The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1881-02-12
/" ONLY A FARMER"

don't like the country, and
never would have come here but for the
chance of becoming Mrs. Allen Waters
that's the truth"
Her mother looked up amused at the
frankness of her youngest daughter,
and, as for her eldest daughter, Dora,
she sank back in her seat with q panied
blush in her dark cheek.
81 am sure, Ada. you need not COM
plain. You have q far easier living at the
Hollyhocks than either mother or J."
she said.
"Why everything need be SO hateful,
! don't see," grumbled Miss Ada,
frowning under her flaxen curls. IF
father hadn't died now. he might have
run along for years, until Dora and I
were suitably married. and kept up APP
pearances SO we could have made good
matches. Now everybody knows we
are poor"
"And everybody knows we are hon.
estr' cried Dora, who still trembled at
the mention of her dead father. 1--WE
settled everything as honorsbly as pos
sible and came here to live, glad of
Uncle Alfred's 0ffer-at least was"
"And / am sure I was my DEAR"
said Mrs. Atberton with q sigh. II
am thankful to have q roof over my
head in my old age"
Uncle Alfred was absorbed in fori-
culture and made q pet of the place for
years. 1t is lovely here, think" said
Dora, leaning to look out into the bright
summer garden.
II don't care for flowers" returned
Ada, moodily. - can't make myself
happy with hose and watering pots. l
think 1t would be better than this, with
the Waters place opposite. But Allen
Waters is away and the gates shut
against us. In fact there is nobody
here"
You calculated a great deal on the
society OF . man you don't know in the
least, Ada" said Dora, returning to her
sewing.
s.rm not in the least like you, Dora,
with your notions of congeniality and
similar tastes" burst forth Ada. "rve
taste for comfort and luxury and I
could love any man who could give
them to me. Besides" somewhat mod
Grating her violence, as her mother
looked annoyed at her extreme state
ment, "you know we have always
heard what fine fellow Allen Wat
ers was"
Dora said no more. Hor bright, dark
face burned with indignation. She was
ashamed of Ada, grieved. yet secretly
tried to make some excuse for her sister,
Day by day Ada continued her COM
plants OF the Hollyh ocks. She was
miserable herself and she certainly
made everybody else so. While Dora
was as busy as . bee, Ada moped herself
almost sick.
The little phaeton which Dora had
driven in as child was left the family,
and at her mothers suggestion Dora
hired gentle horse OF neighbor-
ing farmer one day and invited Ada to
. drive.
There's lovely scenery along the
valley road. twill make little change
for you. Ada. Besides, I've q bit Of
news to liven you up."
Ada turned languidly.
"Allen Waters is coming home,"
said Dora, with family mischievous
smile.
After = moments thought Ada rose,
arrayed herself in her prettiest driving
costume, and entered the carriage.
''Drive past the Waters estate, Dora,
What q fat, lazy horse! There is no fun
In driving If you can't drive in style.
There, now, see the Waters place. It's
all expected it to be. There be some
comfort in living II one could be mis-
tress there. It's no better marriage
than l ought to have made il papa had
not failed.''
And, with discontented lips and an
arrogant toss Of the head. Ada was
driven past . hay wagon in which was
o man in his shirt sleeves.
He glanced at the young ladies with
frank curiosity.
Ibid You bow, Dorap Impudent fell
low! How he stared! Country folksr'
sneered Ada
:" bowed because he bowed to us,
Ada You would not have me repel
such . mere civility. He is probably
some one who knows us, though we are
strangers here"
II detest such people,"
IL don think could detest any one
who wore such white shirt sleeves and
looked so comfortable under q broad
straw hat this hot day." laughed Dora
csrelessly.
But the very next moment Ada was
thankful for the existence of "such
people" for the phaeton broke down,
and, with . dismal scream. she tipped
from her seat and landed among the
roadside buttercups and clover.
The mild old fat horse instantly
stopped. Dora looked anxiously about
for help. No house was near. She
looked appealing up and down the quiet
road; then-oh. gladly-she saw the
hay wagon, the straw hat and the white
shirt sleeves drawing near.
"You hivo broken down." said the
owner, hastily jumping down.
Thank you, yes. The carriage
seems coming all to pieces said Dora
trembling from fright. "Could you
do any thing to helpe Ishould be. oh,
80 much obliged to your''
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