The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1906-09-14

village, boasting OF no vehicle except
a wheclbarrow and donkey cart Con
sequently Dan Courtney, on taking
leave Of his rival. set forth on foot In
the direction OF Sweet Briar Farm
Courtney encountered few folk on his
pleasant road TO the farm A couple
OF fafmers-a rusy-cheOkcd child ana
an Old woman were chiefly those who
crossed his path. The old men badc
him good evening; the little girl smi'sd
at him. and the old woman as she
passed let fall with n Cldttcr the
bundle Of sticks she had been gather.
ing IN the wood. She was very bent,
very cay, and very wrinkled, her face
cucirclcd IN big rusty black poke
bonnet She was muttering ana moan
inE strange things to herself as Dan
Courtney passed her by.
But as her muttcrings grew more Ye-
hcmanl. he halted, threw her a coin
ami ~ passed on again.
Had he glanced round at the old
w!hcrcd poke bonncted woman, he
"tlll nave seen NllRN "a ga t'-' t'''
tened in her eye.
Il am very tired she mumbled,
"aud the bundle Is so heavy
Permit me TO carry it for you. said
Il voice, some minutes later in her ear.
Walden, for It was he, stopped and,
Notwithstanding her protesintions,
raised the bundle TO his shoulder.
Where do you live?" asked Walden,
keeping pace with her feeble steps,
Near the wood. came the high
pitched, slng-song reply Near the
wood"
You are too old to work
Bread must be baked and fires must
be made"
DO you live alone?'
Granddaughter Mary lives with me
now
Granddaughter Mary ought to as
sist you to gather the fuel for your
fire
Mays young and goes a-swect-
hcartin'"
when You were young did you 90 n
swoathcartiu'2"
She roddcd assent and hobbled more
brsky forward
show me where your home is he
said. Il should like TO inform your
granddaughter Mary that It would be
more profitable to her If she cared loss
for her sweetheart and more for her
grandmother
"'Twould be little use" quoth the
grandmother She's young and It's but
nat'ral'
Natural TO be thoughtless9" quericd
| the prince. Have you ever been out
OF Doyedale?"
| She shook her head.
Then Doycdale is your world" lie
drew long, long breath, as though
| the idea was sitting
-Four walls and bread to eat, nus.
band, and children to rear" cried she
What more do woman WANT
/ And you have been happy?'
Never 50 happy as now exclaimed
clear. ringing voice. and before Wal
don could recover from his astonish
mcnt the old dame. with a truly mar,
Vicious agility. had vanished whittier
he could not say.
"phrygia," called Walden. 0inginf
the sticks into hedge and followin.
the narrow side path PhrygIa mus
have taken At the end Of the pail
was small wicker gate, and pasan'
through It Walden came unexpected
~ upon low, matched, rosc-coyerc,
cottage
After waiting several minutes th
door opened and some one came swift
ly towards him. No other indeed, thai
Phrvgla-uO longer wrinkl"d. old AM
bent, INT in her most captivating O
summer attire; the simplest Of hat
upon ter bronzc-gold hair, and 'h
dainticgt of blue ribbons around he
slende, waist
Miss Dean" exclaimed Walden
bowing low, when will you cease T.
be everything that Is bewIldering an
enchanting
MIR. Walden" answered PhryGic
with n responding obeisance, "whc
will YOU learn to be anything but chiy
alrous and manly? What have 20
done with my kindlIng wood
IL threw II away to follow you
ITO follow me-
"To the end OF the world" he added
earn astly.
She coquctted n moment with he
ribbons and laccs.
M. Courtney must have arrived q
the fam by now" she said. 81 hop
Lavluil will entertain him NIGEL!
Shall We not go to Sweet BrIar too ?
Walden hesitated.
ION one condition, he said.
(which is"
THAT Dan Courtney returns to tow
this evening with Harry Bond"
rs that what Harry intends to do:
r demanded she.
Us he not a wise man."
, Very" she acquiesced. why q
!, you not return also?"
81 lack his wisdom truly, but cal
. not"
!, But IL it is my WISH"
- "If II is your WISH" he said.