1896 



GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 



461 





>. ^pne of the iinconifoi table feeling 

 of misfitting clotbes, Fred passed a 

 very pleasant evening with his new 

 1 acquaintances. Mr. and Mrs. Buell 



had both been teachers in the public schools, 

 and had surrounded themselves, even in this 

 retreat, with many of the luxuries of life- 

 books, musical instruments, and works of art. 



" We have but little use for all these things 

 now," said Mrs. Buell, with a sigh. '• Our dear 

 child has no desire for the things she used 

 before she was injured, and music and art have 

 no charms for the rest of us." 



Fred saw that it was their habit to dwell 

 much upon their atifliction, and, taking up a 

 guitar that had evidently been unused for 

 some time, remarked that he could thrum the 

 strings a little, and would play if they desired. 

 Securing their cordial assent he tuned the in- 

 strument, and sang several old familiar songs, 

 selecting lively airs; and every nook of the 

 house was" enlivened and cheered by the music. 

 As flowers show a brighter hue in the pure sun- 

 shine that follows a shower, so the faces of all 

 present wore a more cheerful aspect after the 

 instrument had been laid aside, 

 and topics of the times were dis- 

 cussed with animation. Alfa- 

 retta listened with as much in- 

 terest as she would to any agree- 

 able noise, and would now arid 

 then sing her little song, "My 

 lover is on the sea." etc.; and it 

 was rendered as though there 

 was a sad wail behind it. She 

 was otherwise quiet under the 

 eyes of her parents; and any 

 attempts on her part to dub Fred 

 as '■ Mr. Pickerel " were prompt- 

 ly checked by Mr. Buell, and he 

 would bid her say Mr. Anderson, 

 so that, finally, she seemed to 

 forget the name so appropriately 

 applied, and to address him by 

 his right name. At an early 

 hour she retired; and when Fred 

 was shown to his room, Mr. 

 Buell said, "You need not be 

 surprised to be awakened early, 

 for our daughter will be out and 

 singing her song before it is fairly light." 



The morning song, however, when it came 

 wailing through the shrubbery, found Fred 

 awake. He had slept fitful naps, and dreamed 



:w_rt':-'v^^ 



httul dreams. The burden of them all was 

 Alfaretta. His generous heart longed to do 

 something that would recall the wandering 

 mind, and place it again in the realm of reason. 



The morning duties all performed, and Fred 

 finding his clothing dried, he was glad to get 

 into it again. 



Having made his errand known to Mr. Buell 

 the previous evening, the latter said that he 

 had been contemplating a day's outing up the 

 river with his wife and Alfaretta, and he might 

 as well take it now as at any time. " We can 

 land you nicely on the ranch, for Mr. Ghering 

 lives only three miles up, and on the opposite 

 bank of the river." 



Mr. Buell, however, cast a shade of anxiety 

 into Fred's mind by saying that he was quite 

 sure that Ghering had no apiary unless he had 

 recently invested in such live stock. "Seeing 

 is believing," said he, " and we can soon put 

 you where you can investigate." 



While Fred was waiting for the family to 

 gather at the landing he had time and inclina- 

 tion to view the surroundings of this sad home. 

 He observed that Mr. Buell had not been idle. 



MK. ANDERSON, I'APA IS READY." 



for the grounds were tastefully laid out in 

 walks and drives; and where they led near the 

 river bluff, rustic seats were arranged; rare 

 shrubs adorned other places; and the house, 



