The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1911-01-10

long the Homer Byrd place began to
assume its former handsome appear
ance.
And they say" proceeded Harriet
Paine volubly, addressing the assem-
bled members Of the improvement So
ciety, that the whole house has been
done over. He's had the shutters OPEN
ed and the carpets all took up, and
most Of them was widowed and worth
less. He's had the furniture all pol
ished and the walls papered and new
chandeliers for Electricity put in. The
floors are hard wood, and he's bought
new rugs and lots of new things"
"Mr. Wixom says he's buying stock
for the farm" remarked Mrs. Wixom
eagerly.
"Yes, and they say he's going to farm
it again on the same scale as he did
before. There's 4 lan'scape man a-fiy-
ing up the ground, and guess it'll b.
the handsomest place in Upper Village
now" continued Harriet enthusiast
tically.
Like as not he's going to. be mar
ried," remarked Adeline Dare, voicing
the unspoken thought Of the other
women.
who do you suppose is the one?"
asked Mrs. Wixom curiously. The 9TH
er women were silent
II don't know" remarked Adeline
spitefully, "but guess l know several
who amt the one.''
Miss Paine laughed scornfully. Its
we'll for them who realize they amt
got no chance to up and say So"
The widow Dare flushed angrily and
turned her little gray eyes upon her
tormentor. And there's them who
amt never had n chance and never
will who don't never say die"
Esther Fray looked with distressed
eyes upon the quarreling women. To
her delicate sensibilities the coarse
ness of their arguments was like so
many singing blows. and she longed
TO escape to the quiet little cottage
where she had lived alone for many
years. The meeting had not adjourn
ed. however, and timid Esther dared
not make the first move. which might
attract attention to herself.
The irrepressible Miss Paine glared
angrily at Adeline Dare and opened
her thin lips to deliver 4 singing re-
tort, when Mrs. Wixom broke in has
tily.
Queer how he set to work all of n
sudden. wasn't it? You remember
that night we was all attacking about
it in the church parlor here. and the
very next day Homer Byrd went 10
New York, and when he came back he
had the men with him"
Sure enough and-I declare. never
thought about it till this minute" said
old Mrs. Smithers eagerly, but John
said when he come out Of the meeting
that night he went around to see if the
back blinds was closed and there sat
Homer Byrd on his little iron SCAT
a-looking 1T the grave which he'd GOV
cred with white laylocks. John didn't
say nothing. but jest tiptoed back
again"
That seat is most under the church
windows volunteered Mrs. WiXon in
q strained whisper.
There was no reply. The members
of the little group which had occupied
the corner by the window on that
memorable night looked at one anoth-
err furtively. Esther Fray was won-
dering with palpitating heart what she
had said that might have betrayed the
diftident interest she had always taken
in the silent. grief stricken man who
had been the subject of discussion
She hoped none of the others would
remember that she had arisen TO de-
fend him.
Miss Harriet Paine laughed harshly
I'm willing TO stand by what I've said
about Homer Byrd" she said. with q
reckless sh:ug Of her shoulders Il
guess Esther here'll stand in his good
graces as we'll as anybody. She spoke
right up for him"
"Oh, Esther amt bothering about no
men," interpolated Mrs. Wixom. with
good natured appreciation of .Esther's
confusion. We don't want her to
either. IL we lose our schOOlteacher
don't know what the children will
do"
To Esther's relief the meeting was
called to orier for another brief bust
hess session. and when it had finally
adjourned she slipped out and away Ia
her little cottage with a perturbation
that was unusual. She wished that
she had not opened her lips to defend
Homer Byrd. for it had only attract
ed unwelcome attention to herself.
Homer Byrd continued to beautify
bis house and grounds with undated
zeal. He worked early and late with
the laborcrs and was here there
and everywhere. His bent shoulders
Strengthened. his contracted chest
broadened with the deep breaths OF
wholesome air that he inhaled, his
eyes frightened and his step took Cd
the elasticity OF youth. for. after all
Homer Byrd was young man In his
fortieS. and when October came there