The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1921-10-14
MAY MORNING
BY MoLLiE MATTER.
(@. 1921. Western Newspaper Union)

had anticipated, In his wish to avoid
close trains and the spring time vista
Of field and meadow, brought from him
no conscious admiration. Above all
things, was John practical, and this
journey but necessary factor in
necessary arrangement Of his life's fu-
ture plan. Jeremy Dawn, the success
full president Of the great company in
which John Towne himself had made
his way, was dead. Jeremy Dawn
had died several months ago; but John,
Installed as succeeding president, had
been too busy to seek the carrying out
Of the plan which his superior unfolded
to him on his sick bed.
The capable Junior member of the
business concern was well aware Of
the need of an efficient mistress In
his home. The pretentious building
that John had fitted for dwelling,
was to him merely a well ordered in.
stitutlon. Upon several past occasions
where he had been a guest at Mr..
Dawn's summer home, John had rec
ognlzed the value of q woman's hos
pitality and home management. The
poise and intelligence of Mrs. Jeremy
Dawn charmed him. John Towne pic
tured his future wife as just such a
woman, and dispaired of finding this
paragon of choice. Now, the wife that
Jeremy Dawn had named for him was
no other than his own daughter, the
daughter of this perfect woman. The
girl had been at college, John re-
membered, during his visits to the
Dawn's home but he had absolute con.
fidence In his shrewd old friends judg-
ment.
AS John TOwne reached the last hill
he decided, wearied of rough roads,
to leave his car in town and continue
the journey by rail. He drove up to
a girl seated on stile and asked the
way to the village station.
II have" John told her Grossly, "just
ten minutes to make my train"
THAT" pleasantly remarked the girl
In the red sweater, lis nothing in
my young life."
John stared, then he glared; which
appeared to the pretty creature in.
teresting but not disturbing. She con-
tinued the hum Of her song as she
started down hill. All at once, John
realized amazingly the beauty Of the
morning, that pink flowers peeped be-
tween green leaveS-that the girls
cheeks were rose pink too, that violets
bordercd the country road, that the
girls eyes were as deeply blue She
glanced back over her shoulder pres
emily, and smiled. John found himself
giving an answering grin. 1t was very,
very strange-it was undlgnified--but
he wanted more than anything to hear
her saucy speech again.
"As l am going your way" he con-
descended, II might as well take you
with me-"
The girl tilted her chin. Nobody !
asked you too, sir" she quoted.
With an impulse inexplicable, he |
sought to detaln her.
'You are on your way to the vii
lage" he persisted.
The girl looked demurely down at
her pail.
Il was about to carry the milk into
the farm house." she said.
AS he fingered a shrlll whistle sound
I'd, the girl turned to him.
"Your train has gone" she an
John TONNES Impotence had van
shed.
"There will be no other going out
Until tonight" he stated calmly.
II wonder if could persuade them
o give me luncheon at your farm
louse? / am beastly hungry"
The girl nodded in friendly fashion.
TITS a country appetite" she ex-
'lained, Il will fetch you sandwiches"
She sat beside him as he ate.
II would like" said John Towne,
to know your name" The girl
aughed, turning her eyes upon him.
a." she replied, lam just May
forming"
II thought you were," John agreed,
when l first looked at you, all rose,
md violet, and laughing sunshine"
She frowned.
when saw you" she retorted, 81
bought first of your distressing
Iumor"
Il was starting on serious Grand"
REUSED John Towne.
II know" the girl said unexpected
', you were going to see Mary Dawn,
o ask her to be your wife. l will
ell you something; you may save the
rouble. Mary Dawn is not in the city,
or she ran away-to avoid refusing. She
i'd not care to be handed over like a
ackage, you see, and neither would
on care for her. She is most unlike
er mother, whom you admire, and
be has old-fashioned ideas about love.
o y6@d better turn your automobile
round, John Towne, and be on your
'ay home"
"You know my name?" the man
sked, wondering, you know all this
how"
The girl smiled saucily.
"Your photos are all over my fathers
ouse," she explained "WhiIe I. N.Y.