The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1901-01-25

AAAII
ehuekie. he put up his glass and looked
about him. How Rose used to sc0ld
at the shabby old drawing room at
home. a room that not all her ripper
les could brighten.
when L have q room Of my own
she would say. ''it win be all pink and
pretty. Pink paper and cushions, and
little crooked chairs, and Dresden
china. Waitr
This was however, not the kind Of
room that the colonel had been led
to look for. It was long and dark. with
heavy curtains, shutting cut a. win
dows and the sun. The wall paper
was Of a dark blae pattern. and the
mantel-piece was covered with pea
cocks feathers. Peacocks' feathers. Of
which s2ose had such dread and horror
that she had burned all there were
at home!
The colonel walked no and down,
lost In astonished contemplation. In
his abstraction be knocked over bas-
ket that had a table to itself. and
stopped to pick up the contents. reels.
scissors. socks and wool. and a big
bunch Of keys. These keys looked
business-like. they clattered much as
the colonel put them back; but he
noticed that the basket was old and
the lining shabby; It could not belong
to Rose lie Strengthened himself and
wondered.
~PapaF'
She came flying up in her old hasty
fashion. The door, with its heavy cur
tains dragging, swung slowly shut be-
hind her.
How are you getting on?" said the
colonel, drawing her 70 the light and
smiling Like Two little birds in a
nest?"
You have forgotten my mother-in-
law" said Rose. Then she buried her
face In his coat and cried
What? Hey? Whatg" calculated
the colonel helplessly. He had not ex-
pected this Rose lifted her head and
smiled, though her mouth still quiv-
cred.
"lt's all right" she said "Ouly II
Twas rather lonely, and you did not
tell me You were coming and -and-I
am so happy"
She was trying to laugh. but the
sound did not ring gayly. The colonel
stared at her, patting her head and |
striving to make it out.
Come into the other room. said
Rose. IT is so dun and dark in here,
and those peacocks' feathers send cold /
shivers down my back Come into the
other room. She is out"
"she?"
"Oh, Mrs. Kennedy" exclaimed Rose
hastily. She took him across the land
ing into the dining room, the win
dows Of which looked on the street.
There was a low chair Ia one window,
a work table and a cat
Il sit here with pussy" said Rose
Then / can watch people go by in the
street And the bank Is just opposite.
If I look very hard-so" she pressed /
her small face close TO the glass. Il /
can now and then see the top Of Arch
les head over the wire blind in the
window"
rs that the way you keep house,
lazy person." said the Colonel. patting /
the hand that lay In his own. =
thought would find my Rosebud buz-
zing up and down like little bee,
trotting to the shops and making won
derful experiments in the kitchen 7
was certain you would appear in a big /
white apron. clattering your keys"
Il would like that" said Rose. Her
tone was woeful "But Mrs Kennedy I
manages There-there is nothing for
me to do"
She sighed. and then jumping up, |
began to talk fast and neryously. There
was a step on the stair, and along the
landing Somebody looked in.
my dear Rose, do think
The voice was unpleasant It was,
however, altered as soon as the Col
onel was observed Mrs. Kennedy
came In smiling and shook hands.
The Colonel would stay 70 lunch, Of
course2 and TO dinner? She must just
go down and speak to the cook.
"You ought TO do that, Rosebud said
the Colonel pulling az his moustache.
Il shah speak to Archie" But Rose
gave a little nervous laugh.
Don't papa; oh, dont II would
make such mischief; and she would
hate me-and am awfuliy frightened !
Of the cook"
Poor little creature. I am SO sorry I
for her"
Il know old Mrs. Kennedy makes her
life a burden"
should not somebody speak to Ar
chic Kennedy"
1T wouldn't do any good. It isn't |
as IL the old wretch had any money. 4
She has got to live with them. and ] /
suppose that is why Mrs. Archie puts
up with her SO sweetly. Il can't be
helped"
Poor Mrs. Archiel The old lady's
nagging must be enough to T
drive her mad. Did you see how III she
looked7"
r-t rsr..--1 hr.-1 hft- - 4f4 -