The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1898-03-26

:! MUSK " II Ouo luu0,
~zSS]fTsy where tall null
II VIfN berry.trees threw
r''. their long shadows
on the velvety grass.
Coming, Miss Nancy" echoed a
sweet voice.
And pretty Whey Mavis hastily
showed a gooseberry pie into the oven,
and came out on the back porch, with
its drapery Of pink and violet-cupped
morning glory vines.
She, too, gaze1 eagerly down the
long land, and soon the sapphire-blue
eyes sparkled and the pink-tinted
cheeks broke into dimpling smiles.
'It's them!" she cried. II could
tell old Dapple's jog'trota mile away. "
Whey had been up since peep Of
day, when the first touch Of pink
blushed in the eastern sky, and when
the thrush and the cat-bird were
thrilling their earliest morning peans.
She had MIXED the sleepy.looking
cows, their dew-lops still wet from
contact with dripping grass, and had
breakfast ready just as the crimson
sun was peeping over the handicapped
bluffs, lining the shores Of the great
Father Of Waters.
It was an extraordinary occasion, as
Farmer Mavis was going to the rail-
road station, twelve miles distant, to
bring home his only daughter, o.
tayia, from boarding school.
"Don't you bother yourself about
breakfast. Whey" sold the farmer,
good-naturedly, as he lighted his cob
pipe at the kitchen fire. II kin eat a
snack, and hev breakfast when we git
home"
But Whey would not hear to it, and
with her own hands she fried her
uncle's favorite pancakes, yellow with
eggs, poured his coffee, and set a
glass Of fresh. sweet milk at his plate.
Dinner will be all ready when you
get back, uncle, so bring a good appe-
tite," she said, kissing him good-by.
1t was happy family that dwelt at
the old brown farmhouse.
Farmer Mavis was good nature per.
sonifed, and Miss Nancy, the house.
keeper, was o weet-tempered old
maid; not so very old, either, 70,
youthful crinkles still lurked in be,
soft brown hair, and her cheeks were
as rosy as winter pear-main jus,
touched by the frost. She was q dis.
tant connection of Farmer Mavis, and
had kept house for him ever since the
death Of his wife, six years ago.
Whey was his neice, and was as
dear to him as on own daughter.
Great we're the preparations which
were made for Octavia's Homecoming.
Miss Nancy had secured tho windows
and make up the plump bed, with
fresh, lavender scented sheets and
pillow-slips, and the best homespun
coverlet.
And Whey had cooked a substantial
dinner-roast chicken and cream bis,
cult, new potatoes and green peas and
cauliaower, with custard and goose.
berry pie for dessert.
In the meantime, Octavia was on
the cars, speeding along at the rate Of
mile minute. She was sharp.
featured, thin-lipped girl, with ligh,
hair, and face as freckled as turkey s
egg.
II am going home to keep house for
my pa" she had said, ahectionately,
to her girl cronies. ''To-be-sure, he
has sort of relative keeping house
now--and old maid but I shall soon
set her adrift. I detest old.maids!"
In due time Octavia reached home.
She bestowed cool nod on Miss
Nancy aud touched Viney's finger-tips
frigidly.
"Mercy on this!' she cried, in thin
high voice, as she entered the house.
"Dinner at this hour? How horrid!
What ..does make pa keep such old
fashioned hours?"
Miss Nancy and Whey stood aghsst
ct this unlooked-for reception.
''We had it earlier than usual on
your account, Octavia," ventured her
cousin. 1--WE thought you might need
something"
"Need something, indeed!" shifted
Octavia, with sheer on her thin lips.
"Do you s'pose I've been starved
where came from? Besides, I had
lunch on the cars. I'm going up to
my room to take nap now," she
added. 1T will be soon enough for
dinner after that" and she swung out
Of the room without waiting for re-
ply.
"Wal, eli that don't beat ALL" grum-
bled Farmer Mavis, his honest blue
eyes expanding with surprise. "Ef
Octavy thinks we are goin' to wait for
has to nap afore We eat dinner. she