The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1907-06-01

Jack Read and James Bell went past
The gate. looked after them with
surprised disapproval.
"Sweethearts!" l cried. why. the
child has only just put her hair up"
Mrs. Vaughan laughed again.
shes Is, you know. had couple
of proposals before 1 was her age"
She matched a skein of wool critically
against the light For the matter of
that, believe they both propose to
her about once a week." She settled
upon the skein and resumed her work.
1T seems only the other day that you
used to call her your little wife.
Well, we'll! -. You were always fond
of her"
"Of course" / agreed. "Of course
| am. Little girls are like kittens.
They ought not to grow up. 1t makes
one feel old" l sighed.
'Old maids and old bachelors are
always older than other people" Mrs.
Vaughan inspected the skein again, as
If she mistrusted it. why don't you
marry. George?"
| You aren't available" pointed
out. She threatened me with knit
ting needle.
MY age relieves me from the neces-
sity of boxing your ears"
my age relieves me from the neces-
sity of having my ears boxed"
You are a boy to me-" She shook
her head slowly.
you don't look &c." protested.
Pm 40 next week. You are SO,
aren't your l nodded. How old do
You feel?"
Anything from 25 to 100. / think
Sis has kept me young. shall miss
her If she goes and gets married" We
had been friends since she was q
baby.
You won't try to persuade her not
to. will you?" Her mother laid her
hand on my arm.
You over-rate my powers of per-
suasion."
Il am not so sure of that. She
thinks great deal of what you say
"Umph." / got up and took my hat
I'm afraid my reign is over. Anyhow,
she hasn't told me about the sweet
hearts. Good-by."
"Good-by" Mrs. Vaughan held my
hand trifle longer than usual. "You
will miss your little playmate
George" she said, gently. you've al
ways been so kind to her; so very
very kind. She'll never forget; but
-. Time flies doesn't it. If / were
you I.should replace her by wife
There are lots of nice girls"
I'm afraid l should be hard t.
please. Sis and Sis mother have sci
my standard. :. Bless them! Good
BY"
Then / went. AS ! was going slow
ly down the front path Sis swept in
at the gate. She caught me by the
arms and tried to spin me round. The
dignity of her years had not fully
come upon her.
my dear mani" she cried, you're
looking as solemn as funeral. VIVA;
is the matter with your"
"Sweethearts!" said.
She opened her eyes wide. She has
wonderful eyes and splendid LONG
lashes.
You haven't" she cried. IF It's
that horrid Miss Mellor I'll never
speak to you again. Then / be
lfeve it's Miss Gray? saw her talk
ing to you after church on Sunday
and you wouldn't take any notice Of
me- She isn't bit nice. So there!'
II didn't say my sweethearts," re
marked. She had the grace to blush
Mother has been talking nonsense
to YOU" She poked a stone with hel
parasol.
rs it nonsense, Kiddiew I always
used to call her that. But suppose
you won't tell me your secrets now?'
She chivied the stone through the
gate and into the gutter.
You don't want to know my secret.
now" she said, with an air of griev
ance. II suppose that Miss Gray
her hat doesn't suit her." She nodded
aggressively.
Miss Vaughan has new hat, Oh
serve She used to show me her new
hats before she was grown up.
wish you hadn't grown up, Kiddie.
well, pretend haven't" she pro
posed Lets go down the lane ant
fish for 'tiddlers; She laughed ant
took my arm. do you remembel
when fell in the pond?" l laughed
too.
Don't do that to-day. / can't pre-
tend you're little enough to carr!
homo. About those sweethearts
Kiddie?"
which," she inquired, innocently
Tell me about all of them"
We've only an hour and a half
She laughed wickedly, under he
breath.