The Opelousas courier., 1904-07-02
By Force OF Precedent.
BY THEODOSIA GARRISON.

The child had been reading fol
more than an hour, conscicntiously
.voiding the big words, and drinking
n the story like d thirsty bee, il
he heart Of a honey suckle.
She read the last lines aloud, hel
high pitched voice sounding strangely
through the deserted studio:
Love immortal and yoEng {e-d
less procession o Towers.
So through the Plymouth woods
passed onward the bridal process.
sion.
"The CourtsAp of Miles Standish'
Slid from her hand, and her brown
head sank back il its nest of yellow
cushions. The VnGow was open and
he May breeze rioted gently with the
curtains.
Il like to visit Cousin Molly, even
when she isn't here" she thought,
I wish l didn't have to go home
aver. l hope when | so back shall
nave the measles again and Cousin
Molly will bring me hero for another
;hange. l wonder how l can get it,"
She ran her slim fingers through
her tousled hair and sighed. A maid
stepped over the threshold with a
bowl of Japanese lilies in her hand
their delicate odor preceding her like
/ whisper. She nodded kindly to the
child as she placed them on the table.
Don't get lonesome, Miss Angus
a." she said. Miss Mollyll be in
presently. Amt these pretty? Mr..
Harding sent 'em up. His window
sill is full of EN-, he says"
EYES," said the child gravely.
They smell nice. I never saw any
,efore l came here"
She raised herself from her cushr
ons and uncoiled her thin legs.
Bessie" she said, did you ever
nave people tell you what you must
10 or mustn't do?'
"Lor', yes. miss" said Bessie light
". They all does. Nowadays a girl
has to wait until she gets a husband
to do as she p~leases."
The child regarded her %intently.
That doesn't do me much good" she
said. give got to go home Thurs
day, and l don't want to-and | don't
know any n to marry-except--"
she added after a moments refec-
tiion-"except Mr.. Harding"
Bessie giggled delightedly. ITO
be sure, miss" she laughed "Mr.
Harding, of course"
After the maid had gone Augusta
pondered gravely over her new pro-
ject, and in ten minutes time real
lied that it was good. She would
marry MT. Harding and prolong her
stay indefinitely in this delicious
place. There must be q way for a
person to ask another to get married.
wonder if | can find it in any of the
books. There is the one where Cous-
in Molly found how to make a rare
She rufied the pages tenderly.
The Courtship of Miles Standish'
lIdS SlFSA HSA JdFI hlSt pep III tLC
world of poesy, and she was grateful.
Suddenly her face flushed. She turned
to a certain page. why, of course"
she said. 81 might have remembered.
How easy!"
She tucked the book under her arm
and walked to the studio door.
Bessie she called into an inner
room, "I'm going TO Mr.. Harding's."
She went swiftly down the wide
outer hall, past the doors of many
studios and Offices, until she reached
he last of all. She turned the knob
without knocking and stepped into
the large room. with the blue and gold
volume pressed against her thin arm.
How do you do, Mr.. Harding?' she
inquired sedately.
John Harding sat at his desk near
the window, where his lily blooms
made the one bright spot in the SOM
Der place.
Have you come to see me, chicka-
biddy?" he asked. Now, that's good
YOU. Sit dOWn."
He rose and pushed a huge leather
chair toward his caller. He limped
as he walked, and Augusta
upon the fact socially.
Cousin Molly says that that"-she
designated his lameness with a glance
like a medal badge of honor.
You got it in the war, didn't you? At
Santiago, she says"
Harding's face Redeemed. did Miss
Molly say that?' he asked softly. He
frowned at some inward reflection
and sighed. 3Yes-I got it in the war.
. nice little souvenir d'Espagne, eh?"
be added quizzically.
He drew his chair close to Augustus
and took her feshless little hand in
his. WELL" he inquired, eand how
goes. private and particular world?
Must we bow to circumstances and
go home to lessons next week?"
Augusta, brought full tilt against
her purpose, paused for a moments
preparation. NO" she assured him,
sober1y. Il don't think Sol don't
think I'll have to; but | haven't come
to talk about that. | have come on
an errand-a very particular Grand"
"Yes?" said Harding, with a smile.
And what is it, chickabiddy?"
Augusta folded her hands over her