The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1898-04-02
y BY SIDNEY FROST. .
COPYRIGHT. 1888.

scratched on busily, and just as the
Ave Maria fioated out from the belfry
of the Trinita del Monte she gathered
up her papers and went to the window
with sigh, partly of relief and partly
of rapture over the sunset glow.
A quick step was heard in the corri-
dor and brisk, fair-haired little wom-
an burst into the room, finging dozen
parcels upon the table and herself into
a chair before the open fire.
my dear Margaret" she gasped, do
let me have some tea. I'm completely
done for. What do you suppose I've
been doing since dejeuner? You know
the Bronsons asked me to drive with
them on the Appian way. 1t was their
first experience, and / took wicked
pleasure in seeing the destruction of
their preconceived notions. The cap
tain was grimly silent-you can never
take him by surprise! But Mrs. B.
was moved to the warmest expressions
of disapproval. sand this is one of the
sights!" she groaned; do let us go back
to the Pin-see-o. Why, we have dozens
of prettier drives round Pittsburgh"
So to the Pincio we went, and then /
begged to be put down, and walked
over to Alinari's, where got the Ra-
phael photographs you wanted. After
that / simply few about getting prizes
for to-night's eucher. Tell me if you
think I've made good selection. The
first is this little bronze ST. Peter in the
chair. Isn't it perfect, especially the
toe? That cost more than meant to
pay, but it is such charming souve-
mir. The second is this paper weight
with the dying gladiator on top; isn't
II just too dear! For consolation
prize bought loaf Of good, substan-
tial American sponge cake. dare say
there will be sharp competition for
that if we had the sort of dinner we had
last night"
Little Miss Ives paused for breath,
and Margaret poured the tea while she
smiled at the recital.
''What else?" she inquired. "That is
hardly enough to have tired you,
Anne"
"Well," said her friend, II did lot
more, but first / must tell you a ro-
mantle bit of gossip Mrs. Hyde has just
whispered to me; and ii is about you,
my lady"
Margaret looked incredulous, but un-
disturbed. Her friends had a fancied
affaire du occur arranged for her al
most daily, but she was so unruffied
End placid through it all that they were
beginning to despair of her.
THE elevator had, as usual, stucx be-
tween the second and third stages"
continued Mrs. Ives, "and while that
stupid porter and several other equally
useless beings were making wild en-
deavor to bulge us Mrs. Hydeand had
a long talk. She asked me if l had no.
. ticed the young Scotchman at our ia
be. You know we did not speak of him,
Margaret, and / insisted that with his
tawny hair and mustache he ought al
ways to wear Tam O'Shanter and
shooting clothes-he is so exactly like
Blacks heroes. Now don't look so
skeptical, my child-he almost broke in
Two leaning forward to watch you
when you were talking with Capt.
Bronson at luncheon. Mrs. Hyde found
that her husband knew him; they had |
met in the Trossachs year or SO ago,
and this young Fairbairn confided to
the Hydes that he was desperately anx-
ious to know you. He said that you
were so like some one he knows at |
home-that is, your profile, not your
full face-and he is evidently fas-
cinated-"
Margaret broke into irrepressible
laughter.
my dear Anne" said she, "your
canny Scot is plainly just little mad.
No one was ever fascinated with my
profile. Don't you know that always |
make it point to give full face view
20 those of my friends whose good opin-
ion | cherish? How absurd! Besides.
have to serve as reminder of other
days; it is too much on the order of
faded flowers and locks of hair. Please
don't tell me any more"
Just this" pleaded Mrs. Ives, AZ she
rose, picking up her eucher prizes,
sacred and secular, "the girl whom you
resemble so closely is also Margaret.
and ii is this coincidence that has SO
completely bowled him over. 1 dare
say she rejected him just before he left
home. Surely, that would be interest.
ing?"
Very" replied Margaret, but what
is still more interesting, you have ex-
actly Is minutes before dinner. Don't
keep me waiting, please; I've written
eight letters for the American mail.
and am hungry enough to devour your
consolation prize on the spot"
As Miss Raynor took her place at the
table d'hote she glanced casually at
her new neighbor. Two seats beyond
her, chatting with an elderly English
nan, was the bright-faced. strong and
sturdy young hero Of Mrs. Ives story.
Margaret looked but for a moment, yet
he quickly turned and caught her eye,