The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1910-08-13

his shoes with a yellow coating. AS
he noted each new phase of the ca
tastrophe he burst into another roar
of laughter. His companion sat in the
road and regarded him stonily Final
ly. Ralph saw that her face was grow
ing very pale. and at the idea that she
might really be hurt, his laughter sub
sided. He gently tried to help her up
She struck at him awkwardly. her eyes
flashing, but said nothing. Ralph was
really alarmed for by this time her
face was very white Are you hurt,
madam" he asked. anxiously. No an
swer. He began to talk. hoping that
she would break her angry silence.
Il hope you will forgive me for
laughing. You see thought you were
-er. some one else. And was so sur
prised could not help laughing. Tell
me whether you are hurt. Let me
help you" His face looked so hand
some and so appealing that the stony
+, expression of the woman softened q
trifle.
We'll, the least you can do is to
help me home" she said, grufhy I'm
all shook up" She evidently blamed
him for her fall He raised her. and
she leaned on him. grunting and
groaning-
They walked on. She said nothing.
Finally he began to be unpleasantly
aware of her weight His arm
seemed almost paralyzed and
drops Of Precipitation came out
on his forehead He stood
still moment In the road. Would
you mind changing to the other side?
! could support you with my right
arm. This one IL getting q little
tired" The long lips set into a grim
line Can't" responded the woman.
MY other arms hurt too bad" He
wondered vaguely how her arm could
possibly be hurt. but said nothing. The
woman urged him on. 1t seemed to
Ralph interminably.
She did not speak except to urge
him to walk faster. Finally. they
made one last turn and came within
sight of small gray house set well
back from the road In a garden OF
roses Red ramblers climbed over
fence and porch
AS the two drew near. young girl
arose from the steps and hurried to-
ward the gate. {" Oh. are you, hurtf
Are you hurt?" she exclaimed, breath
lessly to the woman. The latter put
out her injured" arm and opened the
gate with bang NO! fell down
but want hurt a mite. Would ha'
been home an hour ago only l wanted
to teach some smart fools . lesson.
She strobe up the walk and into the
house. letting the screen door slam
after her.
Again the helpless ut of laughter
came upon Ralph. He leaned against
the gate. rubbing his numb arm and
shouting with mirth. This time he
had sweet echo, and looked into q
rosy face dimpled with fun. for after
one blank moment. and glance at the
state of his attire. the girl had
seemed to divine all. in fash.
n The young man looked down some
what ruefully at his coat and shoes. Il
seem to have received the worst Of It,
he said.
The girl looked up with trace Of
shyness. You could come In and
clean up. Do not mind her. she's pc
culiar. but"
| He broke In with question ANY
relation?" he asked. What II she
should be the mother!
| mo! Oh. no! We are boarding here
my mother and |. Mrs. Thurston
takes boarders every summer"
She started toward the house. and
Ralph followed Mrs. Thurston met
them at the door. She led the young
man to room, supplied him with
! water and clean towels In grim silence.
But as she was leaving she paused
Gimme that coat" Ralph handed II
to her. and she disappeared
Presently she brought back the
coat The long rip was neatly mended
Guess this'll do till you can see q
tailor. Dinner ready In half an hour"
That dinner was q memorable event.
the long bay windows where the
ramblers climbed In over the sill Mrs.
Thurston lost some of her grimness.
and even smiled once or twice. Mrs.
Farrand. the girls mother. was very
gracious.
And the girl herselff She sat by the
open window. not In the blue dress he
had pictured. but In snowy white. In
her eyes were the lights and shadows
the expressions he had seen In the
eyes of the Dream Girl around the
bend In the stream. His wonderful
vacation had. indeed begun.
4 Afterward. he saw her alone for .
moment on the porch. The glove lay
in his pocket He was afraid to ask
her about It. Suppose It should not