The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1894-04-07

feet failures, for they are likely to be
simple too. But if she's smart enough
to have style about her, think shall
grow distracted. Henry is always per
fectly infatuated with style. That in
wolves the worst part of it; to be stylish,
one must be very sharp and clever. and
to have an air about one takes clear
head and artful scheming. Oh, I'll be
scared to death if she's stylish
woman!"
When Mrs Basset and her husband
entered the house, cordial welcome
was given her and a room prepared for
her upstairs. But her field of opera
tions laid below, amid the informalities
of household custom In conversation,
she skirted along the channel of her
thoughts and talked in ambush of the
subject that engrossed and tormented
her
"Mr. Whitcomb was born in that very
house, wasn't hep" she inquired, by way
Of challenging remark.
''Oh, yes; he was born and raised in
this part of the country" And as Mrs.
Basset moved over to the kitchen stove
with the iron in her hand, the door
shook under her heavy tread. Mrs.
Nhitcomb glanced Involuntary down
at her own light, trinity clad foot and
then said:
II suppose you knew him, didn't
you? Maybe you were together at
cuttings or singing school. or wherever
it Is the young people go for amuse-
ment?"
-'Oh, yes" replied Mrs Basset, smil-
ing broadly. ''My husband and l
knew him we'll We always called him
Little Whit, because he was somewhat
slight and never stout like the other
boys"
II have heard them say he was quite
favorite with the girls out here--he
always was graceful and had taking
way with him-and that in fact, when
he was quite young. he fell desperately
in love with one of them" said Mrs.
Whitcomb, in a careless manner.
They try to tease me about that now.
What beautiful tidy this Isl" and she
leaned over admiringly to coarse GRO
cheted netting fastened to the back of
chair. Then throwing herself lightly
back again she added: 81 suppose You
can tell quite story about it,"
about the tidy?" echoed Mrs. Bas-
set, in pleased surprise. "Oh, yes;
how could you guess? When l was
just fifteen years old had four grand
mothers living-two great ones, you
know-and they all knit that for me.
1 think all the world of it; everyone re-
CARDS it as great curiosity"
Mrs. Whitcomb was disappointed at
this result-albeit she was momentarily
startled at the remarkable incident
itself--and resolved not to make a
second mistake.
Indeed! 1t is certainly wonderful.
I'm surprised that you use it about the
house. But your having no children
makes many things possible. MIR. Bas-
set is such strong man! / envy him
when think of my husband. Henry
will have to stay here several weeks
perhaps, and how I'm to go back home
without him is hard to tell. But he
will meet some of his old friends again
when he is stronger. That girl he
especially liked-she is here, is she?'
she asked, complaceutly gathering in
with thumb and finger the ruffle that
fell about her wrist
THE girl? Oh. yes, she's here" re-
sponded Mrs. Bassett
II suppose she is woman nowg'
Eyes, she's a woman now, of course"
II wonder if couldn't see her some
time. have a great curiosity about
her. Oh, who is that?" and she sprang
TO the window. what fine rider she
is, and aoesn't she look splendid on
horse back? That isn't a country girl.
is it? She isn't that woman, is she?"
She started painfully and fixed her
eyes upon Mrs. Basset's imperturbable
face.
"Oh. no, that isn't the woman. But
she's from this neighborhood. though.
She's one of the Brockville girls; they
all ride"
''She's very fashionably dressed; she
unused Mrs. Whitcomb. Then she
blushed little and entered the battle
bravely.
us this other woman nice loOkingY'
Every one seems to think her good
looking woman. Mr.. Whitcomb used to
think So" and Mrs. Basset's iron slid
smoothly over shining napkin.
The disturbed wife wns fast losing a
calm view of the situation. She rose
and sauntered to a glass hanging
against the wall. saying with an hys.
terical laugh:
Papa ana aunt say that he only
married me because was pretty. But
I'm positively getting wrinkled now,
and Henry can't endure wrinkles. .
She looked in with a frown at the puck.
cred forehead reflected in the glass.
To herself, she was saying: ITO &c
back home and leave him here with
her, and / not knowing what she is
like-I can't do it! Silly unreasonable
child that ami"
''She is married now" suggested Mrs
1