The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1910-10-27

ish," she answered hurriedly.
That's calculating" he said, smi
ling. But I understand" he added
In the afternoon King asked him II
he would like to look over the estate
Finally he turned to Wentworth.
mir. Wentworth you have full right
of way over the grounds, and I'll leave
meadow. and it is one of my pleas
ures to work with the men. I'll see
you later after"
IF there is no objection, would
like to go with you?" Wentworth
questioned.
King looked little surprised. Ger
tainly, there is none. 1t may be
worth your while, as you have never
seen, probably, the old way of NOW.
ing. Certainly, come If you WISH"
The field where the men were at
work stretched wide and golden to
the edge of the wood. The men were
working some distance in front OF
them. One OF them glanced back as
they came up, and Wentworth marked
the low, laughing words that passed
between them. They had evidently
sized him up as city Teller"
The old man picked up a scythe.
Its quite an art to handle one OF
these things" he said. as he fondled
it. 1t looks easy, but it is far from
being so. Moreover. it is the great
est exercise in the world-much bet.
ter than your gymnasiums, | imagine.
| have been at it many years." he
added, land am Unfortunately proud
Of the fact that the best of my men
gave up long ago attempting to beat
me in the field"
Wentworth lifted scythe near by
and swung it, 1T certainly seems
to be an awkward thing to handle,
but believe would like to try 1t
for while
King looked at him with a little
amazement, then. smiling quietly to
himself, said Go ahead; only look
out for the blade; it has way of en-.
tanging things once in a WHILE"
With the knowledge in his heart
that King expected to see him make
tizzle of it, Wentworth stripped of
his coat and set to work beside King,
who, with the long. clean stroke OF
the master hand. was sweeping the
grain aside in neat row.
Wentworth caught the handle and
the sharp, musical whisp of the cut
ting blade followed. King looked
around sharply, then smiled again. In
a little while Wentworth was up with
him. King glanced at him from un.
der his shaggy gray brows and swung
on Wentworth followed. The old
man lifted his stroke little faster
and drew away; Wentworth came up.
hard stalks caught up swifter
rhythm. A slow smile gathered on
Wentworth's face and slowly faded.
Kings wrinkled. muscular hands shot
the blade in deeper swaths and Tom
followed suit.
Faster went the old mans blade.
but Wentworth kept time. Slowly they
crept up to the men. slowly but sure
ly they passed them. Wentworth
caught the astonished stare of near
man and heard low voice eXclaim:
Great Caesar! See that dude go!"
An overpowering desire to laugh
took possession of Tom as he saw
the line of men bend with redoubled
energy to their work, determined not
to be beaten by such rival. The
strife became intense. Many times
was Wentworth thankful for his hard,
trained muscles and perfect physical
condition. They left the men behind
them and went on. His pace was
telling. Gradually he forged little
beyond King in spite of the old mans
supreme efforts.
Through the afternoon they worked
and Wentworth, muscles aching un.
der the long strain, but throwing into
them the old courage that had never
failed his varsity eleven in many a
big crisis, kept the lead to the end.
AS they walked up toward the
house Alice came eagerly to meet
them. Her father arrested her at.
tention first
why, AeheASA, INV lACu JOu lOOhs
was her anxious exclamation.
For the first time in her life his
answer to her was a grunt.
She turned wonderingly to Went.
worth as her father strobe by. why,
you look completely tired, too, Tom,
only less than father. What is the
matter with him."
We'll ask him later, sweetheart"
he said, as he tucked her arm under
his. 1--WE had the most strenuous
time of my life this afternoon, doing
battle with scythe." His face sud.
denly grew serious. "But | guess I
nave won"
"What?" she queried. interestedly.
"You!"
In the evening they were seated to.
gether on the broad veranda. He
told her of his experience Of the aft.
ernoOn.
Where did you learn to NOV ?" she
asked in her direct. simple way.
Alice put in two weeks on
farm down the river mastering that
instrument Of infinite toil-and !