The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1898-01-22
Said kathryn, some three months

III ndQ sister anu uoIscs DLiuB
the two into some sort of agreeable
connection or I'd set myself up for >
model of selfishness."
Him! Would you really ride behind
the despised 'goat?"
s'Since she's been clipped she seems
to have regained her youth. She's all
most coltish."
"But would you?-do you mean it?"
IF / had chance"
"In the beginning I made resolu-
ton that nobody, save myself, should
ever drive Flora
Break It."
never break vow. There is ono
other way out of the difficulty. I'll
take it to prove I'm not as selfish az
you think"
Kathryn smiled graciously and re.
sumed her embroidery, but that after.
noon she was invited to drive.
Leaving mother at homer
Taking mother with us!"
81 don't understand"
"Look out Of the window"
There stood Flora, appearing very
gay and youthful in new russet har.
ness, before two-seated blackboard.
my sake! The whole turnout is
symphony in browns! How swell!
And-whose
'Mine. Will you go?"
"Won't ~"
Barbara, my daughter! Have you
mortgaged all your small forune to this
horse?" demanded Mrs. Belts, as Flora
gayly SKINNED over the ground with
three admiring women behind her.
"Aunt Mary's legacy has gone into
this rig!"
"Oh. then, you'll have nothing left to
sacrifice"
"Only myself"
you'll be sold next. Or Flora, to
pay for herself"
IF she is win be. Whoever takes
one must the other"
at is clear infatuation and-ruin."
"It is pure affection"
"Stuff."
When that drive was over Miss Bar.
bara had a visitor. This was unusual.
The more so that the visitor was gen.
tleman. The maid ran out to the stable
where Bah was putting Flora to bed,
and announced: There's man wants
to see you, miss"
All the male acquaintances she had
formed since coming to Belleville were
connected with Flora's-or the family's
requirements. This was probably
the s'feed man" with another bill. The
young woman's lips took on their most
soft expression.
"Well, I'm completely bankrupt.
But Flora shall not starye If do. Her
appetite, though, is something fright
full. However, send the fellow out
here"
Flora was never allowed to retire ex-
cept in the trimmest order, with name
in "crimps" and every hair exact. Miss
Barbara did>not relax in her attentions
for so slight thing as call and prob
able dun. Her face was grim and eyes
averted till a masculine football and
"Aheml" compelled consideration.
Then she did look up, indeed, and
screamed: "Oh, my-you!"
'sGreat Caesar, Barbara! You? Are
you the woman who bought my sisters
horse?"
This is my horse. do not know
your sister," coldly.
She had instantly rallied from hef
agitation.
But, beg pardon, you do. She was
this animals owner, obliged to part
with it after her husbands failure. /
| Just got back from the mines-South
America-and heard it. / am trying
to recover her scattered household
gods. This beast, suppose, was one
of them. l came to buy it, but how
should I dream that Miss Belts was
my Miss Betts--my Barbara! After
ten years of waiting, darling! take
all the blame. Twas hot-tempered and
unjust. / should have remembered
how firm you always WERE"
mo; I'm an old maid now, and they
call me ssot.'"
Flora's would-be purchaser walked
in and closed the stable door behind
him.
well, of all tbings!" exclaimed Mrs.
Belts, from her point of view. III
Barbara were younger"
Its all right, mother. The maid
says that the gentleman is the brother
Of Flora's first mistress"
After some time Bah came in, the
stranger with her.
Mother, do you remember Mr.. Cray.
don? used to know him at the uni.
versity."
The lady's memory failed, but she
accepted the statement without com.
ment. Not SO quietly, however, that
which followed: "And I've sold Flora
| tsC.ll Elo-.I I-..e..;l.1.f L.