The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1913-05-16
.FORVilUERECEIVED
Even a FarnIey Could Conquer
the PTeiudiCeS OF a Waite.
By GEORGIA LOTT SETTER.

and huddled into his fur coat. Wild
the disappearance of the sun I'll,
winter day seemed to gain rapidly
in chill and gloominess.
CHANGING up, he caught the futtel
of a woman's skirts at the side Of
the road ahead.
"Why, that" muttered Bob, "must
be that little Waite girl. Isn't II
ike old Mary Waite to send that
child to town afoot a day like thisp'
The Waites had always been hard,
close people, keeping much to them
selves in their gloomy, implanted
homestead at the end of the Pima
lane.
So when Mary Waite was left to
spend the latter part of her life the
last survivor of her family, no one
wondered at her living alone and
working the few cultivated acres Of
her farm as best she might.
But when it was known that she
had sent for little Molly Waite, run
away Bud Waite's only child, to
come and live with her, the country
side was agog with conjecture and
curiosity.
"She's almost helpless with rheu-
matism," declared the neighbors, cor
she would never do it. She wants
the girl to take care of her-you
can depend upon a Waite getting
value received" for all the charity
they give!"
"Bud has been dead over FIVE
years, and the girl has been looking
out for herself as best she could.
Well, baybe she will find it as COM
Portable here as she has been used
TO having"
All this passed through Bob Farm
Iey's mind as his team, with big
strides, gained on the little figure
n the road ahead.
The girl plodded on, indifferent
o his approach. Even when he drew
Up opposite her she did not turn her
read.
"Get in and ride" called Bob in
lis big, cheerful voice.
The girl muttered her thanks
Without stopping.
"But this Is Miss Waite, isn't it?
m Bob Farnley, your nearest
1eighbor. You can ride almost
ZONE, and it is getting dark fast"
She stopped then, and turned to
Iook at him timidly.
The honesty of his face was reas
uring, for she allowed him to lift
1er up over the high wheel and wrap
ler in the warm robes without a pro-
est.
"l'm afraid you will think me
very stupid or very unfriendly," she
aid then, with a smile. "But, YOU
zee, | am not used TO the country In
he city we do not accept rides from
strangers"
81 did not think about that" an
swered Bob, quickly. 81 thought
only about your long walk in the
cold and dark it is going to be dark
early tonight"
"This is much better, thank you.
But | never rode so high up before.
Pm not accustomed to horses"
Tarnley asked questions and list
ened in a sort of maze.
Oh, no, she was not at all lonely,
with the woods and the poor, half
starved winter birds, and the dear.
sOft-muzzled calves with their gentle
eyes. They didn't seem quite 80
nice, however, when they had grown
into cows with long horns.
Yes, she took care Of the stock
Aunt Mary was not able to get out.
And she had to walk to town be-
cause she did not know how to hitch
or drive the team; such ignorance
must seem dreadful to country
people?
Farnley took her to the foot of
the lane.
Perhaps you had better not tell
your aunt about riding with me,
Miss Molly" he said when he had
lifted her carefully down. "She
doesn't r much for our family.
and might forbid your riding again.
l go to town every Saturday"
"Aunt Mary" said the girl that
evening, as they sat in the dim old
kitchen, "who lives in the first house
beyond u lane?"
"The Farnleys. And the less Won