The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1913-11-26
The Farm Hand

Il Q0n see, lantne, WY SOu pc
sist In going to the country every
season" said Mrs. Montague. frowning
slightly.
Ianthe, a tall, graceful girl Of 20,
smiled wisely. II think you have a
faint idea why I go" she answered.
Mrs, Montague flushed a little and
looked uncomfortable. Well, | know
I'm fond OF Mr.. Dean. ind If you knew
him I'm u you'd like him, too. No
one can blame me II | want to see
my only child comfortably settled.
Some time, sooner or later. shall
have TO give up my little girl. and I
had rather give her to him than to
anyone else. He's a man everyone
likes and trusts. somehow"
Ianthe slipped her urn about her
mothers neck very tenderly. Il
know you think only Of my good,
mamma dear" she murmured. But
you won't have to give ME up for-oA.
a long time yet, l hope"
"Mrs. Norcross will be so disap'
pointed, Ianthe." said Mrs. Montague
after q moment OF silence. She has
set her heart upon your coming with
me-"
81 don't want to visit Mrs. Nor.
cross, mother-I might go If MI. Dean
wasn't such a frequent caller at her
home. And / do want to go down to
Mrs. Kingsley's again.
Mrs. Montague saw that it was use
less to say anything more. so she
quietly changed the subject, but there
was something strangely; like a
twinkle in her eye which her: daughter
did not notice. The girl was already
making plans as to her summer in the
little country village.
The following week found Ianthe
Montague at the Kingsleys'. 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 las always exploiting.
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, fne-looking young man, with a
highly intellectual face, was a strang.
er. lanthe looked at him frequently
in establishment. 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 car for James Clifford.
az don't know why | v came to
this place" sh9 told herself. in dis.
gust, throwing down the book on the
grass. n Wish ia listened TO mother.
1t would have been better to have
gone with her and met MIR. Dean and
no. It wouldn't, either. There's no
one Alike James Clifford, even if he
works on a farm. But l mustn't
think of him any more. Mother would
be So disappointed in me, and I owe
her so much"
Just then a step sounded behind
her, and turning quickly she beheld
the object of her thoughts.
~ have" something to say to you,
Miss Montague" he said, seating hir9'
self beside her on the settee. Miss
Kingsley has told me that you think
Of returning home tomorrow"
Eyes" she answered briefly. This
was an unheard-of-iberty for him, to
sit beside of her, and she tried to look
2dtspleased, but she made a miserable
failure Of It.
"You must have seen that l love
you, Ianthe," he began boldly, just as
ii he had been her equal. IF you can
only care for me a little l shall be
the happiest man on earth"
lanthe was silent. but she thought
rapidly. She must not listen to him,
she told herself. 1t would break her
r Others heart If she should promise
to marry James Clifford. Still heswas
a noble man. and she loved=7ges, she
loved him with her whole heart.
Are you angry, Ianthss' he asked
when she did not speak. Il under
staud-you don't care for me and"
lanthe looked6up shyly. 81 haven't
said did~n,t%care," she faltered.
rs it-possible that you care for a
poor mah7" he asked, reaching over
and taxing One Of the small hands in
his own.
1T makes no difference to me
whether you are rich or poor" she
sans wered softly.
I've something to confess, Ianthe,"
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