The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1886-10-25

AS the iaunty basket phaeton moved
slowly by, a bright. pretty face glanced
from it, smiling cordially at Khetta:
and then was overspread by look OF
sudden recognition and pleased sur
prise at sight OF Ralph Calender, who
took his hat off respectfully. Il
"Why, do you know herr? asked
Retta, amazed. -
II find I do. She and my sister
Sally became great friends two years
ago at Newport-or was 1t Nanan..
And Miss Porter spent the holidays at
our house the next winter. thougns
it must be she, when you descriDeu
her."
Ralph Calender paused and gazed
refiectively at the ground. lie was re-
calling that gay holiday season when
Rose Porter and his sister were the
bellies of their set. He could have
counted his friends by the hundred,
and now poverty does make
a difference, he thought. bitter
ly. All who had it n their power to
aid him had turned the cold shoulder
He was simply poor man seeking en-
plovment. and he felt at odds with the
world. Rhetta, grown suddenly shy'
pulled away the dead leaves from
mink root and said nothing. Newport!
Nahant! And people like the Porters
for intimate friends! 1t seemed to re-
move Ralpn far from her quiet. even
life, and to set him where she nad no
part.
The basket phaeton was now seen
returning down the street with It's
pretty occupant, who stopped her ponies
opposite the cottage with such an eyi-
dent intention to speak to Ralph Cal
lender that he at once went out OF the
Garden and stood in the road at her
Side. Rhetta saw them shake hands IN
the most friendly manner, heard Rose 8
musical laughter and sweet voice,
though she could not distinguish the
words; and in few moments more, 10
, her surprise, Ralph stepped into the
pbaeton, sat down by Rose, took the
, reins in his hands, and drove rapidly
> away, with q backward glance and
: smile. which to Rhetta seemed to say;
..She is an old friend, you see!'
. But when he did not come home to
!, dinner she thought it strange. ner
4 father and Aunt Dorcas made no com
!. ment, for Ralph had often been absent
: at that hour when seeking for employ
|, ment. Rhetta did not mention that NJ
Is drove away with Rose Porter, but
q neighbor, who had watched them
n came in during the afternoon and SPOKE
o of it with great interest. Aunt Dorca'
y at once felt a great interest too, ant
v Rhetta found it so trying to listen u
. their remarks and surmises that sht
4 slipped out of the house to her garden
,r and did hard wedding in her howe
o beds for two hours without sparing her
e self. But she heard every step tina
" passed by on the sidewalk, and knew
- that Ralph Calender did not come
"A The afternoon waned rcstlessly away
If He would surely coma back by supper
Of time: and Rhetta, in fresh gown
v with pansies at her belt, hummed litti
n songs as she moved about setting tn
he table for Aunt Dorcas.
h. Il wouldn't put on that dish {
in honey." said Aunt Dorcas-''not tt
w YOU see whether he's coming"
yo 30, he'll come, " said Rhetta; but 81
ly stopped singing.
ad Mr.. Wood came in, washed his fas
nd and hands at the sink, and sat down
m his place at the table. Aunt Dorcs
an passed him cup of tea.
la "Where's Calender" he aske'
ng looking around.
at "Why, haven't you heardp'' sa
Amt Dorcas. ssHe drove off with ko
rs Porter, and we haven't caught sight
al him SINCE"
m, "The Porters are old friends OF his,
eo said Rhetta, flushing up.
SO. s.Hum! humr' muttered her fathe
PIC as he drank his tea from the saucer,
au which he had cooled it.
lay Aunt Dorcas now questioned the g
SO as to all she knew about this old frien
ny shin. and at the close said. with an
ks of one who meant to do her duty by a
nat no matter how mercilessly, 1--WE
II like as not they'll make match OF
10 Birds of feather flock together.
.or Supper was over. cleared away, q
- all the dishes washed, but still Raj
~. Calender did not come. AS it gr.
20 1. dark. Mr.. Wood strolled of to cl
Ia with the neighbors, and Aunt Dorc
Gu putting on her bonnet and black $
ny shawl. went to the weekly prayer-me
rad ing. Rhetta, left free from CONNIE
tito went up into her little garden, q
b leaned against the plum-tree. Will
~ strange dull pain gnawing at her hes
ovo 1t seemed like days and weeks sll
ia Ralph drove away with smiling, pre-
= al Rose Porter. And she herself had
WOW gun to think of him as somehow
ssds own. That very morning. under
very tree. there had been in his lo'
he'd and in his tone touches OF tendern
Obi that had filled her heart with sui
Cal. happiness. But now it was all o.
in an instant she had lost him. X
ered Porter had taken him away, and tho
.R;g he might come back, he would me-
ana never be the same Ralph again.
the felt q girlish certainty OF that.
little bright dream was over. At
sha did not blame Rose Very p]