The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1902-06-07
would have resumed his work. Now

always old, and-and fussy, and-and
cranky said the girl.
There are exceptions" said Jasper
There must be excepti~-s."
II suppose you know. said the girl
"But it isn't an article"
you arouse my worst fears" said
Jasper as the girl spread out the
manuscript.
II think understand what you
mean," she said.
I'm glad you do" said Jasper.
"And I'm afraid your worst fears
are confirmed" she said.
Jasper sighed.
"Then il is verses ?" he said.
II supposed it was poetry" said the
girl.
| "They always do" said Jasper.
The girl looked up at him with
pretty grimace.
you are not bit encouraging" she
said.
Its the better way" said Jasper.
"And yet you write verses yourself"
said the girl. "And get them printed,
too"
Perhaps il is because / haven't q
friend honest enough to dissuade me-"
said Jasper. II have had no time for
that sort of nonsense lately, how
ever"
That's pity" said the girl.
Don't think to soften me in that
way" said Jasper.
II like those lines beginning she
came upon me unawares,'" said the
girl. II know them by heart. She
came upon me unawares, I turned and
she was there"
II beg your pardon" cried Jasper.
ut is your lines that are under consid-
Grafton. Pray produce them"
The girl gave him sidelong glance.
Did she come upon you unawares?"
Mr.. Dane?''
Jasper caught the glance and slightly
flushed. His look grew troubled again.
II live in hopes" he said.
That's enigmatical," laughed the
girl. 1T shows you are not sure"
Il must object to your manifest i'm
tention to throw me into sentimental
mood" said Jasper. cit will not help
YOU"
The girl laughed and passed the
to him.
II know you will like it," she said.
"Why are you so certain?" Jasper
asked.
Because / haven't written on both !
sides of the paper" said the girl.
Jasper bent over the manuscript TO |
hide his smile. Then his look changed.
Fhe smile faded. He read the lines
With great care. Presently he looked
up.
The girl had been regarding him in
tently. She met his eyes with an in
luiring glance.
"You want me to be frank ?" he said.
"Of course"
"The lines are quite too sentimental.
they are of the old school where SEN
iment reigned. Nowadays we bluntIy
all it gush."
But it's not all bad, is it ?" queried
he girl.
by no means, replied Jasper. "The
xecution is good. If the fripperies
nd affectations were dropped 1t would
e very passable. If you would heed
~ advice-they never dol might be
empted to ask you TO try again."
He folded the manuscript and hand
it to her.
"Thank you," said the girl.
II am sorry If my judgment seems
arsh," said Jasper.
ut doesn't" said the girl.
81 have tried to treat you as an hon.
It friend should said Jasper.
THANK you again." said the girl II
Ill admit that hope to gee my verses
your paper" r..
''Try again" said Jasper.
The girl arose and put out her dainty
md.
IT am glad to know you. Mr..
ane," she said. II have q very dear
lend who has sung your praises until
I'm quite Jealous. Twas reaIIyanxious
meet you. Good-by." Then she
riftly added with charming smile:
am sure we shall meet again"
The smile and the words quite over
me Jasper. |
I'll hope So" he fairly stammered
he arose to his feet and watched her I
tier from the room. 1
As he resumed his seat a card upon
e floor drew his attention. The girl 4
d dropped it. He picked it up, !
nght sight of his name. and Mt once /
,ognized the angular handwriting.
EN- he read it aloud:
Dear Dane-This is my daughter Leonie, 3
come home from abroad. What she a
ties goes, Of course. Yours.
''LINAS LAMSON."
Dane softly whistled.
10 this was Lamson's little girl, this
endid young woman! How charm :
she was, and how friendly. Had he
1T her feelings? What brute he
81 1t would have been such a SIM +"
thing to publish the verses. And y
never showed him her fathers 5
e. That was noble of her.
lie picked up his pencil and bent over o
work. And presently he softly E
nmed:
She came upon me unawares
I turned and she was there. 81
Plain Dealer
a
sooth tn Say. q
here are things better than money y
his life, but it takes money to buy :,
1