The Natchitoches enterprise., 1900-06-28

miies, Unwonte1 voices reached Mr.
Elliotts ear. She made an errand int
the back yard. On n bench in the ten
door sat Looeycza and Taylor. Hi
feet were on another bench. and b
had shed his coat. He had the air Of
man perfectly at home.
\ Il jeS' come oveh t. see eff I'd 20
Mrs. RENDERS shack fixed all right.
he exclaimed, thrusting his pipe behind
him and trying to appear unconcerned
LooeyeZa's smile was conscious and
silly.
LoOcyeZa took no trouble to adjust
herself to her new conditions. She let
them fall around her and drape them
selves as they would. Her smile was
Mrs. Ellfott's despair. She ceased to
wonder her husband had beaten her.
On the third day OF her advent she
Joined her mistress and caller in the
room dignified by the name Of parlor,
seated herself. with q serene interest in
the newcomer. and smiled on both Ia
dies DeniSnly. For few seconds the
atmosphere Of the room was peculiar.
Thomas Jefferson's ideas Of democ-
racy were crude and limited" remark
ed Mrs. Elliott to her friend.
Very" said the lady, with ready ap-
probation. Thomas should have lived
In Texas"
These remarks not being Of interest
to Looeyeza, she decided 10 sit on the
front porch. from which madam dis
lodged her later by an errand.
THAT Taylor comes every evening
10 see LoOeyeza." said Mrs. Elliott to
her husband at the end Of the first
week.
Hes after her mules" responded
Mr. Elliott with conviction. Cant
you tell her so, and how worthless he
is"
His wife looked Mt him pItyingly. He
might understand Taylor, but he didn't
understand Looeyeza.
Il don't know What to do bout them
mules" she said TO madam the next |
day. II hihed 'em to man. but he's |
got done with 'em. an now l hGin't got
no place to keep 'em. Reckon Ill haf 4,
to git married SOS to have n man 10
take care Of EN-"
"IIave you set the day for the we'd |
ding?" asked Mrs. Elliott. with cold |
perception.
I'VE thought we'd have 1t In bout
two weeks" Admitted Looeyeza faint
ly.
do you know anything about Mr..
Taylor?' |
"Oh. yes: he's tOle me all bout his
f1hst wife an his childehn an every
thing. He's pow'fuI fon' of his chill
dehn."
"Oh. is hep
Yes. indeed. He's got fouh. He
wants to git married SOS to have a
home feb EN-"
Il shouldn't wonder. Has he home
to furnish you and them?"
''Oh, yes, he has nice shack. an
with mine we'll have two"
Exactly. And your mules can sup
port him and his children"
LoOeyeza looked pleased at Mrs. Ell
liott's ready comprehension of their
plans.
"Of course. II the mules shouldn't
earn enough. you could take in wash
ing"
Mrs. Elliott's polite infections cut
the air like dnggers. but they cut
dough. Looeyeza smiled
eyes; l like to wash. An tent life Is
80 lonely" She had been a widow four |
weeks"
dearly beloved. we are gathered to-
gether here In the sight of God and in
the face Of this company TO join to-
Gether this man and this woman In
holy matrimony."
1--WE" were represented by Mrs. Ell. t
Iott. Some one had TO give the wretch. :
ed bride away. and. with a prayer for b
pardon. her mistress Ind accepted the }
honor, questioning much were 1t not n
better to chlOroform the victim into an t
other world.
"Who giveth this woman to be mar o
ried to this man?"
The unhappy lady murmured her $
part. and the mockery proceeded. The
rector was English and very young.
weighted by the importance Of his or e.
fee and guiltless Of sense of humor. al
OF these Migrants Of the plains before q
him he knew nothing. r. r.
with all my worldly goods thee dr
endow" a
1t was impossible not to think of the til
mules. They represented the chief in. y y
,elligence In the contract.
The wedding journey began at FL
iott's back yard. whence the shack and -
is furniture were to be transported to
he section OF the plain adorned by the
Taylor residence. The mules were In
and they seemed to fully
ealize their position as the family sup in
tort. in
Taylor drove away. standing I'D in OF
proud authority over his newly ac- y, n
luired possessions. Looeyeza sat on y;
Ter household goods. sfmperinC and n
ny. but proud to- he again wooed and II
ved. L;
A passing dust cloud hid them from
pI
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