The Somerset reporter., 1908-10-08

alongside? We're most there. you
know"
He inspired confidence. Eleanor gath
cred up her torn skirt and with Dicks
assistance mounted the horse On the
way home the time was spent In ex-
planatlons He had much to tell of
student life in Germany. Now a full
iedged doctor, he had come home to
practice In the south. Her tale was
more simple, an uneventful life at
home. with Roxanna always guarding
her.
81 just don't know how I'll ever get
along without her. Do you know,
seldom even put hairpin in my hair?"
said Eleanor, with helpless, appeal
ing expression that touched Dicks
heart as if some tragedy had overtaken
her.
Don't you talk. | expect the ia
nous gardens Of the Ewing estate can
now go to rack and ruin for Abraham
will be home making love instead OF
welding the hoe" said Dick in mas
culine attempt at sympathy.
Eleanor was safely deposited on the
front porch, with her mother almost
hysterical In gratitude to their neigh
Dor.
81 may come again, please?" he said
as he extended his hand to Eleanor
provided, of course, that | don't have
to take hand at the garden" he add
ed, with some sarcasm
"Oh. do come over" cordially assent
ed Eleanor. 81 shall probably be all
pinned up the back and wearing my
hair in a pigtail. because without Rox
nnna-well, come over and see for your
self"
Dick was very busy the next day ow
Ing to the promotion of the second man
as overseer during Abnham's honey
moon. The underseryants resented his
authority, and Dick was at his wits
end to moilify them, assuring them that
Abraham would be back IN few
days and peace would once more reign.
Mrs. Ewing wept and said it served
Dick right. He ought not to have al
lowed the gardener to marry. The sec
Ond morning things were at a stand
still all over the place. None of the
darkies would work at all, and Dick
Jumped on his horse and rode down to
the cabin where the bride and groom
were Just restin' " as bridal trip.
when did you think of coming back.
Abraham" asked Dick as the tall fig
ure of the negro appeared at the door.
"Mistah Dick, | just been argun'
with Roxanna She say | should go
work for her folks. an when a mans
married. Abraham sighed
Dick Ewing was a true southerner
and would not stoop to ask favors Of a
negro. He wheeled around and half
way down the lane met Eleanor, sit
ting her gray horse as If born to the
saddle.
Good morning. she sang out mer-
rily. I'm on my way to beg Roxanna
to return to her old duties. My hairs
In a snarl, my shoes are losing all their
buttons and-well, | must have my
Roxanna."
Dick smiled. not without malice.
do come along and join me A
man always lends dignity to an attack
of this sort" continued Eleanor. And
Dick turned his horses head in the
same direction.
RoXauna was called to the door,
where Abraham had stood n few mo
ments before, and her mistress i'm
plored her to return. She offered the
same excuse that bad greeted Dick.
Miss Nor Abraham seems like he
thinks ought 10 work for his folks,
an when you're married.
Eleanor and Dick wheeled about and
rode down the lane at full speed. Con
versation seemed to lag until they
reached the spacious porch of the
Wright home.
Lets talk the matter over seriously,
Eleanor," said Dick. Il Eiay call you
Eleanor. mayu't l? And let's us 70
back to the old lime chumminess of
childhood"
Eleanor looked at the fence where
they had parted In anger-but she ac-
guessed
The other day as | was going to
that Internal darby wedding which up
set two erstwhile happy homes | stop
ped under the old apple tree by the
turn of the road, and | reached up to
gather some blossoms" began Dick.
Eleanor leaned forward as If listen
ing to an interesting story. "They
were out of my reach, and when
found that could not get them | felt
as If | had lost something which had
never really bech mine, yet something
which | had always coveted subcon-
sciously."
blush
so 1t Is with something else, Flea.
nor" he continued you are that