The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1881-02-10
s. ONLY A FARMER"

II 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 a panied
blush in her dark cheek. ...,+
II am sure, Ada. you need not COM
plain. You have far easier living at the
Hollyhocks than either mother or IT,
she said.
"Why everything need be so hateful,
| don't see," grumbled Miss Ada,
frowning under her faxen curls. "If
father hadn't died now. he might have
run along for years, until Dora and
we're suitably married, and kept up ap-
pearances SO we could have made good
matches. Now everybody knows we
are poor.
"And everybody knows we are hon
est" cried Dora, who still trembled at
the mention of her dead father. "We
ssttled'everything as honorably as pos
dble and came here to live, glad of
Uncle Alfred's offer-at least | was.''
Sand l am sure l was my dear"
said Mrs. Atherton with a sigh. Il
am thankful to have roof over my
head in my old age"
"Uncle Alfred was absorbed in flori-
culture and made pet of the place for
years. 1t is lovely here, l think" said
Dora, leaning to look out into tn bright
summer garden.
II don't care for flowers" returned
Ada, moodily. t" l can't make myself
happy with hose and watering pots. l
think it 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.
I'm not in the least like you, Dora,
with your notions of congeniality aud
similar tastes" burst forth Ada. "rve
taste for comfort and luxury and [
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
neard what fine fellow Allen Wat
ers was.''
Dora said no more. Her bright, dark
hee burned with indignation. She was
ashamed of Ada, grieved,. yet secretly
ulsa 10 make some excuse for her sister
Day by day Ada continued her COM
pants OF the Hollyh ocks. She was
miserable herself and she certainly
made everybody else so. While Dora
W, was as busy as bee, Ada moped herself
almost sick.
The little phaeton which Dora had
urlyen IN as a child was left the family,
aaa a at her mothers suggestion Dora
hifed gentle horse of a neighbor-
,ag isrmer one day and invited Ada to
There's lovely scenery along the
valley road. twill make a little change
,E you. Ada. Besides, I've bit of
news to liven you up"
Ada turned languidly..
,,;a Allen lien Waters is coming home,"
smile. ''' 'i''ohioSoAS
Ailer a moments thought Ada rose,
afayed herself in her prettiest driving
'Os'ulne' and entered the carriage.
W, Drive past the Waters estate, Dora.
" naa! ! a Fat, lazy horse! There is no fun
Th n aLlVing If you can't drive in stvle.
al I1fe' II now, see the Waters place. It's
"o,i. m expected it to be. There'd be some
tunllort t.al In living if one could be mis-
asss ,has there. It's no better marriage
not failed.n % - pop" n''o
AND. AND, with discontented lips and an
d,;usant dsant toss of the head, Ada was
usen ns past hay wagon in which was
" man in his shirt sleeves
tranl m1 glanced at the young ladies with
"anS curiosity.
)ow, p1d you bow, Dora? Impudent fell
sDsered nov he stared! Country folks!'
"A. bowed because he bowed to US.
snah sa lou would not have me repel
soua oa mere civility. He is probably
srss ua's one who knows us, though we are
strangers here" ''
Al aetest such people,"
sho uon think could detest anv one
loot 81 wore such white shirt sleeves and
sr,s ael 50 comfortable under a broad
csreIesS1., eli na. this hot day." laughed Dora
tbanI.th pI' the very next moment Ada was
pear1a aai u Tor the existence of "such
and sodple,a for the phaeton broke down
inn, INN with dismal scream, she timed
rOsasisar I ner seat and landed among the
Ts,oe Tba outtereups and clover.
s,onns, ae mud old fat horse Instantly
iorf fpea. fss Dora looked anxiously abont
loo looknses' kne'p. No house was near. She
rOaS. ea appealing up and down the quiet
hay wa waaaen-oh, gladly-she saw the
sbi,," wagon, q the straw hat and the white
~ aya'se sleeves drawing near.
Ownss ou , nave broken down. said the
~eAt u1SLilV inn, i