The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1906-12-22

VI COuISS u very AOuu VI O"CAs
she unused. II love him very. dearly,
and when he's here it's all different.
but when he's out at work and I'm
alone-oh, it seems SO dull to be mar.
ried!" Her eyes grew wistful.
She leaned forward. gazing intent
ly into the leaping flames, but it was
no longer the white-tiled hearth and
polished brass that met her view; she
was far away.
oh. to be back there just for once.
with sunburnt hands and an old
frock, gay and careless with the home
crowd-but she paused. What would
Owen think? Had he not furnished
the fiat as daintily and beautifully
as possible to be a fitting background
for her, and how disappointed he
would be If he knew how wickedly
disconnected she was.
At that instant there sounded
sharp rat-tat at the door, and Turn
er, the maid, appeared with an or
ange envelope and silver salver.
"A telegram" Her mistress spir
its rose. "Oh, hope it's something
exciting, something delightful
tone fell. mo answer" she said. de-
jectedly, and, as the maid withdrew,
she tossed the crumpled missive into
the glowing fire. st
Detained. don't wait dinner.
Owen A whole day alone, and now
the whole evening, too" She pouted,
and her lips trembled like child's.
/ And then suddenly, as the sun
bursts out from a rain-cloud, soft
reliance overspread her face. She
drew a long breath, clasped her
hands, and in ecstasy whispered: 'Tl
do it,"
She ran to the clock-one of the
wedding presents. pretty, fragile
toy. Cupid swinging in wreath of
brilliants, and peered anxiously at
the dial
"Only i've! BY superhuman efforts
can catch the $40. reach Wcodcote
at seven. and be with them oil by
eight. What an inspiration, what a
stroke of genius!" She laughed joy
ously, all trace of boredom vanished.
I'll be back tomorrow, and II Owen
Is dining out he won't miss me for
few hours. Oh, how astonished
they'll be when / just walk in upon
them!"
She rushed to the writing table
with an impatient swish of her skirts.
Nov, must leave note behind me
On the mantelpiece, just as they do
In plays and novels" and with tri-
umphant little laugh she dashed on
4 hurried one.
Dearest must not think his wife
has deserted him; she has only run
home, and win be back early TO-
morrow; her love as always"
"There!" She closed and sealed
the letter, propping it up against the
Cupid clock
The grim Turner was considerably
surprised to see her usually immac-
ulate mistress leave the house twenty
minutes later clad in a shabby serge
skirt and much worn rusty tam o.
shanter.
Later that evening Mr.. vansittart
opened the door with his latch-key;
he was tired after long days work,
and the light and warmth of the fiat
struck an agreeable contrast to the
gloomy drizzle without.
His cheerful call of Peggy, where
are your" brought Turner from the
regions of the kitchen.
Mrs. vansittart thought you
would be dining out sir" she in
formed him, and has gone away.
There's note for you on the mantel-
piece. What orders shall / give cook
about your dinner?"
"A note-gone away, by Jove!"
said Vansittart to himself. Whats
up now?"
He tore open the envelope, and
smiled as he read. Turner watching
turtively, summed up his conduct IN
one word: "Heartless."
"Whatf' said her master, absent
ly. "Oh. no. I'll dine at the club"
but as the door closed behind the maid
he strolled to the window. mo, I'm
hanged If l WILL" he decided. I'm
not In the mood to turn out again,
or to dress. either. I've a good mind
to spend a bachelor evening here. A
bachelor evening"" he repeated; mot
q bad idea. They were good old
days, after all-ease before elegance, !"
he cast a disappearing eye about the
room. Strange what an amount of
frippery women surround themselves
with"
So he arrayed himself in his old
smoking jacket-relic of bygone days
piled coal on the fire, drew forward
the most comfortable chair, and pre-
pared for enjoyment.
Soon clouds Of smoke filed the
room, wreathing about the delicate
hangings and damask curtains, as he
pulled away in placid content, the silk
cushions in mangled heap proppfng
his head. He had arranged syphon
and decanter at hsl elbow, his slip