The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1882-04-15

| ID /" 40 PoSii'c pain W ioon ~ oAu hsocAa
to him.
Belle Lockwood, who sat next to Kate,
whispered something in her ear that
made her laugh. and then she caught the
eye of Bessv Birch. Bessy shook her
head, and Kate looked at her music, and
then back at Bessy again.
For long time she gazed. growing
more thoughtful every moment. Earlier
in the evening she had overheard some
one say: "Did you ever see a happier
looking woman than Bessy's motherp Or
a youngerP One would take them for
| sisters"
Somehow the words had fingered in
Hates mind, and now she turned and
looked at Bessy's mother. There she
sat, serene and smiling, every now and
then nodding to Bessy, as something was
said or done that met with her approval.
Yes, she was looking as young, almost,
as Bessy herself. And as Kate watched
her, she remembered that they seemed
always to take delight in each other Al
most everywhere, they were together.
Mamma is my beau" How often
she had heard Bessy say that! Some
way her own mothers sad, pale face
forced itself before her.
IF mother only looked like that" she
sighed; if mother would only be bright
and stirring and go about with mer'
| And then it occurred to her that she
had never really thought of that before.
She had preferred Johnny-the clumsy
lad that she cared no more for than any
other friend, only that she liked to show
her power over him.
twas not quite honorable. She felt
herself blush. If Johnny were to ask her
tomorrow, she could not marry him.
How much nobler and better Bessy was
acting! ~ fa5
And there was poor mother all alone.
Nobody to speak to, evening after even
ing, seldom going out, except to church
and so much prettier than Mrs. Birch!
Why, yes, prettier and younger-looking!
If only she had some incentive, she
would be mother to be proud of.
''How selfish have been" she thought
with a sigh.
"Kate! are you dreamingP Didn't you
hear them give out the hymn?" -
1t was Johnny who spoke, and Kate
almost resented his attention. He found
the place, opened the music, lowered
about her, till the girls cheeks burned
again-everybody was looking at them.
Johnny, I'm going home with Bessy,"
she said, at the close of the evening
"You take some one else tonight
Johnny stepped aside like one stunned,
conscious that something had offended
the girl-he could not tell what-and
" a xua llrnd hor,o he ~ o. -
Bessy's mother; for they passed Kate's
house.
doesn't Mrs. Raynor ever go out?'
asked Mrs. Birch, unconscious of the
sting in the question. cit seems as if
she would enjoy these meetings. You
see, Bessy won't go anywhere without
mother and so we enjoy all the good
things together"
With these words sounding in her ears,
Kate reached home and went in. 1t had
seemed rather odd to be without Johnny,
but she respected herself more when she
thought of his commonplace, even silly
remarks, and his often-recurring laugh.
Her mother had evidently been asleep,
and it smote the girls newly awakened
conscience to meet the weary, sad smile.
II never thought how lonesome you
would be-" she said, with kiss so ten
der that it thrilled the aching heart.
"O-well-Mrs. Grace was here little
WHILE" said her mother.
Deliver me from her societyr'
laughed Kate. g Nobody escapes her
merciless tongue"
1didn'texpect you so soon or + d have
had little chocolate. Did-who came
home with youP" 81
Bessy and her Beau" said Kate,
dentirely. rag
Bessy and whoP" asked her mother.
II didn't know any young man waited
upon Bessy." Gus
All, you don't know everything!
Bessy has the incest beau you ever saw
perfectly devoted to her, and I'm go
ing to have just such another. i have
done with Johnny" tt-s
"Well, you astonish me,' said Mrs.
Raynor, % didn't know as / should
ever be curious again. How long has it
been? / never saw her with anybody
but her mother" ~.
land that's just what meant said
Kate, her eyes dancing. 80 Mother, I've
been asleep this long, long while, and
Pvejust walked up to realize what I've
been dreaming about, and to feel sorry
for it. Do you know that am ashamed
of myself, because have neglected and
forgotten you. You are ever SO much
younger and prettier than Bessy's moth
er. and if you will accept the Office, will
have You instead of Johnny, hereafter,
for companion. I've walked up to real
ize that nobody does, or ever will, love
me as mother does"
80 my dear childr' exclaimed her
mother, with a half-sob,. taking her in
her arms, "this repays me for ali the past.
l have sometimes-no often-felta little
neglected and lonesome since your father
died; and tonight l was thinking what
plans ! used to make against the time
you should be my companion as well as
my daughter. And when l have seen
Bessy and her mother
Z" Well, no matter. Ishall never feel,
never think, that again, for the good
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