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' One thing he noticed, however: He T
"was eating with an appetite now, a
-'rarity for ten years past.
Another discovery was the fact
that his mind acquired a new vigor
iin a healthful groove. Where before
lousiness and its driving cares had
been all absorbing, he commenced to
a take a rare, interest in. his surfound-
dfce ings and in humanity in general.
e Walter envied the ruddy, health and
strength of the owner of some little
farm where he stopped for a drink of
water or a meal. The singing brooks,
the 'happy birds, the blooming flow-
. ers, charmed him. His mind grew se-
' rene, his soul clarified.
"One evening he was belated by a
storm between towns. He remained
within the shelter of a mountain cave
till the rain had passed on. It was
after midnight when he reached a
railroad junction. It was to view a
.novel and unaccustomed spectacle.
Local freight trains were standing
on different tracks, headed in vari-
ous directions. Lanterns were flash
ing everywhere,, and the scene was
one of extraordinary activity, AH
kinds of vehicles were standing be
side "the cars, unloading their con
tents, long, low boxes, nailed tightly
and handled with oare.
There must have been 500 vehicles
'lined; up reat vans, buggies, sur
reys, farm produce wagons, Each
driver, when he unloaded his wagon
was given a receipt by some one of
numerous gents who received the
freight
"What is In those boxes?' Walter
juventured to ask.
"Strawberries," was the explana-
ti6n. "Within eighteen hours they
A w-will be .on the home tables of -every
'2 big city in the middle west,"
Then Walter knew that he was at
the main shipping point of the great--xest
berry producing section in the
Ycountry,
f One old woman with only two cas
hes e&rried them to the cars with' the
-flaiA of her aged husband. Two boys
Jifcdd carried their boxes in a. little
wagon to which was attached two
dogs, Walter experienced renewW
interest as he saw a common hahd
cart appear. A girl navigated it, a
strap running harnesslike from the
propelling handles across her shape
ly shoulders. "
In the weird, flickering light ahdut
her was a rare picture of eartfSfet,
healthful industry. There waW a
cheery token of duty and vitalifa$Pin
her beautiful face that enchanted
Walter. He aBked a man who tine
was. ns
"That's Netta Oliver," was tbee
sponse. "The sweetest lassie oa
Beaver creek. Her father and ntelh
er are both in and she4 has buckled
down to keeping the flour bfflrel
full, like the Jewel she is." ra
Walter stopped at a hotel fiat
night He could not get the face
and name of the girl he had seenPiut
of his mind. The next day he ftade
some further inquiries About thetf&li-
ver family. He found that theyfwere
too poor to afford a horse and tf Hgbn.
He pitied the girl, who night "Sfter
flight did the service of a beastfof
burden, dragging the raoketty ht&d
cart over the uneven country re&a
He made a whimsical resolve. iPwo
mornings later, seated In a stttut,
light wagon with a .sturdy horseaat
tached, he drove into the yard of the
little 20-acre farm where Netta Oli
ver lived.
She was among the vines, wearing
a neat, cover-all apron. Her radiant
eyes somewhat abashed him as he
asked for Tier father. He foun&She
latter and his wife seated comforta
bly on the porch ofthe little cottage,
convalescing, from an attack) of chills
and fever. 3
"I've heard of you, Mr. i Oliver,"
spoke Walter. "I am an invalid in
quest of health. I like thisj-efot
Could you board me for a few
weeks?" , -
And then Walter went on' totell
that he had a little money, but that
he would give the rig he had bought
for a month's board.
