Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1919-03-28
In Hayiing
Time
BY EVELYN MERCER

N"psnEnt. lsl9. BY Western Newspaper Unlon.)
Inauguration. my dear Mrs. Grey.
pure and unadulterated imagination I"
Tut Barton has certainly been dull.
gloomy. nervous and lrritube ever
since he came back from the outing
trip. He has no appetite. hear him
grooming in his sleep nights. He
won't mingle with the young people, us
usual. and he will wander about the
garden signing and wocbegone. There
must be something the matter with
him"
"Wcll. I have looked him over and
cannot find 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
will 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 married and settled in life. His
father was the wealthiest man in town,
their home model, almost luxurious.
Barton had free swing, so far as
money was concerned, and his folks
had asked him to spend year ut home
before choosing n profession.
To the Office Of Doctor Marsh ne
went, as directed by his mother, that
afternoon. He fidgetted around rest
lessly while the doctor was attending
t" another patient. He looked bored
and ambitiOnless as the doctor, whom
In ho1 l-rD l,nx
down opposite to him.
snow. young man." he spoke. "out
with 1t! What Is the trouble? In
debt? The ghost Of some college lark?
I'm going to give you some medicine
as matter Of form, but it isn't medi-
cine you need.'
"No. it would be waste" declared
Barton. Doctor. you're a good solid
friend, and I am going to make con.
fession. and ask you to help me out"
Good for you" applauded the doc
tor.
Il came across girl. young lady,
on my outing trip, whom am going to
win as my wife, or die Of q broken
heart"
Rubbish, Barton! But let us have
the details"
"There are none. I saw her twice,
at distance. I have never spoken
to her. but, sure as love at first sight
is reality. she Is the only girl shall
ever love-"
''Who Is she?"
1.-THE niece of farmer named Dick
son, n hundred miles away from here.
She Is spending the summer on the
farm, working like all Of them. Dainty,
graceful, beautiful, she Is being to
idolize. Her people are sturdy. bred
ln-the-wool farmers who would scout
the idea of encouraging her acQuaint-
ance with an idler with only money
behind him. What I want you to do
Is to tell my folks that need a couple
Of months Of hard, practical work on
farm. I'll do the rest"
Helpful friend that he was with
quite tinge of romanticism In his M.
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 a
common labOrer. earning per month
about rs much as he had spent reck-
lesSly per day In pRst extravaganza.
He had white hands, and there was
an air Of dignity and manliness about
him. and the first time Imogen Wal
worth met him face to face she liked
him. She was the busiest mortal pcs.
sible. There was not part of farm
labor in 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 poIr connection Of Farmer
Dickson. But what did that matterl
Had he not enough Of sordid means
for both?
1t was when the two farms united
their working forces I'm hnying time
that Barton ut last told his love to
Imogen. 1t was on top of load of
the new-mown provender that ImOgen
told him that she loved him, too 1t
was during n moonlight styoll just
after that when Barton thought 1t
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 a lovely old 16O-acre pluce we
own"
II ought to Danish you. suppose,
for deceiving me-" scolded Imogen,
mildly, "bnt you have become so sen.
slble and practical that will forgive
you. 1t takes all the romance out Of
1t, for have fortune of my own, and