St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1891-10-31


Eleanor ". +. Bates in Womaus Journal
IN A PREDICAMENT.
What Came OF Nelrs MASQUERADE
ing in Grandma's Clothes
In an casy-chair on the broad, old
fashioned portico that extended the en-
tire length of the rambling old farm
house, sat young girl. rocking leisure
ly to and fro: from the crown of her
head to the tip of her dainty slipper
told what she was-a city girl.
A slight noise caused her to glance
care!essly over her shoulder; a change
instantly swept over her face; the col
or left her checks and q look Of terror
crcpt into her eyes
In the doorway stood the figure of an
old woman dressed in quaint brOcade
satin the style of forty years ago. Soft
laces lay in graceful folds around her
white throat: her silky brown hair was
smoothed carefully beneath the dainty
cap trimmed with pretty lavender rib
hons: behind the large gold-rimmcd
spectacles pair of dark eyes twinkled
with merriment.
Grandma Parker" gasped the girl.
''is it you or your ghost?"
A peal of silvery laughter burst from
the woman as she flung herself in a
rustic chair. Neither, my dear Ethel;
don't you know your own sister,"
Il do now" faltered Ethel, a smile
taking the place of that startled look.
'What put it into your head to dress
up in that style?"
For want of better employment,
suppose. After grandpa and grandma
left, felt rather lonesome, SO l con-
cluded to go to the garnet and '6x up
like / did when was . child"
"A child, indeed. You speak a.
though you were as old Is Methuse-
lah.''
Il am eighteen and feel quite grown
mp Well, to proceed with my story. I
was up in the garnet, wasn't 1? The
first thing I saw was . large oaken
chest. the one we used to play house
on, SO took peep into it to see what
mysteries it contained. The first thing
that met my gaze was this"-pointing
to her dress Il thought l would put
il on and see if l did look like grandma;
everyone says l am the Giving image
Dorothy, she is SO superstitiOus and
would imagine the horses had run off,
or something dreadful had happened
and grandma's ghost was appearing
to her. But Dorothy was out, she al
ways is il you want her. You were
the only one left, SO tried the expert
lncnt on you. and from your actions I
think I succeeded. This is the way you
looked" And Nell leaned back in her
chair. rolled her eyes around in . man
ncr that was truly startling, and 1T the
same time exclaimed in tragic tones:
sis it you or your ghost?"
What torment you are! Perhaps
IL you had been in my place you would
hav. locked worse than I did. You Do
rcse nble grandma Where arc you 30
ing?" for Nell had started down the
crasel path.
just down 10 the hammock" she ~
. Cd careiessly.
Eleanor Parker Came9uA you shall
do no such thingr'
..Whv mott" questioned Nell. coolly.
''Somc one might see you and then
what would they say! The country is
such a dreadful place for gossip"
I'VE have been here three days and
not a soul has come near. or q ghost
either. almost wished they would"
'.What. the ghosts?''
ticntly. ''hOw can you be 50 stupid? 1
meant the neighbors"
"You should say what you mean"
began Ethel. severely, then laughed in
spite Of herself.
.'Good-by, Ethel" Nell called out
IF you get into any trouble, don't
look to me to help you out"
Don't worry. can take caro- of my
self. There" she exclaimed, rs she
settled herself in the hammock. ''that's
comfort, but what if some one should
come" She turned and looked to-
wards the house. ''No." she said,
firmly. IF go back, Ethel will laugh
and l never could stand that What If
anybody does see mel don't care."
But she did care. and glanced care
fully up and down the level stretch of
smooth country road
THE coast is clear" she muttered.
''I'll stay little while Just to show
Ethel I'm not q coward. In the mean.
time l will read. it will help to pass
away the time"
Opening the dainty little blue vol
ume she began to read. An hour
passed, then another. but still she lin
eered. fascinated by the interesting
story.
Poor Beatrice Earl she half
whispered. as she brushed the tears
from her eyes. THE author was right
when she said: The consequences of
folly seldom end with its originator
But how foolish am in staying here so
long. I'll so TO the house at once"
Just rs she was rising from the
swing a pair of strong arms were
thrown around her neck and q hearty
kiss was plauted on her red lips.
"You can't scare me, ] know who