The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-05-20
The Farm
Hand

|
sist in going to the country every
season." said Mrs. Montague, frown-
ing slightly.
Ianthe, a tall, graceful girl of 20.
smiled wisely. Il think you have a
faint idea why l CO." she answered.
Mrs. Montague flushed little and
looked uncomfortable. well. | know
I'm fond Of Mr.. Dean. and If you
knew him I'm sure you'd like him,
too. No one can blame me if l want
to see my only child comfortably set
tied. Some time, sooner or later. I
shall have to give up my little girl,
and had rather give her to him than
to any one else. He's man every
one likes and trusts. somehow"
Ianthe slipped her arm about her
/ mothers neck tenderly. Il know
you think only of my good, mamma,
dear" she murmured. "But you won't
have to give me up for-oh. a long
time yet. I hope"
Mrs. Norcross vii! be so disap-
pointed, Ianthe." said Mrs. Montague,
after a moment Of silence. "She has
set her heart upon your coming with
me-"
II don't want to visit Mrs. Norcross,
mother-I might 90 II Mr.. Dean
wasn't such frequent caller at her
home. And do want to 60 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 a few
weeks at her home Her chief reason
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.
II 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.looking young man,
with a highly intellectual face, was a
stranger.
Ianthe looked at him frequently in
astonishment and wondered why a
man Of this type should have no
higher ambition.
At the end Of a month she began to
fear that she was thinking Of him
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 vpon 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 book, she went out
into the grove back Of the house and
tried to fix her wandering attention
upon its contents. Put 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.
II 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
sit beside her. and she tried 10 look
displeased. but she made a miserable
failure Of Il.
"You must have seen that I love
you. lanthe." he began, boldly. Just as
II he had been her equal. III you can
only care for me little I shall be the
| ""pPicCt Hidil VII edttu.
lanthe was silent. but she Thought
rapidly. She must not listen to him.
she told herself. II would break her
mothers heart II she should promise
to marry James Clifford. Still he was
q noble man. and she loved-yes, she
loved him with her whole heart.
Are you angry, Ianthe?" he asked
when she did not speak. II under.
stand-you don't care for me, and"
1anthe looked up shyly. II haven't
said-1 didn't-care." she faltered.
rs it-possible that you care for
poor man." he asked, reaching over
and taking one Of the smail hands in
his own.
ut makes no difference to me-
whether you are rich or poor" she
answered. softly.
Tive something to confess. fanthe"
he said. after a moment. There was
an anxious look on his face. I'm not
what you thought me-" he went on
I've deceived you. but say you'll for
give me"
I don't understand" interpcsed tire
girl In bewilderment.
I'm not a farm hand-my name Is
James CliRori-Dean. the man Won
didn't want to meet" he went On. ~
learned from Mrs. Norcross tina, ro,,
were coming here and It was not an.
ncult FOR me to guess why you didn't
care to visit her with vnur rnn.h.-