The Lamar register., 1919-02-19
In Hayiing
Time
BY EVELYN MERCER

gloomy, nervous and irritable ever
since he came back from the outing
trip. He has no appetite. l hear him
grOdnlng In his sleep nights. He
won't mingle with the young people. as
usual, and he will wander about the
garden sighing and woebegone. There
must be something the matter with
him."
We'll, | have looked him over and
cannot ind the slightest trace OF dis
ease" asserted Doctor March. 1T may
be the reaction from his long tramp.
However. send him down TO the office
and will give him some medicine that
viii brace him up
Mrs. Grey was truly anxious for her
son. Six months out Of college, the
youngest OF three sons, his two broth
ers maj rled and settled In life. His
father was the wealthlest man In town.
their home model, almost luxurious.
Barton had free swing. far as
money was concerned, and his folks
had asked him to spend year at home
before choosing II profession.
To the office of Doctor Marsh he
went, as directed by his mother. that
afternoon. He fidgetted around rest
lessly while the doctor was attending
TO another patient. He looked bored
and ambitionless as the doctor. whom
he had known since childhood. sat
down opposite TO him.
Now. young man." he spoke. "out
with II What Is the troublef III
debt? The ghost of some college lark
I'm going TO give you some medicine
as matter Of form, hut II isn't medl-
cine you need"
NO. II would be waste" declared
Barton. Doctor, you're u good solid
friend, and am going TO make a con
fession. and ask you to help me out"
Good for you," applauded the doe
tor.
Il came across II girl. u young lady,
on my outing trip. whom | am going to
win as my wife. or die Of broken
heart"
Rubbish. Barton. But let us have
the details
There are none. ! saw her twice.
at distance. have never spoken
to her, but. sure as love at first sight
Is "a reality. she Is the only girl shall
ever love"
"who Is shef'
The niece of farmer named Dick
son, a hundred miles away from here.
She Is spending the summer on the
farm, working like all Of them. Dainty.
graceful. beautiful. she Is a being to
idolize. Her people are sturdy. bred
in.the-wool farmers who would scout
the idea OF encouraging her acquaint-
ance with an idler with only money
behind him. What | want you TO do
Is to tell my folks that need IA couple
of months of hard. practical work on
a farm. I'll do the rest"
Helpful friend that he was. with
quite q tinge Of romantlclsm In his ma
ture, DR.. Marsh entered into the plan
with Barton And the latter lost no
time In carrying out his plans. He
left home wearing a common, plain
suit of clothes. Two days later he
was Installed at the Hardy farm just
adjoining that of John Dickson. as
common laborer. earning per month
about as much as he had spent reck-
lessly per day In past extravaganza.
He had white hands. and there was
an air of dignity and manllness about
him, and the first time Imogen Wal
worth met him face to face she liked
him. She was the busiest mortal pos
sible. There was not part OF farm
labor iu which she did not engage,
seemed to love the exercise, and was
smiling or singing most of the time.
Doubtless. reasoned Barton. she must
be some poor connection OF Farmer
Dickson. But what did that natter
Had he not enough OF sordid means
for both?
II was when the two farms united
their working forces In haying time
that Barton at last told his love TO
Imogen II was on top of load OF
the new-mown provender that 1mogen
told him that she loved him, too. II
was during n moonlight stroll Just
after that when Barton thought IL
best to make a confession OF his real
Identity and prospects. And he would
up with
"And am so delighted with farming
that am going back home to tell the
folks they can settle us down for life
on q lovely old 16O-acre place we
own"
II ought TO Danish you. / suppose
for dsceiving me-" scolded lmogen,
-natu ssh,t ,,a,, havA haeame spn-