The Brunswick daily news. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 1903-1906, 1904-10-09
The Comedy of a Haystack.
NlNN lSANlNNNNNN1eN e9
BY ADAM LII.BURN.

Alice Fairburn and Margery lIeuaer-
son were more like sisters than cou-
sins, until man came to iaterfere
with their affection.
Dan Hedley, the son of ncigh5or-
ing farmer, was good looking Eel.
low, whose natural and acquired at
tributes rendered him wonderfully sue
cessful with the fair sex, He had no
respect for women, and was therefore
nnhampered by any scruples OF con-
science In his dealings with them. His
favorite method was to fatter the
present at the expense Of the absent;
and, unfortunately. this ignoble plan
did not often fail Besides this. his
assurance carried him through many
difficult situation, and it frequently
enabled him TO GUST wcers Of greater
merit
Alice and Margery were accounted
the two most attractive girls in the
neighborhood and formed a charm
ing contrast; Alice being Of the fair
and sentimental typo, while Margery's
eyes were dark and absolutely
sparkled with fun and mischief Be-
tween them the cousins, young women
as they were, did most Of the farm
worksuch at least as appertains to
women, and made light Of II, too, fer
they were thoroughly practical and ro-
bust. Then, when the days labor was
over they would sing and laugh, and
chatter; or saunter down the leafy
lanes with arms entwined around each
others waists. whispering their foolish
innocent dreams and secrets.
This until Dan Hedley sowed dis
sensicn and jealousy where before was
nanght but love and kindness. He was
playing a risky game, making love -
both of them, but the danger added
zest, and 1t Is possible that he did not
know his own mind. Sometimes the
soft languor Of Alices eyes moved
him. and in them he could admire his
own reflection; but soon the roguish
glance OF Aargery proved too alluring
and led his thoughts astray Why oh
why, was he not Turk, that he might
not be forced to choose between each
charmcrs? Heaven knows how many
Kisses he stole from each in turn, or
how many lies he told to conceal the
fact! Alas that II should only be
Joye. not Juno, who laughs at lovers
perjuries
As neither OF the girls was of the
nature &c tolerate or find amusement
in infdelity Dan required 10 exercise
considerable tact TO steer his course.
aud how he eventually intended to
steer clear of shoals, since bigamy is
punishable offense, is not known;
for fate took matters into its own
hands and brought Dams double court.
ship to a somewhat abrupt termlnar
ton.
A strained condition Of affairs was
perceptihle between the cousins one
afternoon in late summer Margery
began it by finding fault with Alice for
spending too much time in making the
butter. and consequently keeping the
cxpressman waiting who called for It
every week,
New IL there was one thing more
than another upon which Alice prided
herself 1t was the perfection of the
butter she sent to market, and as the
morning had been sutry she had eS-
perieneed considerable difilculty In
bringing her present lot up to the
mark. Everyone knows how difficult
Ii Is to shape and imprint the pretty
yellow pets under such adverse condi-
tions, and her temper already rufiled
by the many failures she had expert
enced--was not In condition to brook
reprimands
II you're not satisfied with my
work think it's high time / went
elsewhere she exclaimed, her check
flushing, and her blue eyes shining
through a mist cf tears; Il dare say
there are folks that would suit We
BETTER even II they should make but
ter like cart grease, As for me, there's
no need TO he beholden to YOU, while
I've got hand to work for my bread
All. it's you that's mistress here.
though you never made nc feel that
beforel"
It's not far you are thinkin OF trav-
cling, retorted Margery, sharply; ebut
it's never safe to count your eggs as
chickens Az. an it's nasty of you to
he blowing about your position. My
conscience is clear on that point any
way; fathers treated us both alike,
hasn't he, now?'
oh, yes, but your fathers not you,
Margeryw
There was a retort on Margery's
tongue. but she managed to suppress
A. Her superior position as daughter
OF the house had Its responsibilities.
1t had also its disadvantages. for Alice
took an exasperatingly humbla tone,
and the pride that apes humility can
be extremely offensive at times Mar
gerry retreated to her bedroom. where
she pretended 70 busy herself sweep
ing. singing merrily the while, in a
loud voice in order to show her indif-
Ference.
Alice listened to the cheerful dittv
while engaged in scalding her milk
vessels and setting them in place. and
the sound increased her bitterness.
IF / don't get out Of this for a
while it'll drive me mad" she NUT
tered at length; the heart;.s5 crea
turel ia like well to choke her. sing