The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1911-09-02


read: "'Abram Hewitt is doing
splendidly. He is the only money
lender in town. and IL one of the rich
men now. He is building a beautiful
home and Is very helpful to your
father and me. You would not know
him for the same Abram. He m
quires every day when you" She
broke on abruptly.
Gideon WINGED inwardly. IT
wouldn't do as a money-lender." he
replied: too much sympathy for the
other fellow. I've had to borrow.
myself"
Constraint fell with that. and Gid
con went to the smoking compart-
ment and sat himself down. gloomily.
in corner.
"Of course" he chided: Il might
have known some rich man would.
want her. I'm surprised she ever
got away from New England without
being married" With that he watch
ed vague and delightful dream
which had come into his life In the.
past 4S hours fade az the light Of
evening faded on the distant noun
tains.
The rich Mr.. Hewitt stalked into.
their conversation and spread him.
! self around like a wet blanket fire.
quentiy; after that Gideon tried to,
avoid him. and 40 did the school,
ma'am girl. But he was evidently q
character not accustomed to being.
ignored. 1t was patent to Gideon he
had nominated himself to be the hus-
band of little Miss Serena and that.
furthermore. Serena's parents were.
eager to ratify the nomination.
Once. when they were looking over
some OF the girls snapshots they
came to man posing under a tree
man with his hat tilted knowingly
back. unaware that he showed fore
head from which the hair was reced-
ing He had an upcurled, oily-lool<ings
black mustache. and wore q satisfied
smirk.
Who's that?" demanded Gideon.
That's Mr.. Hewitt" returned Ser
emo.
Why. he's oid!" cried Gideon. with
fierce triumph. And then he leaned
forward to look into her eyes. Bun.
don't marry himi He"
Mr.. Rushi"
For the FIRST time Gideon felt the.
weight Of the icy school teacher tone.
The humbled Gideon sought refuge
in the smoking compartment, where
he stayed until bedtime.
Next morning he recalled with ..
start that they were but II hours
from Gilesburg. He sought Serena
The schoolma'am girl was encased
In the manner which he knew strange
teachers adopt at an institute. She
was painstakingly polite and pain
fully friendly. and al impersonai as
the multiplication table. For once.
Mr.. -lvwitt did not get into the con-
versation.
Even at dinner. dining car extrav-
agance on which Gideon insisted be-
cause II was to be their last meal to-
gether. the girls armor remained in.
place
The hours passed inexorably. Al
most before he could believe 1t, the.
whistle screamed. the brakeman
cried "0ilesburg!" and Gideon was
standing in the aisle. saying goodbye
to Miss Blythe.
So with heart sore and rebellious
he descended into the soft darkness
Of the little town. suitcase In hand.
Mechanically he fumbled In his peck
cts for his trunk check.
The engine was taking water. Cid
con walked forward. for one more
look at the schooIma'am girl. Her
seat was toward the middle Of the.
car on the other SIDE The platform.
was high. and By standing on tiptoe
he could just see her.
Her head was turned away: chin.
on hand. she was looking out into the
darkness. There was a droop to her
not at all like the young woman who
had hidden him a cheerful goodbye .
few moments before Stealthily she
dabbed her eyes with her handker-
chief.
Just then the train started; 20 did
Gideon. He rushed up the steps Of
the car. treading on the toes OF the
conductor. and nearly knocking over
the porter. dropped his suitcase in
the vestibule. and marched up the
aisle.
Bun" be said. quietly. and cat
down beside her.
She turned. with a sudden catch
ing Of breath. There was 10Y I'm
her dAvv ewes vInconsrfo,,sIv 49,
stretched out her hand and Gideon
took II in hfs own.
"Oh!" she sighed. with . tremuIous
smile. ut seemed 90 lonesome. But
the train-we'rs leaving Cilesburg.
Where are you going7~
with you." he replied. simply.
But" she struggled to release.
her hand. you CAN'T" Her eyes
fell on the trunk-check between his
fngers ssYour frunk's hack fhare-