The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1894-04-07
A HARMLESS LADY.
Why Mrs. Whitcomb Followed Her
Husband to the Country.

Hu9OauQ 10 Inc OOuutlys
The line of rail fence that divided the
two farms stretched far down the grass
green meadows, ending at right angles
with the more pretentious fence along
the country road. From the two cor
ners thus defined. the land spread out
in even broadening borders, and upon
each side of the dividing line embraced
q distant farmhouse in its lazy sunny
arms. In their soft colors OF green
and white, the two houses lay like idle
creatures sprawling in the sun.
The meadows glistened under the
floating light of an early summer morn
ing, and Farmer Basset, at the foot of
his fertile undulating field, stopped
now and then, with hammer in hand,
to direct long gaze of satisfaction
over his thriving estate. He was knee
deep in long grass. and under his great
straw hat was sheltered alike from the
suns rays and from ordinary visiof,.
But the outlook from under its broad
brim brought food of pleasure to its
owners heart. for he noted on the one
side the clean smooth floor of earth be-
tween the wiry stems of wheat, and, in
contrast to it, the weed-entangled
growth upon the adjoining land.
"Jinkerton!" suddenly exclaimed the
farmer. with surprised stare over the
fence. HAS Whitcomb come back?'
Two men could be seen across the in
tervening field. walking slowly about
the house. One was bent and was lean
ing upon the arm of the other.
"That's Whitcomb or it's his double"
he calculated again. II wonder what
1t means! The house is all closed"
With a sudden vigor he drove the
long nail home into the thick wood,
and, giving it another sharp decisive
blow, dropped his Ratchet into the bas-
ket and started in the direction of his
house.
Mrs. Basset had made the same obser-
walton from the kitchen window. and
met him at the door in all the citation of
discovery.
''He must have come late yesterday
evening, and he has taken the back room
upstairs"
"rd like to see the old fellow. If l
thought he'd be friends. I'd go over.
But he left here in such a mighty row,
and has never been back since-per-
haps it's better to let fallow land lie."
Hes married, isn't he? wonder if
his wife came with him"
Basset pushed the damp hat rim back
from his matted hair and looked at her
from his gentle blue eyes
s'rd hate to be offish with him
about old times, too. He looked kind
o. sick, didn't he? A man seemed to be
helping him around the yard"
He went about his work all that day
In disturbed meditation, glancing to-
ward his neighbours house, which still
wore the nncommnnicative aspect of
long disuse. Later, as he was return
ing from the orchard, he set down his
basket OF apples and stood with his
eyes fixed thoughtfully upon one of
the windows, whose blinds had been
partially opened and through which he
might draw some knowledge of the
silent interior; il was like an eye,
drowsy and half closed, but full of a
subtle intelligence.
He bent down with his hand upon
his basket again when Mrs. Basset
came toward him hastily. There were
traces of recent establishment yet
lingering on her face.
no." she said, 'Mrs Whitcomb is in
the housed"
! "Mrs. Whitcomb?" repeated the
farmers voice, uncertainty. 'Where is
Mrs Whitcomb?'
"Why, in the sitting room, to be sure,
Just at present She wants q room of
her own, though, to keep for several
days or maybe a week. You see. her
husband has something the matter
with his eyes, and the doctor would not
treat them unless he left the city and
came to some quiet place. He is run
down and nervous at the same time,
and his old home was the most con-
venient place to come. He brought mo-
body with him except a man servant
who knows how to nurse and take care
of him. They wouldn't let her-his wife
even-come with him; but she was so
anxious about him that she followed him
here. and,no as she can't 90 over there
in face of the doctors orders, she wants
us to keep her. She's q devoted little
wife, and of course / consented"
| Her husband patted her approvingly
OF the arm and prepared to go in to his
guest
In the meantime. in the Basset sit
ting-room stood a little woman attired
in jaunty sailor hat and dress OF
soft and flowing elegance. Her eyes
were directed toward the window and
upon the house in the distance.
1T is very foolish of me-" she wa.
thinking, land when Henry is perhap.
suffering. But l can't help it; after .
few days he win be able to go about
and he is sure to see that woman again
She may be designing sort of WON
an, for all / know. and may want tc
amuse herself with him; or she may b.
desperately in love with him yet, ant
he,. being weak and nervous and ir
such n stata Of health auvhoxv vvhy