The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1883-09-08

The confused and indignant exclama-
tons which burst from Marys lips
ended in peal of laughter. If Marys
conduct was not sufficiently dampen-
ing, Mary's grimaces, as she retreated
to the farthest corner of the room, were.
For the first time in his life John did
not know what to do with his hands
and feet.
When Mary's enjoyment OF the
ridiculous had exhausted itself IN rng-
ing laughter, she excused herself, with
a shy look of concern at the red side OF |
his face, for her rude reception of him; |
and ventured to ask what his idea was
for dressing in his younger brothers
clothes?
..Miss Hepworth. said John, with
the sharpness of rising anger, ''do you
really think that /, John Redpath.
would come here in the character OF
my brother?"
mot exactly in his character, you
know. But, really" (viewing him
again with an ill-concealed SMILEY
''really, everything is too small but the
hat, and that's too big.
look here, Mary, no more nom
sense. haven't this suit on for moth
| ing. mean business; viii you listen?
Mary looked expectant and ready to
hurl another shaft of ridicule.
sYou must KNOW Mary, that I've
come to prefer my suit to your father,
said John, confident that now things
would be settled in a moment.
"Well, you needn't have come for
that, John" replied Mary, growing
very red, ..for l shouldn't give hair
of nv fathers head for dozen suits OF
yours" -
II mean you will let me urge my
suit with your father, won't you. Mary
dear?" persisted John, himself puzzled
and ready to talk plain country talk II
this last effort at formality failed.
1t did fail.
Mary placed distance between them
as fast as the room would allow. With
her eyes flashing anything but love, she
shouted across the room:
s'John Redpath, you are intolerable
and insulting! A moment ago you had
the kindness to tell me that you pre-
ferred your suit to my father, as If there
was a probability of his being yours
Now, you suddenly seem to have such
} contempt for your suit that You want
. him to rid you Of it, 1t is an unheard
Of"
..Hush, Mary! Dear Mary! Con
found it, Mary! It's all mistake,
pleaded John, rushing up to her anc
placing his hands over her mouth. -
don't meant mean--you know l wan
YOU, Mary-I mean the-my suit fol
you. my marriage, wedding-that kline
of thingr'
II "You have courage to present your
3 self as nv future husband in this skin
7 flint suit? No, John, won't MARI,
t you. As long as you don't show tn
sense and stability of man in you
2 outward appearance expect less from
4 the man within" replied Mary, keep
e ing her lover at bay with a severe look
I'll John bit his lips. 1t was his time +
: get mad at such womanish ignoranc
v Of mems style. THAT'S all you kno,
d about style, Mary. Wait till you Sc
the fellows ape me when 80"
r 20! one of the species is quit
S enough for me to lose my respect TO
e all. So don't pride yourself on you
e noble array of followers"
IS That arrow struck home. For
moment John WINGED perceptibly undo
e her witticism. Then anger got tn
y better of him.
n His look was annihilating as he salt
'e 81 guess you've got some other fello
in your eye, Mary?"
N Eyes, John, l have" replied Mar.
a thinking of the man she would lii
le him to be, and watching the effect I
her words with little pleasure.
h John WINGED. But he hoped the gol
- ring in his pocket might yet reverse h
N decision. "Won't you take this rim,
is Mary, and let that other goP" he be-
or ged, humbly.
"No, John, I'd rather have Il
Id other fellow"
e. 1t was said so very quietly and wit
Is such determined s.the other fellow,
T. that John knew there was no hope fl
is him. He would have liked nothlr
IN better than fighting his fortunate rivs
RI Swallowing his daggers which MAJ
ty his voice sound harsh and fierce
said:
III IF you'vegot some one else, / shou
ct just like to have the presents L ga
lg you when was boy. 1t means mi
al for good this time"
a Mary started. She was not qui
er prepared to make such sacrifice. BIZ
nd of course, Mary was too proud now
recall anything, and she really h,
w made up her mind not to have John,
1t. he stuck to his vanities.
he After q few minutes absence,
ce which John felt himself the most m
he cradle of men. Mary re-appeare
with her hand full of trinkets.
lis His hope that she would cry and tn
ng make up, as they did years ago, ]
sft ceived its death blow in the soft b
he determined voice in which she sal
ire "Here. John, is your iron thimb
your tin needle-box and your brs
w. ring"
". IAN right, Mary Hepworth. May
'se you'll be sorry for this. I'm goi
ID. straight to your cousin Sarah, wher'
ct, know nv suit will be more welcome