The Forrest City times., 1904-07-01


Fred Taggart?"
Eyes, father"
Il thought So Come to say good-by,
didn't he? Well, I'm sorry for old man
Taggart; he sets the world by that boy.
An It's pity, too. Fred was the smart
est feller round here at one time, for q
young chap, an seemed to have the
maxim of something uncommon. But
the smartness has all frazzled out now
in kid gloves an squeakin' boots: an
he's goin' up to the city to work for six
dollars week, when his fathers got the
finest farm round here, an Fred could
have the runnin' Of II In a few years IL
he'd stay. Welt, well! Fools amt all
dead yet. But here comes Hank. Guess
he wants to see you, Ell"
Elsie had been slipping into the house
with heightened color, but turned back.
Hank was the son of their nearest neigh
Dor, and was a good, whole-souled fell
low, with clear head and energetic hab-
its, but woefully diffident and slow Of
speech. Elsie liked him. but had never
cared to analyZe what Hanks feelings
might be toward her.
AS he approached them the young man
nodded to her father, who was moving
away toward the barn. and then turned
to her expectantly. with the color rising
slowly to the roots of his hair But not
until her father was out of hearing did
he speak
Elsie" he began then, bashfully,
Fred just said good-by to me. He'll
be gone for a long time"
Yes" tentatively, he said good-by
to me-"
There's that rehearsal to-night-Sat-
urday night. you know, Elsie" he went
on. It's quite a long walk, and-and
you'll be needing somebody to 60 with
you. thought I'd better run over before
any of the other boys got round"
Il can go alone just as well as not,
Hank. It's bright moonlight"
Yes. yes, | know It's" desperately.
But there's rehearsals next week, and
church tomorrow night, and-and
there's all summer long, and all next
winter. 1t won't be moonlight all the
time. You'll need somebody to walk
with you. OF course amt asking you
to keep company with me-" hurriedly;
'only-only you'll need somebody till
Fred gets back, and I'm handiest"
I'm not engaged to Fred" proudly.
No, of course not. know that--or
thought So But he sort of kept company
with you, and-and-I'm handiest, Elsie.
and you'll sure need somebody, and
and you and l will understand"
She looked at him thoughtfully.
Yes, you and / would understand,
Hank" she said, "anfmaybe will need
somebody sometimes. Yes, you may
come for me, Hank"
The rest came about naturally Hank
became Elsie's steady company, as the
neighboring young people said but
Hank and Elsie themselves understood.
And Fred, when he returned home for a
few days at Christmas, understood, too,
and he wrung Hanks hand and called
him good fellow for protecting his girl
from the other boys.
Before the end of the next year there
was rumOr that Fred's father was not
quite satisfied. The firm had not ad-
vanced Fred as it ought. He was still
receiving six dollars week, and money
had to be sent from home to pay for his
clothes; then his letters we're filled with
theaters and the proper things in high
life, with nothing about his work.
BY this time Hank had developed into
a tall, broad-shouldered young man,
perfectly capable of managing the farm
which was now almost wholly under his
care.
Then one day Fred suddenly appeared
among them, jaunty as ever. and home
for good, as he said The city was too
crowded and unsatisfying; and besides,
his father needed him to manage the
farm And all he brought for his two
years work and the money sent him was
a large diamond which flashed upon one
of his fingers, and experience.
The very night Of his arrival he
dressed himself with all the elaborate
ness of his city knowledge and went
across TO Elsie's home. She received
him in the parlor, in the pretty white
dress which he remembered she was
having made for her graduation. AS
she entered the room, something in her
bright, winsome beauty, so different
from the chalky compilations of the
shop girls he had become acquainted
with, made him step forward impul-
sively
why, you're beautiful Elsie" he ex-
claimed. Il had no idea. It's fine to be
home again. Amt you glad to see me?"
Yes, indeed am. Fred" she answered
frankly. as she gave him both her hands.
1T will be nice to have you with US
again.
Fred laughed com placently and settled
himself comfortably in the easiest chair
in the room. "Oh, by the way, Elsie"
he said presently, mother told me there
was to be party over TO Hull's wsdnes-
day night. Shall we go? ] haven't got
my invitation yet, but it'll come soon's
they hear I'm home"
Yes, you'll get II all right" Elsie
agreed. But can't go with you, Fred.
I've promised Hank, He's got cousin