The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1882-08-19
AMICE's WEDDING DAY.

Il
happened to lead through Sandridge-by-
the-Sea; there were many places where
l met with kind friends enough, who
were pleased to see the old peddler, who
had served them for so many years,
since they were children themselves
some of them, but somehow 1 liked the
trampto Sandridge best of all my jour
neys.
One bright spring day / came to Sand
ridge in the afternoon, and as ! neared
the place l stopped TO speak to an old
comrade of mine, who was breaking
stone by the roadside.
ssAny news up yon?'' asked, when
we had passed the time of day to each
other.
ssNewsr' he grunted, wiping his
mouth with the back of his hand; ''news,
you sayp Well. there's more news than
lcare for, anyhow" and then resumed
his work.
'sCome, Sammy" said, laying down
my pack, you're put out bit What's
upP''
whats upg' he repeated--he always
had such a tiresome way of doing that,
had Sam Penfold-"well, a billet's up"
whats that?" / asked.
.sWhy. just this: they amt got room
for the soldiersthat are quartered at Ley,
so they've handed them on to us; and
neither with your leave or by yer leave,
in stalks great six foot Teller, right into
yer house. with piece of paper in his
hand. That's his billet, says he. and
there stays as free as you please. whether
YOU want him or not
laughed at Sammy grievances, and
acknowledging my pack, prepared to
walk on.
..Going to Ben Ryder's" asked Sam,
with parting grunt.
Aye
''Then you won't get lodgings there"
he said. with grim satisfaction; che
got billet, too"
Somehow did not like the idea of a
rough soldier being quartered at Ryder's
house. though it was no business of mine.
Itdidn't seem just right of Ben toward
his motherless girl. but p'r'aps it wasn't
any fault of his. Anyhow, would wait
before | came to any hasty conclusion on
the subject.
Up the cliff toiled with my load, and
MS neared the top. Amice came out to
meet me as usual, but whether it was
fancy or not / couldn't tell, her face
seemed to look paler and graver than it
used to be. She wore her usual fish
girls dress of coarse home-spun; but
stuck in front of it was cream colored
rose, thing l never saw Amice wear
before in my life. She wasn't given to
frippery of any sort.
-. Come in, Paul." she said, holding
out her hand toward me. ss You're as
tired as you can be, I'm sure"
Just the same welcome as ever; but
there was something in the ring of her
voice that told me that l wasn't alto
gether wanted there that day. or at least
l thought SO. However, sitting down in
the porch, stopped on for some little
time. making her tell me all the gossip
of the village. OF course, the arrival Of
the soldiers came up among other things,
and by the flush that overspread the
girls pale cheek, as she told me this bit
of news, felt sure that the mischief was
done, and that Amice Ryder was heart
whole no longer
g Did your soldier give you that rose,
: my lass?" / asked suddenly.
For the first time in my life / saw Am
ice angry. She did not vouchsafe any
answer to my question. but, rising from
her seat, she turned abruptly away and
busted herself in the house, getting some
refreshment for me, which hardly de-
served after my impertinence.
As smoked my pipe peacefully in the
porch, thought it all over, and made
up my mind that it was nothing to me
if Amice had lover. Her father could
look after her interests better than l
could; only soldiers were such queer
chaps; they so often pretended what they
nevermeant, and was too fond of Am
ice to see her treated that way.
Suddenly, as sat in the quiet spring
sunshine, | saw man toiling up the
ascent that led to Ryder's cottage. His
redcoat hanging on his arm showed him
to be soldier His hat was off, and I
could see his face distinctly.
"Amice, Icalled out loudly, "Amice,
come here" Then as she neared me. 1
continued: "Is yon the man that is quar-
: tered here, at your fathers house?''
For moment she looked out little
anxiously; then said, quickly:
:. Yes, that's lam, Paul.
Without another word left her and
walked down the steep road within
short distance of the approaching figure;
then stopped dead and waited for the
man to come toward me. He was look
ing down on the ground as he swung
himself up the steep way. Suddenly he
raised his eyes and they met mine full.
All me, how his facA changed as he did
so.
"What do you want nowe" he gasped
Only to let you know that am here,
ana can guess the game you are play
lng'" returned. "As long As you re-