The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1895-08-31


When tho 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 gaines of the
children, He made himself clurnsily
delightful. Soda water was unknown
in that particular small town, but Ira
did the next best thing. lie bought
bananas and chocolate drops with
reckless liberality which would have
made the absent Andalusia doubt his
sanity could she hut have been aware
Of his behavior.
the next AID the next The little visitor
with the fax-nower eyes and yellow
hair smiled divincly.
THE childrcn,: she '.,pnfided to the
agents wife, are having such h good
time. It 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.
mandcd.
lie grew red with ecstasy at the re-
quest. IIe 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 l,asturage. and
Daled hay, and discounts. Ira did not
actually dread Andulasia's return, but
he would have pre- fer red TO postpone it
indefinitely. TO be sure, they had con-
sidered the possibility of an engage
ment once, but he had never been
really ged to her. He never could
be now. 1t was only right she should
understand that. She was Il sensible
woman. She would understand that in
such matter man had a right to
please himself.
AS for Alys, was there ever such an
eye, such a hand, such a voice, such =
once met Alys walking home from
church with the lum herman. But
then the lum herman was only young
and good looking. 1t was we'll known
he was conducting the yard for an
English firm on a salary. To compare
Vail to him--l!arris- -vvho was SO well
fxed!" There could bc no comparison.
One evening in late summer, when
Ira was jogging into town, he settled
mentally all minor matters to his sat
isfaction. lie decided to whom he
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 lumbcr1nan to De present at
his wedding.
He disnounted at the post office,
which was also the general store and
tin shop. There was letter for him
"a letter from Andulasia.
DEAR IRA: Things is Ell upset Uncle John
died = week ago They can't find no will. and
I'm tired waiting for dead mems stockings.
Meet INC night after to-1norrow: Your
'AHDULAsIA STEBBISs.'
Harris smiled curiously as he stuffed
p lot TO, 10 i1,ly
ing of the Omaha girl. The next night
Andulasia arrived. She fattcr
than ever. Her Eton suit was crun,-
pied. She wore shirt waist. 1t was
voluninous 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"
"Up-to*n'' Miss Stehbins learned
several things, chief Of which was that
Ira Harris had transferred his aifcc
tions to Miss Alys Lane.
Half way home Andulasia said quiet
ly:
II hear YOU reckon to marry Miss
Lane
Her colnposure, the loss OF her ex-
pccted fortune. the witchery of Alys,
all gave Harris courage.
IL was figgerin' some on it." he
avowed.
lie drove Andulasia to her home, but
she did not again breach the subject.
lie went back to town that evening.
He met Alys at an ice-cream social BILE.
He gained grace of heart and pro-
posed.
She laughed gently.
Il am honorcd, Mr.. Harris, of
course she said. but always sup
posed you were engaged to Miss Steb-
bins. l am to marry Mr.. Vail at Oh rist-
mas
The following evening, Ira, feeling
depressed, went to call on
Andula STA. lie found her talking with
u brother farmer, widower with
three children. He asked to speak to
her Il moment a one.
Fact is, Andulasia,'' he said, Its
like that lily little thing. 1 must have
been kind Of hypternizcd. I'm sure
now it's you 1 want"
I've just promised to marry Mr.
Muggs. lie asked me last night be-
fore he found out what YOU know
what 1 know? Andulasia.''
Yes. The news that come in on the
noon train. about the will being found,
and me getting seven thousand dollars,
and
''Ardulasia!'
What tinc woman she was. Why
ha d he never noticed that fact before?
Its true" she declared trium-
pl, artly.
''Dut,'' he fairly howled, "I've been
meaning for fifteen years to marry you,
Then, why didn't you?" inquired
A Edulasia.