St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1911-03-11

she was badly spoiled, and all along
had tyrannized over everybody, espe-
cially this gawky creature, willing as
she was gawky. Now, she was grow
ing unbearable-at seventeen girl
should know better than to be saucy.
Sybilla had taken cast-off clothes,
studied in cast-off books, waited on
everybody, and eaten at the second
table, unmurmuring. OF late she had
grown restive-the frocks were too
short-Mabel was several inches lower
than She Then, too, she had devel-
oped a quaint and ready bitterness OF
speech, an insight that was critical,
and worse still, a reckless regard for
the truth.
Therefore when Mabel asked tart
ly: well, Miss Smarty, where have
you been all afternoon?" she answered
with lovely flush, but clear-eyed and
high-headed: ooh, out riding with Len
Hampton. He saw me up in the apple
tree and said he'd give me drive for
three red apples
Just as you are? My" Mabel
gasped, glancing at Sybilla's faded
serge frock, scuffed shoes and bat
tered hat
Sybilla smiled softly, nodded and
murmured: II don't believe Len no
ticed what I had on-he was too busy
looking at me-"
II never heard such insolence.
Mother, she'll be the talk OF the
town. People have said always you
couldn't raise q forward daughter, but
I'm afraid"
"They won't keep saying it,"
Sybilla interrupted. Wrong, honey
Len says I'm as shy as I'm sweet.
Nab, did he ever say anything nicer
to your
"I'll send you to school day after
tomorrow" Mrs. Ray groaned. III
your poor father does say it's no use,
you've got to go"
''Thanky, ma'am-I've wanted to
this ever SO long," Sybilla countered
undauntedly mot for what books
will teach mel can get that at home
but SO as to rub off the angles and
make me sweet and attractive-ike
Nab"
She ended with a laugh Of genuine
amusement that had yet sound I'M
like her usual bubbling. Still, she had
her way about the frock after all, In
citing her father to exercise husband
ly authority for once, and send his
wife to bed betimes.
All next day she was singularly
gentle, singularly willing-not once
did she say briery thing, nor fail OF
doing the most exacting duty.
Rested and refreshed, Mrs. Ray did
marvels with the pink silk. When it
lay complete upon the bed in the
spare room, Mabel surveyed it with
a happy smile. and even said to Sy.
billa:
"Syb-when your time comes, I'm
going to see to 1t that you have new
things-and real pretty ones. or
course I'll be married then-but /
shant forget how nice you can be
when you try"
"Thanky, ma'am," Sybilla said, her
eyes dancing. But isn't it lucky. l
| never CdIOu lOl SioIhCos ~ 4 oAA SeA
If would spoil all my fun tonight. I've
nothing to wear to the hop. but my
pink organdy-and I've had to let
down every tuck in it,
you must have your joke" Mabel
said Smiling indulgently.
Sybilla also smiled. IF you take 1t
that way-Pm glad" she said. I
thought maybe you'd be mad as Tuck
er over my going, but when Len asked
me why, just had to say yes"
Mabel stared at her as II paralyzed.
''You-you don't mean to tell me you're
going with Len Hampton" she gasp
ed. "Why! IL was sure"
IT know" Sybilla nodded. But don't
you mind Nab I. won't ever cheep
to him what you thought. He's 60
ing to take us both, and Mrs. Dean
into the bargain-his car is big enough
you know, though we don't actually
need a chaperon, now we're engaged.
Oh, say Nab, will 1t be too much out
of the picture If I wear my diamond
ring with the pink organdy?"
Mabel said nothing In fact, just
then it appeared to her there was
nothing left to say. But when next
Sunday Peter Benn preached about
Leah and Rachel, she, of all the con.
gregation, understood him best.