Under the Country Sky

as almost suppertime it was probably Mrs. Shear, who seldom made a call at any other hour, knowing she would as surely be asked to stay as it was sure that David Warne's heart w

into the snow. Georgiana did not believe that the lady was as unhappy a

stay. Somebody so evidently from the great world which seemed so far away from the old village manse-somebody who looked as if he could bring with him into this dull life of theirs all manner of interest-it was small wonder that in her present mood the girl should feel like this. And it must by no means be supp

the stranger in a low and pleasant voice.

ence. Then, though consumed with curiosity, she retired-as far as the door of the dining-room, where

evidently Mr. Warne was reading the let

this roof. My old friend Davidson has my affection and confide

have the room I should be very glad. I am hard at work upon a book, and I have come away from my home and other work to find a place where I can live quietly, write steadily, and

and I, but, if she has no objection, I should enjoy having such a man as you look to be, in the house. Your let

ana liked the frank tone of his voice. It was an educate

say, after the two men had had some little conversation conc

r found her. When he appeared, closing the door

g. "To have somebody in the house for you to talk with besides your everlasting old parishioners-why, it would

d Mr. Warne, a quizzical

dsend. His board will pay for sirloin instead of round. We'll have roast duck on Sunday

range details,"

ives. Not for nothing had been her years of college life, which had made, when occasion demanded, a quietly

en face, keen brown eyes behind eyeglasses, a mouth which could be grave one moment and humorous the next, and the air of a man who was accustomed to think for himself and expect others to do so. He was well built though not tall, well dr

more than commonly charming Georgiana,

ten, even for his benefit." But to him she said: "I know it will give my father much pleasure to have some one in the house besi

not like. My one serious antipathy is Brussels sprouts," he added, smiling. "With

nly mischievous expression. He was studying

y pleasant to me, but which I am denied producing for myself, would add to the things that give me comfort.

-when may I come? I have a room at the hotel,

upper," promised Georgiana. "But yo

ded Mr. Jefferson. "And it will have the cus

sted, and lighted a candle in an ancient pewte

bare enough to Georgiana as she showed it to him, but she told herself that there were possibilities in the m

rospective boarder. "If I might have some sort of good-sized table by

e when you come,"

hance to discuss with your father the probabilities in favour of your

make quick decisions,

Do you hold to

's part of fa

vermuch. By the way"-he turned suddenly-"that table you spoke of putting in my room-if it is large, it must be heavy

ughtful of you. But I am qui

p you now, won't

lly not ready to be moved. Do

had the air of a man accustomed to measure his time and to waste none of it. When he had gone

ulated energy. You can now lower the position of the indicator on the steam gauge to the safety point by spending the whole day

you get such a perfectly

ook. If it had not been that my old friend Davidson is always bringing people together who need each other, I should think it the strangest thing in the world that this should happen. Davidson is the minister of a great New York

and general turning upside down of the long-unused upper front room. In the course of her win

r name, cargo,

back: "The Jefferson, with a carg

at? I don'

busy to be spoken b

ing a "Good-morning, sir!" and the owner of the voice came leaping up the stairs and burst into the room without ceremony. He advanced t

se. He was a college graduate of three years' longer standing than Georgiana, and he, like her, had returned to the country home and his father's farm because his aging parents could not spare him, and he was the only son whose lack of other ties left him free to car

," complained James St

in. I can't tell a

hed up the window and slipped into the ro

looming face, frost-stung and smooth in texture as the petals of a r

s next door I'd understand your

o have c

ook he

at in th

you must know." Georgiana began t

der! Wh

's a literary person

s! Not the man

he hotel-if he could-for twenty

es Stuart, "is a-why, he's-he do

t, if you

a-well, I took him for a pr

ively. "Jimps! Isn't au

ks like some sort of a doer. He hasn't that dreamy expression. He se

imps. Think of the author-soldiers and author-engineers-and a

. How in time did he come to apply?" Georgiana told him briefly. Stuart looked gloomy. "That's all right," he said,

I shall see nothing of him except at the table. Heavens! don't grudge us an

ased if he wore skirts. And mind you-your Uncle Jimps is coming over evenings just as often as an

the morning sunlight, his arm waving a friendly farewell

oung woman affectionately; "w

labels which indicated that it was a traveled trunk. Shortly afterward the boarder himself appeared and was allowed to betake himself at once to his room, from which he emerged at the call of the bell, and c

as the supper progressed, and how delightfully the newcomer talked-and listened-for if he was an interesting talker he proved to be a still more accomplished listener. When the supper wa

awake for a long time. Just before she we

undoubtedly either married or engaged to be, and even if he's the freest old bachelor alive you are to behave as if he were the tightest tied. You are to go straight ahead with your work and to remember every minute that you are a poor minister's daughter with only a college training for an asset. He's very clearly a man of importance somewhere; he couldn't look like that and be an

tranger under the roof, with his clear, straightforward glance that seemed to see so much, his smile which disclosed splendid

one. It's such a face as a woman would remember to her grave, if its owner had just belonged to

eorgiana had another tone to take with herself. She faced her image in

ane about this thing. You're going to be the sort of girl whose mind no man can guess at. You're going to weave rugs for your life, and enjoy Jimps Stuart as you always have, and there's

were few and simple enough, but in every detail they betrayed a fastidious taste. And among the articles in ebony and leather which lay upon the linen cover of the old bureau stood one which h

e you?" she whispered. "I migh

he other's frown. "As for me, don't you see plainly? I belong to him. Else why should he

n stoutly: "And why should I care? Of cour