The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1898-01-08


said when we came in "You look as
cross as bear"
81 was never SO good-natured in my
life," 1 asserted. "Only wish Eng
lishmen would stay on their own side"
1--WE certainly DON'T" she replied, de-
murely.
''That's true" Then added. looking
across the room: Betty Burton and
he make good-looking pair; pity Bet
ty Is SO poor"
II understand Lord Stavers wants to
marry money-or his mother has so
ordained" remarked Kilien, slyly.
Its you, Kilien."
"For better or for worse" my incor-
rigible cousin responded, laughing me
| in the face.
The morning came fair and fresh.
There was tossing Of heads, Ind
champing Of bits, as the grooms held
the horses in FESTIVE outline against
the bare November branches, the pure
cold sky. We had brisk, hard run,
the strong air hit and frightened our
faces. and the deep baying of the dogs
resounded over the meadow land, now
near, now far away.
But of course Stavers had the best
mount.
Yes, of course, Stavers had far and
away the best one, as the guest of hon.
or; and my little mare, Babette, was
plainly out of it. She did her best, but
we fell behind; and Kilien and the
earl were in at the death.
Notice 'em," said Betty over my
shoulder. She meant notice the two
winners, who were talking earnestly
together, and looking into each others
eyes. Then Stayers, seeing us, crossed
over and complimented Kittens riding;
but that young lady cried out with
sparkling eyes: 1T was just Ulysses!"
| left them, and rode back alone.
Hello, Charlie came voice from
the roadside; and there, astride of a
fence, was Jack Roche, the clergyman
of Dale--a tall, lean, cadaverous fell
low, the valedictorian of our time. He
has his living from Dandy, who built
the fine church, the square tower of
which stands out against the low hori-
zon as you pass along the Meadow
brook road. "Babette didn't keep up,
eh?"
mo. confound it,
II fancy everything goes the way of
Kilien and the earl. smiling quizzically.
"Well, yes" / said; and rode on,
rather cut up.
But I was not going to play second
fiddle to the Britisher = not 1. 1
dropped back to town, and resumed my
work at Buy & Sells. Even there,
couldn't take up a paper without hav-
ing what Stavers was doing obtruded
on my attention, and seeing his name
coupled with Kittens. Where she
went he was; all the little title
tattle Of the smart set centered about
the two. was urged to dinner by the
Danbys. but I stayed away purposely;
and Kittens urgency about visiting
Dale went UNDECIDED. until, just before
Thanksgiving time, there came from
her a positive order, which left me sur
prised and troubled. A servant came
up from Dale with the note, which read
Il can repeat it even now word for
word:
Dear Charlie: Jack Roche il in town.
I want him down here Thankseiving. with
out fail. by seven o'clock. Come yourself;
| you Will be needed. It's q plan have ar
ranged myself. and Il includes opening the
church and wedding that not soul must
know about. As always / trust you inn
| plicitly, and Of course you won't betray me-
WI ~ -
now. The utmost secrecy must be kept, or
else all will be spoiled. Just six persons
know. when you and Jack Roche are in
cluded. Yours always.
What did do. pray, after this? I
went around of a frosty morning to
find Roche. My face, 1 think, was as
long as a deacon's.
You must go down to Dale with me
tomorrow"
ITO Dale?"
Its Kilien's order"
"Eh, Charlie" he sajd, "you are cut
up about Miss Dandy"
"A clergyman, Jack, has some ex-
emptions." l commented, "but shall
swear in q minute"
didn't tell him then what it was
all about. I didn't tell him that Kilien
probably wanted to elope with Lord
Stavers. Why in the world she wanted
to run away when it was all so easy
In the ordinary way, was quite beyond
me. I couldn't fathom her design. It
was only plain that it was she and
Stavers.
Well, we took the train at Long Is
land City that afternoon. As we came
in Curry, one Of Philip Danby's
grooms, was on hand, with word that
his mistress and Miss Betty, and his
lordship and Mr.. Brooks were outside
with the horses. Then Kilien herself
/ rushed in unfler the Hnhf az &ha .4.-