The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1897-04-10

might be -he better in the long run"
She awaited Cordclia's answer with
her usual sniff.
Cordelia crossed her hands and said
slowly:
Miss Field, 1 don't hold to colts, no.
how"
"To be sure-to be sure-to be sure
said the Miss Field. as if pacifying on a
subject upon which Cordelia was rabid.
Yet, all the same, the next week Miss
Field took occasion to remark:
Mis- Mo rrow seems to lock down on
all others as small potatoes, now her
husband lets her drive a blooded boss
to meeting-not that you wan to hear
of bosses, anyhow. Do you low as
your colt is as speedy as Deacon Nor
row's?"
1T is Joel's colt. not mine"
ITO be sure-to be sure. We'll, you'll
be at the camp meeting next SundayY'
This was prime cruelty. and Cordelia
knew it as such; for Cordelia must
either ask Joel to drive her there (Joel
never went to church or meeting). or
else she must ask a ride behind Deacon
Morrow's blood horse. Cordelia was
still Cordelia; but more, Cordelia was a
woman.
"Yes, I'll be there. Mr.. Brown will
be for driving me, Iguess."
ITO be sure-tO be sure. l hope it
will be profitable to Mister Brown. He
has my prayers. Some people do say
is how they don't see for the life of
them how you came to marry an I'M
converted man, anyhow"
There are conversions through the
heart, Miss Field. and there be only
conversions through the tongue, Miss
Field"
Miss Field FASTENED to inform her
friends that COrdelia, TO her mind.
was back-sliding for one of Cordelia's
pr~etensions, seeing how as she even
dressed different, to show different,as Il
might be"
Mister Brown-JoeI, l should like
you to drive me 20 camp meeting next
Sunday"
Cordelia had closed the spray; Joel
had laid down his boOk-he was dream
ing. Mother earth was coo! and sweet;
the scent of orange blossom was in the
air; al orange fell on the ground with a
happy little thud of content. Awhinny
from Enid completed the calm peace OF
the place.
joel was sensible that it was a grave
request.
Yes, l will drive you there, of course
-but-but Cordelia. | think that old
Betsy's lame; anyhow. if You kin bring
your mind TO it. l will drove powerful
slow-with Enid"
Enid heard her name and took a high
stepping little flourish round the pad
dock. Cordcl;a sighed gently and was
silent for a few minutes.
joel, l I'M minding if il does not hurt
you TO drive her, it will not hurt me to
be driven"
This was the nearest TO a love speech
hat Cordelia had ever made to Joel. The
barometer of Jocls humor rose CORE
spondingly-in fact, Cordelia had to
say aloud to preserve her own cOole qui-
librium: Men are that foolish. they
be no better than a hoy with a bag OF
nnts and Il new pocketknife, if any
thing happens to please them
Having made up her mind to it, on the
Sunday she dressed with more than
usual precision, as if to make up in
n%eatnesS and spOtless attire for what
ever of the vanities she might thus be
countenancing. Joel Brown was true to
his word. and as Deacon Morrow passed
felt quite comfortably sedate. Mss
Field was enjoying the back seat of the
dcacon's rig, and gave a friendly, pat
ronizing little nod to Cordelia.
Enid behaYed like the lady of high
pedigree she was. and beyond a shake Of
the name as the deacon went by, also a
suspicion of impatience at the slow
pace, she went to the camp meeting
most becomingly.
Joel Brown also behaved most be-
comingly when there, and allowed him
self to be alluded to as "a brand from
the burning" without the usual twinkle
at the orner of his mouth. Cordelia
felt she had passed through Il crisis sat
isfactorily, and no doubt would have
been her own placid self had not Miss
Field, with her little lisp and sniff, re-
marked, as Cordelia was stepping into
the buggy, that of purse she would
want to be getting off, SO as to get in
before dark; Deacon Morrow had no
call to hurry. rs the horse was hat swift
no doubt the deacon would pass them
on the road, SO they need not say good
night. etc.
The air was sweet and refreshing: the
first evening breeze waited over them
like a benediction; for the day had been
Il hot one and the eN~hortations ferviJ
Womanlike, with the grateful breeze
came a relaxation of her nerves., and
Cordelia gave vent to a remark most
''techy" for her after a camp meeting.
Miss Field car act as a~ggravatIng as
n spoiled cat"
With that she was relieved. And as
Joel tucked in her dress from the dust
and after awhile asked her if she didn't
think she had better have her shawl on.
Cordelia was at peace with herself and
the beautiful world again. wide good
road opened up before them for a long
stretch. Enid seemed to scent the Pa
cific breeze, her delicate nostrils eN-