Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1900-03-05


was somewhat of gourmaad, and en-
ioyed nothing so well as quiet meal,
was unable to swallow mouthful.
"Oh, by the way, Clara, are you
and Fanny Ives as good friends as
ever?"
ooh, yes; Fanny comes here very
often. I've no doubt you'll see her
tomorrow.
Rather nice girl, isn't she, Mr.
Austin? She is the fairest blonde I've
ever known. Inever cared for blondes,
though. Now, you mustn't think I'm
jealous of their pink and white faces,
for am not, but do like to see some
life about person, and they are such
half-dead- -and-alive creaturss-milk-
and-water to their finge:-tips. Now,
Clara, L think girl of your complex :
ion ought to be of very lively dispo-
sition; in fact, I've never seen girl
with brown hair and blue eyes SO de-
mure as you"
"Ahem!' said Mr.. Austin; '1 think
Fanny Ives is quiet, gentle girl.
whose example any young lady would
do well to follow"
Clara glanced across the table at
Alfred, who had his napkin to his
mouth to conceal O smile.
"Well, what are we going to do to-
morrow" asked Belle, without taking
any notice of Mr.. Austin's remark.
"You know what bore a quiet coun-
try place is to girl like me, so please
mall a ont your pronro n, NJ, a oooor1ipu
ly."
''I m afraid that visit to Europe did
Belle good deal of HARM" said Mr..
Austin to himself that night as be sat
alone in his own chamber.
Next day came. and with it FANNY
Ives.
After dinner Mr.. Austin, Clara and
Fanny were sitting in the parlor,
when Belle entered, dressed for
drive.
"Is Alfred here? Oh, dear! I hur-
ried so, L was afraid he would be wait
ing for me. Alfred is going to take
me for q drive, Papa Austin; he
wants to show me all the improve
ments that have been made here since
my last visit. suppose they are prec-
ious few, though; you are dreadful ly
slow here in the country.
"Ughl" exclaimed Belle, glancing
out of the window as Alfred drove up
to the gate.
"What is it, BELIEF" asked Clara,
rising and crossing over to the win
dow. followed by Fanny.
"Ugh" repeated Belle; "did any
one ever see such team? Why,
Papa Austin, those are the same old,
detestable nags that you have had
ever since [ eau remember"
Now, if there was one thing in this
world thai raised Mr.. Austin's
"dander" quicker than another it was
to speak deprecatingly of that team,
and he said in sharp voice;
"What did you remark about my
horses, miss"
"Oh. nothing o. any consequence"
said Belle, carelessly, as Alfred
entered.
"Clara, you must bring Fanny
down to the city the first time you
come, and L will drive you both out
four-in hand. You never saw me drive
four-in-hand. did you, Papa Austin?"
''No, miss; it IS something I would
not care about seeing any young lady
doing" said Mr.. Austin, severely.
"Oh, what an antediluvian idea, to
be sure! But those nags out there.
can't help looking at them. l
wonder what an of my fashionable
friends would say, Alfred, to see me
driving behind such team. Now,
I'll tell you what it is, Papa Austin,
without Joking, if You don't sell those
horses you'll lose on them"
Clara and Fanny could not suppress
litter. Alfred tried to keep from
laughing, and, glancing over at his
father, he saw indications of storm
AID he said, tenderly:
''Come, Belle, my love, or we won I
get over half the ground to-day"
AS soon as Belle and Alfred dis
appeared, Mr.. Austin, who was chok-
ing with rage, rushed from the room
and out into The open air.
"My horses are old nags! What an
outrageous girl, to be sure. No
wonder her father wants to get rid OF
her; but he won't put her over on me.
No, sir! Those who don't like my
horses, don't like me. And Alfred,
what fool he is making of himself; ]
believe he is in love with the girl al
ready; and only last week he was raw.
ing about Fanny. But it's just like
the men nowadays, such a depraved
taste. Well, it's all my own doings
I've got myself into a pretty mess
and how under heaven am I going to
get out of it?" and Mr.. Austin walked
up and down the garden path like q
madman.
A week passed away, and Mr..
Austin hoped against hope; but nc
change for tie better came oyei
Belle.
Friday morning of the second week
came.
"Where are you going to-day,
Alfredo" asked Belle, when they had
all assembled at breakfast.
I'm going fishing, my dear"
"Fishing? Oh, may Clara, Fanny