Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1907-04-21


 forces with her cousin. and between them they gave the prospective heiress small peace.
 Obstlnacy, pure and simple-that was what ailed Josefa. So said her two elders in cOnclave. There could not possibly be anybody in Melvln's way. Josefa had been sent to school, the strictest possible boarding school, when she was barely thirteen. Since she came back from it none of the young sters roundabout had done more than speak civilly to her. Not one had so much as come to the house. except Clayton Trigg, who was faroff cOus in and had come to buy yearlings and fat lambs. In virtue equally of his klnship and a sudden shower he had stayed to dinner and after it had shak- cn hands cordially With both the ladies of the house. All he had said to ,JOsefa was that if she happened to be at the county fair next fall he hoped she would look at his saddle horses, Mug gins and Mill Boy. as he was sure they would win the blue ribbon.
 At fair time, with Iosefa still obdu rate, Mrs Clayton had doubts as to go ing, but Mrs. Dalton overruled the doubts. Thus the three went together in the Dalton barouche, and for the best part of the day .]osefa was handed over to Melvin. Just how she mana geI it she never knew, but toward f o'clock she slipped away from him and lost herself in the crowd 1t was a deli ciOus sensation All the late summer she had been telling herself she would run away if she had q chance, but how could she when she had not so much as q dollar of her own? Sbe almost ral until she came to the farther side of the amphtheater At the foot of the stairway she found herself stopped. her hand strongly gripped and q frank. sunburncd face, with honest blue eyes smiling down at her. but flushing in spite of it's sunburn.
 Mrs. Dalton was off with a knot of the daughters. Mrs. Clayton stood rapt In contemplation of prize patchwork. Each believed Josefa safe with the other; also that Melvin was a further guard Therefore they smiled amiahly when the ringinaSter shouted that there was a new feature, q wedding in the exhibit of Scrolsaw, Narnish X Go, the enterprising furnishing men. A popular young couple had agreed to be married in the parlor arranged by the firm, who meant to show their ap- preciation by making the newly wed d present of the suit. Mrs. Dalton said to her next neighbor: .Oh, 1 reckon it's somebody from the back country. It must be. Only pumpkins and their sweethcarts still tolerate parlor suits"
 The neighbor nodded. but added: l Let's go and see. I come to fairs mostly to see that sort of people. They are sociological exhibits, you know better worth while than anything in the ring"
 "nO you think so? Then let's hurry 1 spite of hurrying their progress was l slow. They came close enough at last l to hear without seeing After the ben ediction the crowd drew it's breath, and women in it whispered: "Why. did you ever. The girl looks radiant and quite the lady. And the fellow didn't kiss her, although the squire bade him I do it."
 1 Here they come"' said others, fall { ing apart to make way. Mrs. Clayton had somehow met them-M Melvin was across the way with Amelia Ware. her eyes downcast, clinging to his arm. Between them. bright eyed, head up, walked Mir. and Mrs. Clayton Trigg. Josefa went straight to her mother l saying demurely, but with the least hard drawn breath: "We're going on a little trip. mother, but it won't be ex- l travagant. The money for the parlol ! suit-we sold it before we earned it will more than pay expenses. You stay with Aunt Ria. please. till we get back"
 And then we're going to take care of you always" Clayton Trigg inter rupted.
 Mrs. Dalton was too stunned to speak, but Mrs. Clayton said composed l ly: "Well, Joe, l suppose you had to follow your nose. The Morrises all
 ways did have their own way"