The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1912-07-05
The Farm
Hand

II don't see, Ianthe, why you per-
sist In going to the country every
season." said Mrs. Montague, frown-
ing slightly.
Ianths. . tall. graceful girl Of 20,
smiled wisely. II think you have a
faint idea why I Co." she answered.
Mrs. Montague flushed a little and
looked uncomfortable. "Well, I know
I'm fond Of Mr.. Dean, and II you
knew him I'm sure you'd like him,
too. No one can blame me II want
to see my only child comfortably set
tied. Some time, sooner or later.
shall have to give UP my little girl,
and had rather give her to him than
| to any one else. He's a man every
one likes and. trusts, somehow"
Ianthe slipped her arm about her
mothers neck tenderly. 81 know
you think only Of my good, mamma.
DEAR" she murmured. "But you won't
have to give me up for-oh, long
time yet, hope"
Mrs. Norcross will be so disap-
pointed, Ianthe." said Mrs. Montague,
after a moment Of silence. "She has
set her heart upon your coming with
me-"
IT don't want to visit Mrs. Norcross,
mother might go II Mr.. Dean
wasn't such a frequent caller at her
home. And do want to go down to
Mrs. Kingsley's. again"
The following week found Ianthe
Montague at the Kingsley's. Mrs.
Kingsley had been an old schoolmate
Of her mother. and for the past two
summers the girl had spent few
for going was that she did not want
to meet the man whose good qualities
her mother was always exploiting.
Mrs. Montague had first met him at
Mrs. Norcross' home two years ago.
1t was the hay-making season and
the Kingsleys had several farm hands.
Two of them Ianthe remembered see
ing the previous summer, but the
third, a tall. fine-iooking young man.
with highly intellectual face, was a
stranger.
Ianthe looked at him frequently in
establishment and wondered why a
man Of this type should have no
higher ambition.
At the end Of a month she began to
more than she should, and when two
months had elapsed she was Obliged
to confess to herself that she was
really beginning to care for James
Clifford. She knew It was shameful.
She, a descendant of family who
prided itself upon never marrying out.
side Of its own class, was actually
fond Of a poor farm hand. She de.
clared that she would thrust him
from her.
Picking up a book, she went out
into the grove back of the house and
tried to fix her wandering attention
upon its contents. But she turned the
leaves absent-mindedly, for her
thought refused to leave James Cliff.
ford.
Just then a step sounded behind
her, and turning quickly she beheld
the object Of her thoughts. In spite
OF herself a deep crimson mounted to |
her brow. It seemed almost as II she
had spoken her thoughts and he had
heard them.
81 have something to say to you,
Miss Montague" he said, seating him.
self beside her on the settee. MRS.
Kingsley has told me that you think
Of returning home tomorrow"
"Yes," she answered, briefly. This
was an unheard OF liberty for him, to
cit beside her, and she tried to look
displeased, but she made a miserable
failure Of It.
you must have seen that I love
you, Ianthe," he began, boldly, Just as
II he had been her equal. eff you can
only care for me little shall be the
happiest man on earth"
Ianthe was silent, but she thought
rapidly. She must not listen to him.
she told herself It would break her
mothers heart II she should promise
to marry James Clifford. Still he was
noble man, and she loved-yes, she
loved him with her whole heart
Are you angry, Ianthe?" he asked
when she did not speak. 81 under.
stand-you don't care for me, and"
Ianthe looked up shyly. 'T haven't
said-I didn't-care." she faltered.
"Is it-possible that you care for a
poor MANI" he asked, reaching over
and taking one Of the small hands in
his own.
"It makes no difference to me-
whether you are rich or poor" she
answered, softly.
I've something to confess, Ianthe."
he said, after p moment. There was
an anxious look on bis face. I'm not
what you thought me-" he went on.
I've deceived you, but say you'll for
give me-"
II don't understand" interposed the
girl In bewilderment.
I'm not farm handNmy name Is
James Clifford-Dean, the man you
didn't want to meet" he went on. 81
learned from Mrs. Norcross that you
were coming here and Il was not diff
ficult for me to guess why you didn't
care to visit her with your mother.
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