The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1907-09-19
A Way of
Wisdom
BY Addie Durham HuxfOrd.


again from Colorado as poor as he
went-dead broke, hear. Well,
didn't think he'd make his fortune
there, any more than he did in Aus
tralia; he isn't the kind that ever gets
to the top of the heap"
Farmer Bowden's tone betrays
rather more of satisfaction with his
own perspicacity than of pity for the
poor devir' of whom he speaks. 1t is
the way of the world, we all know, to
kick man when he's down"
He's been unfortunate, tbs true"
Widow DurrelIs voice is shade
more compassionate. though she has
profound respect for the opinion of
her neighbor and gossip, Farmer
Bowden. They say it's capital he's
always lacked to make his plans sue
.cessful; but he's willing enough to
work, so he cant be altogether shift
less"
He's been a rolling stone; no won
der he's gathered no moss. rejoins
the farmer, oracularly Il suppose
he'll be glad to get work at anything
now, for awhile, anyway" thoughts Of
sinewy Dave Albrook swinging the
scythe in his low meadows" running
pleasantly through his practical mind
Why, haven't YOU heard?' in sur
prise Just tinged with satisfaction
Miss Genie's hired him on her place
to take charge of everything
ing foreman, she calls it-you know
she oversees the farm herself. She's
got to have some one in Ezra's place
since he's laid up with the rheuma-
tism, and I'm quite sure that If Dave
steadies down and sticks to the bust
ness, he'll get into a good permanent
position; for I've heard Miss Genie
say that she intended to pension old
Ezra off as soon as she could get a
man in his place"
While thus her friends and neigh
bors gossip kindly about her Genie
Moray goes her way. serenely. fancy
free and Independent. being a law
unto herself. An only child, the broad
lands and fine blooded stock compris-
ing the prosperous dairy farm of
which she is the wise and happy mis-
tress, came to her from a careful
father
Nobody knows what bright, kindly
memories Of the old days when she
went to school with blue-eyed Dave
rise up in Genie Moray's heart and
move her 10 give him this good sltua-
ton on her farm, second in authority
only to herself: but she lives on sim
ply In the old ways, neither seeking
nor avoiding him, but seeing a good
deal of him, naturally. and being una
vOidably much in HIS company, as he
makes one of the family now
Her frequent iaunts about the farm
are mostly with him as a matter of
course, but there is a general stare on
the first Sunday when he accompanies
her and her mother to church, sitting
with them in the family pew But it
is done so quietly and simply there is
no room for comment. and as for
Dave himself his conduct is simply
irTeprOaChable; the more Miss Genie
gets to know him, so much the more
she likes and trusts him and approves
of his present course.
Till one day when he has been six
months in her employ; in fact, she
has just paid him HIS second quarters
salary, and he stands before her twist
ing the bills nervOusly together mani
testify i'll at ease. whereas light-heart-
ed Dawes natural manner is debonair
and well poised, without one trace Of
awkwardness. At last;
4 don't want to take this money,
Miss Genie; it isn't quite fair. for
think perhaps shall be leaving
yOu-soon'
oh, Dave" Miss Genies tone is
one of surprised remonstrance, with
a slight shade OF reproof You've
only been here one-half year and you
are doing so well; are you dissatisfied
in any way, or have you something
better in View"
Neither, but" another embarrassed
pause then he bursts forth in a
breathless sort of way: Miss Genie,
are you going to marry Mr.. Roberts?
Tell me truly, please."
Why, Dave!" Miss Genies face
Pushes a little. and there is fine re-
proach in her voice. 1t is not like
you to ask such very singular ques-
ton.
Il beg your pardon, but still, are
you? must know, because, if you
are"
He says no more then, but the elo-
quent blood rushes up all over his
handsome. sun-browned face, crimson
ing even the broad white forehead.
IF am, you will leave me at short
notice, l suppose" Miss Genie says at
last, quietly, so quietly as to suggest
some emotion strongly depressed.
We'll, Dave, since you have asked, l
will answer-no, | am not going to
marry Mr.. Roberts-for one thing, he
has never asked me-" She chooses to
ignore tbs fact that she has several
times STAYED off this gentleman In
way tantamount to a decided rejec-
ton, and that it is we'll known that he
is her devoted admirer still And If
he should ask, would have to say no.
That is all; your position Is in no sort