The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1899-01-28

1Oung conway was coming up IN
path with trimming pail of fresl
milk in either hand.
Like his mother, he bore with hin
an air of magnetic vigor and power
and now seemed a fitting part of th'
wholesome, sunlit scene.
"Good morning." he said; did 20,
come out to find that meadow lark p
A clear, sweet whistle was one Of thu
delicious sounds which pierced thu
morning air, but Miss Merton hat
scarcely distinguished it from the Other
outdoor charms. She looked puzzled
and the young man, putting down his
pals, pointed to fence near by. 'Thert
he is, bold as lion. They don't otter
come so near"
"I'm afraid don't know much about
BIRDS" the girl said. 81 suppose you
know them all. and their songs, too?"
swell, I'm out with them so much
we ought to be pretty well acquainted.
"I'm going to try to learn something
about them while I'm here" Miss Mer-
ton declared, quite decidedly.
'It's mostly watching. But / can
show you little. The best time is be-
fore breakfast"
That first day at the farm proved a
happy one throughout, and after sup
per Miss Merton sat with Mrs. Con-
way on the little front piazza. Young
Conway had gone out, and as his
mother looked after his vanishing fig
ure, she confided to her guest that the
evenings seemed lonely since Dick took
TO going with May Simpson. Il don't
know as he's really spoken yet" che
said, "but anybody can see how it is.
She's a nice girl, too, and I haven't a
word to say against it, though I'm
foolish, fond mother, and think there's
nobody like my boy"
II don't wbnder!" Miss Merton spoke
impulsively, and with perfect sincerity.
She felt sure she had never met a man
quite like Richard Conway.
Mex tmorning, when the young farm
er was milking in the barnyard, Miss
Merton took him by surprise. Before
he was aware of any approach, light
step was at his side, and a laughing
voice babe him hurry or there would
be no time for the bird lesson before
breakfast. The young man looked up,
frankly pleased. "I'll take you out in
the orchard" he said; sits fine there
this time of day."
The concert in the orchard was un-
der full Roadway when two figures
over the stone wall and be-
gan to steal about under the trees.
Hundreds of birds seemed to be sing
ing together, but as a musician follows
symphony the part of each
well-known instrument, so Richard
Conway distinguished the voice of each
little feathered acquaintance. And,
carried away by his pupils eager in
terest, he declared she would learn
very readily. Would she come again,
and SO early? She promised that she
would, every day.
This was but the beginning of de-
ightful, new interest in Miss Merton's |
life; but one morning the lesson met |
with an interruption. Upon the two |
luiet observers in the orchard a rush
ng, breathless little figure broke down;
hen stopped in utter surprise. Young
conway and his companion were stand
ng close together gazing up into q
rec. In her effort to point out bird
Hiss Merton had laid an eager hand
IN her companions arm, and she was
o absorbed that it rested there uncon-
ciously.
The girl who stopped short before
hem had been running swiftly, and
vas already flushed, but deep color
urged over Ler face as she stood and
ooked, with startled eyes, at the two
efore her. She was a pretty little
reature, and her skirt was tucked ND
o escape the dewy grass, while an
prom was thrown hastily over her
cad. "Oh," she painted, and started to
un on again. But Dick Conway sprang
onward and caught her arm. swat a
minute. May" he cried; whats your
urry, and where are you going?"
Il was just going to borrow some but
er from your mther," she murmured,
and / must hurry"
We'll, wait one minute. It's time we
ere going in anyway. Miss Merton,
lis is Miss Simpson, and think well !
ave to leave the birds now, if we want ,
ny breakfast
All the way to the house young Con-
avs little friend had not a word to /,
~, save in briefest answer to some .
uestion put by Miss Merton. When
sked whether she were interested in ,
rds, however, a quick CLEAN came
ito her brown eyes. 81 guess could
arm about them," she said. Some
amp wisps of chestnut hair were
own across the Redeemed cheeks. and
lie shining hrourr oras ..-.-. 49,. :