The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1894-01-06

had very good prospect OF success lot,
although the prizes were open to all
corners, the majority Of competitors
usually belonged to the neighborhood,
where Nesbit was well aware that
Chance could not be surpassed.
His hopes fell little, however, when
he heard that the Dismouth dogs were
coming. Mr.. Sydney, their owner. was
q wealthy colonist who had within re-
cent years returned from the antipodes
and settled in Devonshire, and whose
pet hobby was breeding and exhibiting
dogs OF various kinds, especially New
foundlands, of which he possessed some
remarkably fine specimens
In the result, although one of Mr..
Sydney's dogs gained the first prize,
Chance, to the great pride of his mas
ter, carried of the second, beating two
or three others of the Dismouth kennel
Their owner was not present at the
show, but HIS manager, man named
Scott, whose speech bespoke north
country origin, at once offered NesDit a
handsome price for the dog. Although
the money would have been particular
" acceptable, however, he hesitated to
part with Chance, who was the chief
pleasure and solace of a somewhat
dreary life.
When, two years before, he had been
appointed stationmaster ut the little
village of Wheathope, everyone thought
that the company had dealt very con-
siderately by their disabled servant 1t
was true that the position was rather
stagnant for young fellow who had
been one of the most promising drivers
on the line and might have aspired to
the sScotchman" in time, but one arm
having been rendered permanently
helpless in saving railway horse from
being crushed to death more active
work was impossible.
His mates laughingly told him thai
station mistress would be required
and his sweetheart Cts made no doub
that he would at once ask her to FL
the post
But Nesbit was a prudent man. HI
knew that some savings ought first t
be laid by, and to make the house habit
able for q wife would completely ex
haust his little store, already heavil,
drawn upon by expenses connecte'
with his illness. He felt, moreover
that his health had been more seriousl,
shattered by the accident than anyon
knew, and that his appointment there
fore might at any moment have to b
resigned.
1t was not very easy to make tn
necessity for waiting clear to Cicely
who, though sweet and true and lows
BILE, had no great turn for economy an
forethought-
Marks anxiety for the future an
fear of dragging her down to povert
seemed in her hasty, impetuou
thoughts to be signs of cold indiffel
ence rather than of the deep unselfis
love which really prompted him, an
the uncertainty about his health. whic
would have thrown a light on his NEAR
ing, was carefully hidden lest heshoul
alarm or sadden her.
In the first NOR bid depression cons,
quent on his misfortune, too, b
doubted II he was justified in holdin
her to the engagement, and this fee
ing gave constraint to his manns
which she was quick to misinterprt
and resent
For his part, he attributed her in
patient asperity to want of love and
desire to be free; thus the misundel
standing led up to serious quarrel an
parting by mutual consent
Nesbit's new work. therefore, bega
under depressing circumstances ar
there was little in the way of friend
companionship to brighten it Sin,
their parting he had seen no more
his sweetheart. who had taken q maid
place in the south. Recently, howeve
tidings Of her had come through one
his old friends. Raine Shafto, who
wife was intimate with Cicely.
Her new employers, military peopl
had offered to take her to India in @
tober, and Shafto urged his friend
seek = reconciliation before it was t.
late
He believed that the girl was secre
ly grieving, and that only pride pr
vented her sending some token of !
nQnfAnNA-.