The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1897-12-25


lcountably turning out to be there al.
ready.
"Oh! knew could persuade you to
let me come here with you, and ]
brought it." she said.
Next morning found Arthur in his
place ready to be examined; but, in
spite of his two former failures, much
less despairing-looking than before.
He certainly seemed nervous, and even
shy, and almost blushed If anyone
looked hard at him latter all, very nat
xral in a fellow who is known to have
been twice plowed before). But once
he got his papers he was all right. He
set to work at once; this time there was
no aimless reading and rereading Of
the questions, no wasting of time with
pens or paper, but prompt, quiet appli-
cation without any fuss or fuster. 1t
seemed as if Threena was right, and he
was to pass this time.
HE means business this time,"
neighbor said to himself-a neighbor
who had himself been up before, but
once only. "All the same, he need not
cut chap; and stood him a dinner,
the beggar."
This was one of those whose critical
stare had made poor Arthur redden on
entering. Poor lad, he had come in
with his eyes on the floor, as If he felt
that every eye was on him, and every
tongue was whispering: that's the
fellow who has been spun twice be-
| FORE"
All day long he did well, and knew
that he was doing we'll. And, when
the papers were given in, he gave his
modestly indeed, and not without a
blush as became previous failure, but
with a quiet confidence that this time
they were all right.
| He found his sister in their private
sitting-room at the hotel, gazing down
with an air of extreme boredom very
unusual to Threena, who was never
bored, being always well able to oc-
cupy her mind and time-gazing down,
say, on the busy river far beneath
their feet. Miss Tudor rose from her
seat in the window with unwonted
awkwardness, and upset tiny table
with her skirts as she did so.
"Confound the silly things" she ex-
claimed; and this again was very un-
like her usual gentle and ladylike way
of expressing herself.
my dear girl" laughed her brother,
II manage much better than you. ]
even lit cigarette as was getting into
my hanson just now. And when
wanted to pay the man went straight
to my trousers pocket for the money"
They suddenly burst out into roars
of CHEEKY laughter.
"Oh, my dear, your waist!" cried the
twin who had come from being exam
ined. "Your hands are all right. They
are nearly as small as mine; your waist
is libel.''
'And how did you get on?" inquired
the awkward lady, sinking her voice
with breathless interest.
"Excellently!" replied the young
gentleman. Il believe / passed IS per
cent. to-day"
'Thunder!" cried the lady; "don't
do that every day. / hope to glory they
won't smell a rat"
"Not they! How did you get ONT"
Him. Pretty well. did not wax,
till about Ill believe you showed some.
thing into my drinks last highland
then l pricked my nose against the pin
with which you had fastened your note
to my pillow. That awoke me. And
first of all, missed my trousers and
things"
Ssh! sh!" cried the gentleman; 'Tm
ashamed of you"
well, did miss them. And had to
read your note half dozen TIRES be.
fore 1 could understand why on earth
you had taken them. Then dressed
in your affairs and skunk in here. And
here I've stuck. / had breakfast here,
and"
"And smoked here too, 1 should i'm.
agine."
swell, yes, did have a cigarette OF
two. l thought of going out, but !
funked it. If l saw any lady knew, ]
knew / should forget and try to take
my hat off. And admit my walk is
not graceful. say, let's swap again.
And I'll take you to the play tonight,
if you like"
Certainly. Oh, forgot to tell you
AS l was coming away, two men,
Thompson and Church I think theil
| names are-collared hold of me, and
Oue of them said. Won oro a hoo,xv.
l stood you dinner and now you can,
so much as speak to me. I've good
mind to come back with you to your no.
tel or your diggings and make yor
stand me one l was just going to re.
sent his free and easiness, but saved
myself in time. Perhaps you had bet
ter really ask them to dinner. Only
will not show. 1t might be 'complica.
tions.'"