The Opelousas courier., 1892-07-02

uaugnIef was iron
ing.
There was a moments silence.
"What ye wanta' was finally the petu-
liant reply.
"Aint that Joe Myers comm long
by old mar Wingate's2 Looks like i'm,
don't it2a
Foolish, foolish Mrs. Farman. Why
could she not have guessed that Rachel's
longing gaze had been fastened. from her
window, on that t~ell-tale white horse
and load of grain ever since they turned
the corner by the mill; that Rachel's
heart was beating thump thumpl thumpl
against her side while she answered care
lessly:
"Mebbe It's. Seems some like his
rig" Then, after q biz of silence.
"What ye want u know for, maj" as il
this innocent 81 eech could not stand by
itself.
30, nothing, " feebly. .Ain't We go
in t pick the peas ter dinner?n
The girl set down her iron with an in
patient thud that brought q dull blush
OF consciousness to her mothers cheeks.
lie said ye didn't want none,'' was
the sullen answer.
Mrs. Farman frowned into her dust
pan as she poked the broom under the
squat little stove. Really, Rachel
seemed to have no wit at all. The pea
patch stood at such a convenient angle
to the highway.
Things didn't go like that when |
was young the simple woman mused.
nFolks es' KEEP comply tell they was
be married an then they was married,
m no trouble'n' quarlin'. IT any rate,
twas SO with me an jeremiah
This was, indeed, the truth. The late
Mr.. Farman had found a most cum-
PLEASANT listener to his tale Of love.
Meanwhile Rachel went on slammino
her irons in the kitchen. Neither her
angry sweetheart, driving ii unhappy
heaviness along the dusty road, nor her
distracted mother, listening fer some
conciiiatory sign, could know that her
eyes were Too ffuias of tears to see her
work.
Mrs. Farman started suddenly In des..
peration as the wagon drew near. 81
got to train that roseblish by the gate
she muttered in self excuse, stealing
softly out of the door; 81 been goin' to
do it all summer. 1t looks dretful.n
Still she reached the fence without her
shears.
Joe had determined not to turn his
head toward the house; but, you see, he
had not counted upon the eager figure In
the tapping sunbonnet which leaned
across the palings and peered up into his
face. Il had long been a ~favorite joke
at the corner grocery, Mrs. Farman's
pursuit Of this eligible young man., and
be was possessed Of no special fondness
for 50 apparently willing a mother-in-
Law yet it would be outrageous rude
ness to drive past when any one stood
waiting with speech for him On her lips,
III it was Rachel's mother, and in front
Of Rachel's home. He must see what
che wanted, and he must stop old Jim to
listen.
ivy, how dye do, Mr.. Myersgu was
the FIRST remark, with a clumsy attempt
at surprise; 81 amt seen ye this long
time, How's your nasp
uShes tol'able,u Mr.. Myers answered
coldly, by 10 means appeased at this
polite address. He was not 10 the hu.
NOR for a go-beEWeen. aYou pretty
well, Mrs. Farmanaa
She chose to consider this inquiry ID
It's broadest sense.
ivy, I'm enjoyim good health, 7 the
honest soul rejoined, A'n til boys Is
leaI rugged. But Rachael she seems sort
, peaked this SUMMER. Don't eas
aothin' m don't cit 'er nat raj sleep.
I'm worried bout Rachel
The lines around Joe's mouth seemed
10 tighten. aBoneset teas good, = be re-
torted coolly and gave his horse a cluck.
Poor little Mrs. Farman madesa clutch
IL the gate railing. Joe I she said iii !
high, shrill whisper, await jest )
minute. / want to say someshin'. Be We
mad at Raclel21
"WelI, yc know WY, ef | be- roared
the injured youth, growing very red.
"a amt never been treated SO before 10
III my life. Made d reg'iar fool OF like
that When / take i young ladywith
superb politenessts prayer meetin' /
scn'rall expect { see er home. That
amt u1reasonableTn
tsOh, I know Re do walled the I'M
dappy mother, tbut Rachel does feel
fearful bad, joel T don't see wot ever
made or 90 OF that way with Ben Mar.
i'm. Most times, she woildnt wipe er
ult shoes on im. Ii does seem, sone.
sinaes as &c girls was possesEs
g Was not 1t Ill p~lacate1 BIZ her dis
tress.
Ma says Ne interrupted ii ! tow
srang raga that yon re crazy ter ths
atch % account Of our hoIdin Ill mos.
sase On your place. But she SAYS auy.
2dy could sec. with half I'D eve. which
Az Rachel was pokin uaess ahes
tiout right.
He slapped the reins upon old Jims
back and started on griualy past his
sorrog stricken auditor.
That amt So pleaded Mrs. Far.
sas, Wrlnging her hands. Then, driven
z Illuminating confession BIZ The exiuen.