The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1895-09-14


have cared enough 10 risk that
When the train had pulled out and
was we'll around the bend, Harris, who
had fingered on the platform, asked
the agent to introduce him to his
visitor. The agent did so.
Harris joined in the games of the
children. He made himself clumsily
delightful. Soda water was unknown
in that particular small town, but Ira
did the next best thing. He bought
bananas and chocolate drops with q
reckless iberality which would have
made the absent Andalusia doubt his
sanity could she but have been aware
of his behavior.
He came to the depot the next day,
the next aed the next. The little visitor
with the fax-fower eyes and yellow
hair smiled divinely.
THE children" she .confided to the
agents wife, ARE having such good
time. 1t is all great fun"
She even thought it was great fun
when she went buggy riding with Mr..
Harris.
Take me past your farm" she com.
manded.
He grew red with ecstasy at the re-
quest. He explained alphabetically
many conditions of his property as
they drove by.
Three weeks passed-four. Harris
had several letters from Iowa The
contents of the letters were chiefly
relative to hogs, and pasturagc, and
baled hay, and discounts. Ira did not
actually dread Andulasia's return, but
he would have preferred to postpone it
indefinitely. To be sure, they had con-
sidered the possibility of an engage
ment once, but he had never been
really engaged to her. He never could
be now. 1t was only right she should
understand that She was sensible
woman. She would understand that in
such a matter q man had . right to
please himself.
As for Alys, was there ever such an
eye, such hand, such voice, such a
foot, such smile. To be sure he had
once met Alys walking home from
church with the lumberman. But
then the lumberman was only young
and good looking. 1t was well known
he was conducting the yard for an
English firm on salary. To compare
Vail to him--Harris-who was SO well
fixedr' There could be no comparison.
One evening in late summer, when
Ira was jogging into town, he settled
mentally all minor matters to his sat.
81 1AnfA4A 70 xnh1vr hA
would rent his farm, the kind of house
he would build in town, the direction
his wedding journey would take, the
brotherly letter he would leave for
Andulasia, and the invitation he would
send the lumberman to be present at
his wedding.
He dismounted at the post Office,
which was also tho general store and
tin shop. There was letter for him
"a letter from Andulasia-
DEAR IRA: Things is all upset Uncle Johp
died week ago They can't ind no will. AMI
I'm tired waiting for dead men's stockings.
Meet me night after tomorrow. Your
"ANDULAsIA SrEBBrNs-"
Harris smiled curiously as he stuffed
the letter in his pocket He was think
ing Of the Omaha girl. The next night
arrived. She was fatter
than ever. Her Elton suit was crum,-
pied. She wore shirt waist. 1t was
voluminous and not immaculate.
well, it's you, Ira I'm clean beat.
Put them things in the buggy while 1
get some sody and yeast uptown"
Uptown" Miss Stebbins learned
several things, chief of which was that
Ira Harris had transferred his affec-
tions to Miss Alys Lane.
Half way home Andulasia said quiet
ly:
II hear you reckon to marry Miss
Lane"
Her composure. the loss Of her cx-
pected fortune, the witchery of Alys.
all gave Harris courage.
III was fggerin' some on it," he
ayowed.
He drove Andulasia to her home, but
she did not again breach the subject.
He went back to town that evening.
He met Alys at an ice-cream sociable.
He gained grace of heart and pro-
posed.
She laughed gently.
II am honored, Mr.. Harris, of
course" she said. ''But always sup
posed you were engaged to Miss Steb.
bins / am to marry Mr.. Vail at Christ
mas"
The following evening, Ira, feeling
exceedingly depressed, went to call on
Andula STA. He found her talking with
q brother farmer, widower with
three children. He asked to speak to
her q moment alone.
Fact is, Andulasia," he said, tits
you want. l fancied for awhile I'd
like that silly little thing. / must have
been kind of hypternized. I'm sure
now it's you want"
Andulasia smiied-a peculiar smile.
1--WE just promised to marry Mr..
Muggs. He asked me last night be.
fore he found out what you know"
what know? Andulasiaw
eyes. The news that come IN on the
noon train. about the will being found,
and me getting seven thousand dollars,
and
"Andulasiai"
What fine woman she was. Why
had he never noticed that fact before?
..It's truel' she declared trium-
phantly.
but" he fairly howled, i've been
meaning for fifteen years TO marry you,
Andulasia!"
.sThen. why didn't you?n inquired