don't believe it would
be wise for me to stay so long. will
say goodbye to you now"
He bent over her hand a moment,
and was gone.-Illustrated Bits.