The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1907-06-20

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 a faroff cous-
In and had come to buy yearlings and
fat lambs. In virtue equally OF his
kinshlp and a sudden shower he had
! stayed to dinner and after 1t had shak-
en- hands cordially with both the ladies'
was that IL she happened to be at tho
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 JOsefa 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 JOsefa was handed
over to Melvin. Just how she managed
1t she never knew, but toward O'clock
she slipped away from him and lost
herself in the crowd. 1t was q deli
cious sensation. All the late summer
she had been telling herself she would
run away II she had chance, but how
could she when she had not so much
as dollar OF her own? She almost ran
until she came to the farther side of
the amphltheater. At the foot of the
stairway she found herself stopped,
her hand strongly grlpped and frank,
sunburned face, with honest blue eyes,
smiling down at her, but flushing in
spite Of its sunburn.
Mrs. Dalton was of 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 amiably
when the ringmaster shouted that
there was new feature, a wedding in
the exhibit Of ScrOllsaw, Varnish &
Co, 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-
probation by making the newly wed
present of the suit. Mrs. Dalton said
to her next neighbor: "Oh, reckon it's
somebody from the back country. 1t
must be. Only pumpkins and their
sweethearts still tolerate parlor suits"
The neighbOr nodded. but added:
lets go and see. l come to fairs
mostly to see that sort Of people. They
are sociological exhibits you know
better worth while than anything In
the ring"
"DO you think so? Then let's hurry"
Mrs. Dalton agreed. but somehow In
spite Of hurrying their progress was
slow. They came close enough at last
to hear without seeing After the ben
ediction the crowd drew its breath,
and women in 1t 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
do It,"
Here they Gomez said others, fall
Ing apart to make way. Mrs. Clayton
had somehow met them-Melvin was
across the way. with Amelia Ware, her
eyes downcast, clinging to his arm.
Between them, bright eyed, head up,
walked Mr.. and Mrs. Clayton Trigg.
Josefa went straight to her mother,
saying demurely, but with the least
hard drawn breath: We're going on a
little trip, mother, but it won't be ex-
travagant The money for the parlor
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
ly: "Well, Joe, suppose you had to
follow your nose. The Morrises al
ways did have their own way"