The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1913-07-11

and hearty"
What train did you come on? Con
sarn 1t all. I'd have met you IL IL
known you was coming down today
Maria said yesterday that she'd got
letter from you. wanting to know could
you get board down here another sum
mer for you and your aunt But
| didn't know you was expected today
IL couldn't wait another moment
laughed the girl Aunt Phoebe Il
coming tomorrow with all the trunk,
and things. came down in the moor
train, and the stage brought me to tn,
house. but Nancy says Mrs. Flinde
has gone to her ethical culture club
! came on down here looking for you.
well, here be! Guess we might a,
well go along up to the house, Mis-!
Christine" He led the way. inten
tionally ignoring the expectant EN-
bryo farmer. But Hartweli was equa
to the emergency.
Introduce me. please. Mr.. Finder
he said humbly, and Ezekiel smiled
sourly and performed the ceremony
that made the sculptor acquainted will
Christine Davidson. .. .. t.t...
Miss Christine Is like a daughter I'd
me. Mr.. Hartwell." he said meaningly
as the girl released her hand from
Hartwell's clasp and turned away.
"And I am a plain farmer boy. and
I'm good" murmured Hartwell obsti
nately.
you're a sculptor and you'll starve
to death some day." was Mr.. Flinders
cheerful representation as he depart
ed for his own side Of the rail fence.
The next day he came once more to
the rail fence and watched Hartwell
raking the accumulated weeds he had
uprooted the afternoon before. ANY
time you say I'll bring Miss Christine
over to see the sculping. provided it's
all proper. told Miss Phoebe David
son about you-that's. Christine's aunt
and she said you might be worth in
vestigating." he observed, watching
Hartwell's face.
THE deuce she didv calculated
Hartwell. his face growing very red
"See here. Mr.. Finder; just keep all
these ladies away from my place
Understand" He looked quite fierce.
"Well. I'll be stumpedT' CALCULATED
Ezekiel. hacking off. "You confound
ed young puppy. you! ] don't believe
you dast show me none of your sculp
ing. I'll bet it's nothing but mess
Of mud piesv'
would you really like to see some
of my work." asked Hartwell with
outward seriousness. although there
were all sorts Of kinks In his blue
eyes. He enjoyed his verbal Skin
mishes with his neighbor quite as
much as Ezekiel did. and Ezekiel was
secretly proud Of the fact that a real
sculptor lived cheek by jowl with him.
His one lament was that he could not
boast to his fellows that he had seen
any Of Hartwell'e work.
Eyes. I'd admire to look at It Mebbe
I could tell you II 1t was good enough
for the soldiers monument know
something about art even II ! don't
belong to no hystericai culture clubs"
grinned Ezekiel delightedly as he
stumped down the path In the wake
Of the young man toward the bunga.
low. !f'
In the long. low building which
Hartwell used as bis worlxroom they
paused q moment. while the farmer
gazed around at the several groups
swathed under canvas coverings.
Smells damp In here" he said awk.
wardly as Hartweli removed the can
vas from a large crouching Lion model
ed In clay.
Lord love you. but he looks like he
would biter' exclaimed Ezekiel; then
he scanned the young man suspicious.
~. II scarcely believe you made that
there critter. You don't look like you
had 1t in you. meaning no offense."
Hartwell smiled and removed a wet
cloth from a mass Of modelling clay.
"Seeing's believing" he said cheerfully
and moved his fingers deftly, surely.
and with lightning rapidity. picking up
and laying aside modelling tool. he
brought before Ezekiel's amazed vision
a startling picture In miniature.
ASulubt u OdChStOuuu Va tVu5h Siuy
was a rail fence. Sitting on the rail
fence, one cowhide boot swinging non
chalantly over his clasped hands. was
Ezekiel Finder himself. looking like
an amiable scarecrow as he nibbled
blade Of grass.
Ezekiel stared. open eyed, open
mouthed. chngrined almost to tears.
"By gummyr ne breathed heavily at
last. ats mel"
"It is. Mr.. Finder" smiled Hartwell.
"Why. II Little River sees that I'll
be the laughingstock from Upper Ford
down to Stepping Stone! ] believe in
you. Mr.. Hartwell." he said earnestly.
II don't want no more proof. You're
as consarned a good sculptor as !
wanter see. only break the thing before
anybody sees it."
How about your dnughter?" asked
Hartwell, holding his hands above the
wet clay model.
eff I had one I'd make her marry
you Jest to keep on good terms with
you. Mr.. HartweIl Now. Miss Chris
tine isn't my daughter, but TIL give you
all the chances ! can to-
.v1,,,.o 100 iot. A. Eltnaor tv,&or