The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1896-07-25

most wild, besides. with q OF free
dom and relief. Her new black clothes
made Der look mighty Peart,' as the
women said, and she was the adored
and center idol Of every one, petted and
condoled with, cried over and appealed
to for advice and assistance in plan
ming the great funeral.
Never had quiet Edward Bailey made
such a stir IN tho world as now, when,
quietcr than ever. he lay in state in his
black coffin, one with solid handles"
The traditiona ceremonies werean gone
through with, the weeping, waiting, the
dolorous hymniEg of quavering voices,
the sermon, long and full of eulogy, the
farewell to the dead, at which Becky
tainted dramatically into her fathers
arms, md the slow walk to the grave
yard near, a long procession of the
country people following. 1t was all
over, and as nightfall came on the crowd
dispersed, wondering what "Beck wud
do jist at fust, an who'd git err" For
not one had missed Tom once at the
~"berTyin'" with his pleasant, iovial
face and smiling eye nor Marion
4aOOICf cAACnt anu MdECnAuAs lAOL Tic OlE
cunnel mussin' roun'." They had all
been to "berryin's" before, and they all
knew Becky Bailey. 1t was only four
years since she set the country mad
with her beaux and her fun and her
daring escapades. And now she was a
widow, rich, handsomer than ever. "An'
eff the ole Nick hain't let loose in these
pairits, I'm a COON" said her old uncle,
in the bosom Of his family.
In four weeks some one met Beck out
riding with the "cunnel." The news
went like wildiire. Aunt Dilsey went
over to see Beck. She found her in her
white dress, lying in a hammock, read
ing a novel.
Whatever are you doin', Beck?' she
said.
what please, and plum enjoying ii"
said Becky.
eyes. able to be lazy sighed Aunt
Dilsey, but 1 wouldn't go ridin' jest
yit."
Beck's handsome eyes smiled. 81
wud," she said, "do jist exactly what 1
pleased. I'm rich, an I'm free, an TIM
goin' to enjoy life, an yer can save yer
selves a power by shettin' up
"Then," said Aunt Dilsey, ''she curled
up like a young cat, an 1 cudn't get
another word out'n her"
The next Sunday night there were ten
saddle horses and buggies tied 10 the
posts and the fence. Beck never en-
joyed anything SO much in her life. She
treated everyone alike, gave them cake
and lemonade wine, laughed, joked and
turned them all out at ten o'clock, in
viting them to call again. But the next
Sunday night there was no Becky at
home, aud she electrified the small audi
ence at the Methodist church at the
crossroads By appearing among them
with a STRIPPING cousin of II.
During these days Marion Moore never
appeared at the Bailey house, nor
formed one Of the young men, nye, even
the middle-aged and old men, who never
failed to crowd around the young widow
whenever she rode into the country
town on Sunday afternoon. Being the
only man she missed, Beck grew FESTIVE
and n October day, when Marion was
clearing up a new bit. of ground for the
spring tobacco, she came riding down
the lane toward him, her black skirts
flying, her cheeks blazing and her
tendril-like curls all falling down from
under her black cap. He saw her COM
ing away of, and he knew the errand
on which she came, and he had to steel
his heart against her to hold his vantage
ground. Handsome, stalwart, brawny,
he rested on his AK calmly, though the
blood in his veins ran as riotousa course
as is a brooks after a storm. How Book
laughed as she drew up!
Il haven't been up here for years.
she said. Come over to the cliff, Marion.
Ill walk Black Nell"
II must work, Beck" he said. "Lift
isn't play all around, ye know"
(Which means We WON'T she smiled.
but l know yertwaDt to go, plum badl
Ye're playin' a losin' game, Marion, fur
l know by yer eye that ye're Jest the
same as We were" and she laughed. tan
talizingly. Don't think We can fool me,
Marion.
He threw his ak down with angry
vehemence and stood locking at her.
Il don't know whether we're a witch
or what" he said, hoarsely. II am jest
the same, Beck, an yer want to look
out. Ican't stand foolin'."
81 won't marry ag'in. I'm goin' to en-
JOY life" she Knocked. whats the use
of my marryin'? I've got money and
land and years of good times ahead o
me. What'd / git in exchange?"
Marion never answered, except by his
persistent gaze.
"Good-by," she said, presently; "ye'ra
in too bad a humor. Ye're takin' life
too serious, Marion. There's more,n
gray skies above my head. Give me the
blue ones" Then she galloped away t.
the bluffs and Marion's temple OF ma
ture, high in the woods above the
river. He half fancied she would come
back his way; but no. The afternoon
wore away, and no 1.-THE, slim figure on
a black mare appeared on his horizon.
So she knew, and, since she knew
she Knocked him. Well, he had always
loved the brier rose. How could he tame
this untamable tigress, this guesser Of
mems secrets and mocker Of mems