The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1905-06-01

IN railway station, she felt that
this September day was a
white one in her calendar. She was
happily conscious, as She buried to-
ward the car, that for once she was
thoroughly well dressed, from the
plumes on her pretty hat to the tips
of her immaculate shoes.
Moreover, she was leaving the rou-
tine Of her home duties, the sometimes
exacting charge Of an invalid mother
and family of active young brothers
and sisters, TO spend two weeks with
a school friend-two weeks, she told
herself, In which to be merry and fool
fish and irresponsible. and to forget
Aunt Julia's constant reminders that
Life is duty
Marion thought she desired more
than anything else to be what she
called real all through and the real
tiles of dainty dress and harmonious
surroundings We're not always possible
on the small income which remained
from her fathers estate. AS she hast
ened On her way she was thinking OF
her mothers parting words
"Good-by, dear.' Mrs. Lincoln had
said. ENJOY yourself all you can.
butr-hesltating a little, as wise moth
ers sometimes do. over the expedlcncy
Of pointing a moral" remember to live
up to your clothes
When Marion entered the car In the
bravery Of her pretty brown costume,
more than one eye glanced at her
bright face with approval. and broad
shouldered young man, who bowed to
her as she passed his seat, thought
with a new interest:
"NNhat has the girl done to herself?
! never realized before how attractive
she is"
Marion herself felt that the presence
OF Paige Warren added the last touch
to the brightness OF her white day. To
be sure, she knew him only "a llttle,r
as she would have phrased ii. She had
seen him once or twice at the infre-
quent parties which the social life Of
Riverton afforded. and be had been
mice to her when they chanced to
meet, with the unfaillng politeness
which he showed to every one.
The handsome young fellow embodi-
ed to her much that she had most
longcd breeding. social position
and those winning personal qualities
which give significance to it all She
admired Alice Warren, Paige's sister,
even more than she did the young man
himself. and dreamed OF her friendship
as the height Of unattainable bliss.
Perhaps he won't know IT," she
said to herself. as she settled her valise
in the seat she had chosen. "but for
once | am dressed as well as his sister
Alice would be. and though I suppose
it is snobhish. somehow my fine feath-
ers make me feel finer every way,
body and spirit"
Then she was startled by a quaver-
Ing old voice close to her ear.
"Alr you goin' as far as BrandonT
It asked.
Marion turned to find the wrinkled
yet childishly round face Of little
old woman bending toward her from
the seat behind. The face was framed
by close, drawn-silE bonnet that had
grown rusty with long use.
Il am going to the first station be.
yond Brandon" Marion replied, civilly.
''Can do anything for you?"
She asked the question with a con
scious sinking OF the heart Surely
her white day, the day consecrated TO
entire leisure and elegance. was not
going to be spoiled by the intrusion Of
this strengthening old hodyl
why, she is perfect figure Of funr'
Marion groaned. inwardly. II can't,
/ simply cannot have her on my hands,
This is my vacation, and have earned
1t. One can't be doing ones duty all
the time. whatever Aunt Julia may
sayr'
II wish you'd come back and set
with me- the quavering voice persist
ed. unheeding the girls reluctant air.
'Tve got good deal to tell you. and
l can't half make you hear while
you're settin' so fur Off there, and the
cars rattlin' an rumblin' like all get
OUT
Il Will turn round toward you,
Marion said, reluctantly, "and then II
won't be necessary for me to move"
'The lands sakel 'Tain't such a
great piece of business just to move
one seat back. Anybody'd think to
hear ye twas Sabbath days Journey
There the old countrywoman qua
vered on, as Marion. yielding to her IN
sistence. rose and seated herself by her
side, that's sight more convenient;
and l nights wen hand 'em over 10
We right nowl'
Hand what overw Marion, in her
dislike Of the situation, was almost FOR.
getting her mothers injunction to 'live
up to her clothes" and spoke so alb.
vuptly as to verge on incivillty; but
the old woman, who was fumbling in
a dingy carpet bag, paid no attention.