The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1910-01-21


ieast, mamma. Can't I? l wish you
could see Oras. They were clocked
beautifully. But she says they have
some at Gregory's that are lust as
pretty, though triAe more expensive,
Of course"
AS her mother did not answer she
picked up the hand mirlo r and exam.
med her face critically. 81 declare, if
haven't got a new lot of freckles
since morning-right ross the bridge
OF my nose! How provoking!" She
gave a prolonged sigh. What are we
going to lave for tea, mamma, and
when are we going to have it? I'm
as hungry as bear. Heigh-ho! We
mad dandy luncheon at Ora's-ice
cream and most heavenly salad! But
Mr.. Hall wouldn't stay. He said he
had urgent business down town. Oh,
It's nice to have money like the Orm-
lstons have. | don't see why we
haven't any. Some enc, way back,
must have bungled dreadfully-either
father or grandfather"
Frances WINGED. AS she turned her
face away tears came with a rush.
She could not speak. Fanny, having
freed her mind, applied cold cream to
her nose and drifted off downstairs,
whence came presently the merry
jangling of the piano. When an hour
| later Frances went down to get tea
| she found that a girl friend had come
in and that Fanny had invited her to
stay.
you can stay just as we'll as not,
Edna. don't know what we shall
have. l never do know. Mamma al
ways manages that"
Your mother is dear, Fam" re-
piled the girl. "She is perfectly lovely
to all your friends. But do you know,
| often wonder if, when she looks on
at us having our good times, she isn't
lone'y?"
"Oh, perhaps, but she has had her
day." returned Fanny, carelessly.
Frances heard with a pang. Yes, she
had had her day, and a very unsatis-
factory day it had been. When tea
was ready she called the girls and
they ate heartily. She herself could
swallow no more than bit of bread
and cup of tea.
"You don't look WE'LL" Edna suggest
ed, kindly. Don't you find the heat
very enervating?"
81 do, indeed" Frances answered.
Il never remember it to have set in so
early as this season"
And you can remember a good way
back, can't you, mammal" inquired
Fanny. mischieVously.
"Just twice as far as you can, my
dear"
| After tea Edna went home to get
| ready for the party and Fanny flew
upstairs for the same purpose. Twice
| she called her mother to perform little
services for her. She grumbled little
because her collar wouldn't pin
straight, and because some of the
hooks had been fattened under the
iron But at last she was dressed and
set off for the party, picture Of youth
and freshness and loneliness.
Frances, from the veranda, watched
her go down the street; then she
dropped upon the steps, in her old girl
ish attitude, her elbows on her knees
and her chin between her palms. The
moon rose presently. 1t was beauti-
full, understanding, soothing time, and
as Frances sat there she became calm,
almost at peace with herself and all
her difficult affairs. She had had her
day. She had lived her youth! Why
rebel?
The street was quiet and presently
when footsteps sounded they had al
most a startling effect Upon the still
ness. Frances listened. Nearer and
nearer they car1e, turned in at her
walk, stopped at her steps She looked
up dazedly into the face OF the man
who stood before her.
Good evening, Frances" he sail,
cheerfully He sat down beside her,
removed his hat and rumpled up his
Lair. Frances struggled to speak.
When at last she did these words
came in frigid tone:
Fanny isn't here" 1t was not what
she meant to say, but it was the thing
that was first in her mind, and in her
nervousness she gave 1t expression.
He received the remark calmly.
81 know. Gone to the Lofts party.
Too young an affair for you and me,
Frances, though we aren't so old.
either. Do you know what | thought
to-day as saw you ironing in that fur
mace of kitchen?" His voice had the
determination of desperate purpose.
81 thought that life might have been
very different for you If you had IN
trusted it to me 20 years ago"
1T wasn't my fault" poor Frances
gasT ed out miserably. Father made
me 10 as | did"
| turned on her sternly.
'lf he did. why in heavens name do