The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1911-03-02

!. 7. !. !. !. !. !. !.
Derby line, was sug-
II ENII gestivc mainly Of hard
-CkS%flA. work and small re.
,|T/E%S4ISh turns. 10 the ordinary
kD W w observer Its build
10 N}f1 EN lugs were small and
w -A12A AZ old and out OF repair,
NOC,1LV itg fences were sag
SSx.C/ cling IN places; the
orchard, long past It's prime. vas dy.
ing out, and the lack of money to buy
new trees had prevented fhe nlling up
OF tho vacant places But In spite of
all It's drawbacks. the barren, rocky
little farm WAS EIoriied place TO
John Barrows that day IN early
spring In the lfticr. for that dag
Jane Heath had promised to be his
wife. Jane had lived alone in the
littlo house IN the village. left to her
on the death Of her father and mother
several years before, and always the
families had been friends. She was
beautiful girl with tho glossy black
hair, the dark and sparkling blue eyes.
the firm apple checks ana the sun
shiny nature and uudalut"d courage
Of her Irish ancestors She had never
been afraid to live aloue-ncither fear
II possible physical peril nor OF the
mental attitude that sometimes Ia
more to DO dreaded oven than thieves
or wandering bCggarF. by people who
have too much OF their own society
ovor had disturbed her She possessed
strength Of character which she
herself did not realize but which, IN
promising to marry John Barrows.
meant that she gave him her unJyng
devotion
Sho had known John Barrows long
and Intimately the days when
they went to the little village school
together In later years. often she
had been a guest at the Barrows farm
house, wherein the family was made
UP Of John and HIS mother and his
brother Andrew Mrs. HarTowB loved
the sunnyfaced girl as n daughter
and Audy-Audy was the one source
Of apprehension to the otherwise En-
tIroly happy young couple An ami.
cable agreement as to the division Of
the farm had been reached. but lately
Andy had seemed moody and dcspond.
ent, and often he watched John and
Jane with Jealous eyes. 4 few days
before Johns proposal, Andy had
asked Jane to marry him, but she had
gently refused
Yes. know why you won't marry
mo. You're in love with John. He's
younger than !. and better favored,
and you've fallen IN love with his
handsome face But you're mine by
rights-as I'm the Oldest | should
have the first choice. oh, do say you
love mo, jane"
why, Andy, you know couldn't
say that, when you know do not
caro- for you In that way. I'm so
sorry"
Il don't want your pity. Even n
you don't love me. | love you enough
for both-Can't you marry me? Il
could fix II 30 we'd have all the farm.
and you need never want for any.
thing"
No, Andy, don't love you, and |
never shall, and I'm not going TO
marry you. I'm sorry you feel so bad;
can't we be frIends7"
"Yes, we can be friends. but even
II you won't marry me, neither shall
you ever marry John. Mark my
words"
Andy BarTows had nm Intimate
friend, Malcolm Thomson, close.
mouthed, crafty Scot. and to him Andy
coniided his troubles. Thompson con.
sidered the matter. then advised Andy
TO DO friendly to his brother and thus
lead him to think that he--Andy-was
reconciled, but to bide his time.
Plans for the marriage were dis.
cussed, and Thanksgiving day was de.
cided on for the wedding. The sale
OF Johns share Of the seasons crops
and livestock with the money-tbe
bank account dear TO the heart Of
every New Englauder-which John
had In the bank, would be enough 10
build the little house, on the opposite
side OF the field from the old one.
on which the young couple had cen.
tered their dreams. John was work. |
ing his hardest to coax the old farm
To yield. and hauling logs and lumber
IN odd hours for the new house and
outbuildings. One day. early in the
fall. the brothers were working In the
field near the house. The days were
growing shorter and Andy suggested
that he remain in the field, working
as long as there was light, and that |
John 20 to the house to do the chores. |
John agreed. and went to his chores
with happy heart. thinking that
Andy hadn't really been so greatly
after ali.
Mother" he said, as he brought in |
the pals OF foaming milk, 81 believe |
Andy's got all over being Jealous of
me. He's 80 pleasant and agreeable
lately that ! can't help thinking he
has forgiven me-"
He had nothing to forgive, my
son." said Mrs Barrows: but I'm as
glad az you are to see him In a more
l.1