The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1902-12-04
IMPUDENCE.

: 81
y~>e%~~~>~u~H~>~p>~~%~~>~%
A group of three--two girls and a
cat. The halo of womanly daintinoss
surrounds them lace-trimmod
hankerchief here, Cinderella slippers
there; high-plumed tiara on the
table and the last worn dress across
the chair.
One pair of black eyes looking out
upon the world with deep, winsome |
Misunderstanding visions and trying TO
blink away the shadows ; one pair of
blue eyes, practical, everyday, sympa-
lying in the lap of the first, its golden,
green orbs fixed restlessly on her face
and her two hands clasped across its
silky coat. The black eyes twinkle as
they meet the blue.
"What do L see In your face 2"
questioned tho blue-eyed girl, "somc.
thing has happened, tell mo %
For answer the other placed taper
ing fingers at the parting of the lips
and whispered.
"Q-hl you mean Cousin Jimmie ?
,s;D Delightful Charming 70
Sparks of fun and lightheartcd hap
piness scinlillate from the dark orbs
while she tells such particulars as
maidens delight to recount and to
hoar.
'There is only one possible objcc-
tion," quoth Bluettc, deprecatlngly-
tsI am afraid"
"NOw, Imp" spoke the other quickly
"what are you arching your back
about? Do you also think him too
fine for your mistress? 1t is not kind
to tell me so ~
Bluette recognized the limitation.
"Imp is the most appropriate name l
ever heard for black cat" she skir-
mished.
"'Impudence' we used to call him,
when he was small and mischicvous--
now he has grown wise and dignlliod
we shorten it,
At'intervals Bluc-eycs tried to re-
sumo the discussion of I" Cousin jim
mie," and unconsciously to state the
one objection to him-she was good
little soul-but Black-eyca had put up
the bars and it was utte.ly impossible
"Imp, she thinks l do not know ="
This i'll confidence to the cat, the
dimpling check buried in his soft, black
fur and happy little gurgling smiles
bubbling up to the surface. II am
perfectly well aware mama and papa
will never permit to me marry him SIM
ply because he Is poor, as Bluette
wanted 80 much to tell me. But what
does it matter? lie is infinitely SUI
periOr to all others and-oh-Imp-u-
dence !"
,.o,- as 1t an invocation ? The cat
a Its his head and looks up at her as if
fain to be released from his thrall of
speechlessness that he might give her
hint Of his impish cunping.
True love took It's usual course
over the rapids. The black eyes no
longer scintillate fun, but sharp clec.
trio rays of discomfort and defiance.
The father looks morosc whenever
her lovers name is mentioned, and
the mother imperiously scornlul.
What is a girl to do? The crisis be.
came imminent when another lover
appeared on tho scene. "Evcrything
heart could wish 10 pronounced the
mother, while the father looked as
jolly over it as if he had sown few
dollars in speculation and reapcd
gold mine. But the daughter--
The man was little-not much above
her own shoulder-and fussy agree
able rather, or would be If she could
refrain from comparing him with
somebody else. Imp archcd his back
and looked suspicious and disdainful
whenever he came into the room, as if
he were one of those tormcnting little
dogs which cats detest. Alas ! who
cares for the opinion Of n cat--unlcss,
perchance, it agrees with his own
And what was the girl to do ?"
One would hardly have deemed
Lctticc Duvall person easily dom
mated noting the full, firm mouth and
the head poised as if it already wore Il
crown. Nevertheless, the queen /
mother still roigned. Whatever dress
she suggested was worn whatever
engagement she wished was made. !
Hitherto it had been matter of no |
consequence to Letticc. 1t cost moth
ing to be dutiful. Now it was a mat
ter of vast consequence. What should |
agirl do?
Ably aided and abetted by the
mother, the undesired lover had op-
portunities galore to advance his suit
and he was not slow to improve them;
While he with whom Lcttice had ex.
changed hearts was plainly given to
understand his presence was not ac-
ceptable.
Gimp Imp Oh, Imp.u-dcnce /"
This time there was almost waif of
despair in the invocation, as tho girl
Rugged the cat in her arms. IIer(
mother had just intimated she would
be expected to alliance herself to the
wealthy wldower when he came that
night.
The black eyes scintillated only
dreary dread, and her head was hot
wlth the fevered agony. She was
obliged TO excuse hersoi. Thus tboI