Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1886-08-28

rose cuttings, and double Genoese
violet; blue saliva too, and-Oh. Mr..
Calender look! There is Rose Porter
now, driving up the street in her pony
phaeton. Isn't she lovelyP"
AS the jaunty basket phaeton moved
slowly by, pretty, bright face glanced
from it, smiling cordially at Rhetta
and then was overspread by look Of
sudden recognition and pleasant sur
prise at sight of Ralph Calender, who
took his hat off respectfully.
why, do you know her?" asked
Rhetta amazed.
II find do. She and my sister Sal
ly became good friends two years ago
at Newport-or was it Nahant! And
Miss Porter spent the holidays at our
house the next winter. thought it
must be she, when you described her. !"
Ralph Calender paused and gazed
reflectively at the ground. He was re-
calling that CAV holiday season when
Rose Porter and his ster were the
bellies of their SET He could have
counted his friends then by the hun
dred, and noU-"Poverty does make
a difference" he thought bitterly. All
who had it in their power to aid him
had turned the cold shoulder. He was
simply a poor man seeking employ
ment and he felt at odds with the
world.
Rhetta, grown suddenly shy. pulled
away the dead leaves from pink root
and said nothing. Newport! Nahant!
And people like the Porters for init
~, "a frionIo oaarnaI 70
Ralph far from her quiet. even life,
and to set him where she had no part.
The basket phaeton was now seen re-
turning down the street with its pref
ty occupant, who stopped her ponies
opposite the cottage with such an evil
dent intention of speaking to Ralph
Calender that he at once went out OF
the garden and stood in the road at her
side. RheIta saw them shake hands in
the most friendly manner, heard her
musical laughter and sweet voice,
though she could not distinguish the
words; and in few moments more, to
her surprise. Ralph stepped into the
pbaeton, sat down by Rose. took the
reins in his hands and drove rapidly
away, with backward smile, which
seemed to say, ''She is an old friend,
You see!"
But when he did not come home for
dinner she thought it strange. Her
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 he
drove away with Rose Porter, but
neighbor. who had watched them,
came in during the afternoon and spoke
of it with great interest. Aunt Dorcas
at once felt great interest too and
Rhetta found it so trying to listen to
their remarks and surmises that she
slipped out of the house to her garden,
and did hard wedding in her flower
beds without sparing herself. But she
heard every step that passed by on the
sidewalk, and knew thai Ralph Callen-
der did not come.
The afternoon waned restlessly away.
He would surely come back by supper
time; and Rhetta, in q fresh gown,
with pansies at her belt, hummed little
songs as she moved about setting the
table for Aunt Dorcas.
Il wouldn't put on that dish OF
honey" said Aunt Dorcas-"not till
you see whether he's coming"
''Oh, he'll come" said Rhetta; but
she stopped singing.
Mr.. Wood came in, washed his hands
at the sink and sat down in his place at
the table. Aunt Dorcas passed him
cup of tea.
''Where's Callenderp" he asked,
looking around.
''Why, haven't you heardp" said
Aunt Dorcas. HE drove off with Rose
Porter and we haven't caught sight of
him since"
The Porters are old friends of his"
said Rhetta flushing up.
Hum! humr" muttered her father,
as he drank his tea from the saucer, in
which he had cooled it.
Aunt Dorcas now questioned the girl
as to all she knew about this old friend
ship and at the close, said, with the
air of one who meant to do her duty
by all, no matter how mercilessly:
well, like as not they II make a match
of it. Birds of a feather flock togeth-
er."
Supper was over, cleared away, and
oil the dishes washed, but still Ralph
Calender did not come. As it grew
dark Mr.. Wood strolled off to chat with
the neigbors, and Aunt Dorcas, putting
on her bonnet and black silk shawl,
went to weekly prayer meeting. Rhet-
ia, left free from comment, went up
into her little garden and leaned |
against the plum-tree, with a strange
dull pain gnawing at her heart 1t
seemed like days and weeks since Ralph |
drove away with smiling pretty Rose |
Porter. And she herself had begun to |
think OF him as somehow her own.
That very morning. under that very
tree. there had been in his looks and in |
his tones touches of tenderness that |
had filled her heart with subtle happin-
ess. But now it was all over, in an in
slant she had lost him. Rose Porter /
had taken him away, and though he
might come back, he would never.
never be the same Ralph again. She
felt girlish certainty of that. The
little bright dream was over.
At first she did not blame Rose.
Very probably she had loved him two
years ago. and had been influenced to
give him up on account of his power
ty, and now, regretting the step. had |
come to reclaim him.
''Well. can take my turn and give |
him up too" thought Rhetta with great
hot tears springing to her eyes. "Only |
can never drive after him and bring |
back in phaeton.
And at that she threw herself upon |
the dewy grass and went unrestra;nad.