The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1913-10-24

and you Will be Miss Noir." Tnen 81
she twisted her mouth. She makes a
me feel like tearing up things. l don't S
like her. hoped you'd be on my a
side" L
He came down the steps gravely. C
"She is my friend" n
I'm a good deal like you," Fran f
declared. following. Il can like most
anything and anybody; but can't go t
that far. Well, don't like Miss Noir b
and she doesn't like me-isnt that I
fair?" {
Examine yourself" he advised,
"and find out what 1t is in you that she
doesn't like; then get rid of what you
| find"
HUH" Fran exclaimed, I'm going
to get rid of her, all right"
He saw the old elfsh smile now
when he least wanted to see 1t, for II
threatened the secretary, Knocked the
grave superintendent, and asserted the
girls right to like-whom she pieasea'
Fran escaped, recognizing defeae'
but on her homeward way, she was
already preparing herself for the next
move. So intent was she in estlmat-
ing the forces of both sides, that she
, gave no heed to the watchful races
at cottage windows, she did not recog'
: nize the infrequent passers-by, nor on
I serve the occasional buggles tnal
pcreaked along the rutted road. win
+ Grace stood. of course, Hamilton Greg
i DRY: and, Judging from Bob Ciintons
q regular visits. and his particular atten-
tons to Grace. Fran classed him also
, as victim of the enemy. 1t now
- seemed that Abbott Ashton followed
- the flag Noir; and behind these three
- leaders, massed the congregation Oh
. Walnut Street church, and presumably
~ the town of Littleburg.
- Fran could count for her support an
=. old bachelor with weak heart, ana an
80 old lady with an ear-trumpet- The ooos
no we're terribly against her.
~ The first light skirmish between
-. = Fran and Grace took place on SUNDAY
az All the Gregory household were a.
;, late breakfast Sunday-schooi pens
. were ringing their first call, and 'ne,'
was not a cloud in the heavens rs oi'
ne 90 a mans hand, to furnish excuse 10
- non-attendance.
lss The secretary fred the first sno
'ry Anropos of nothing that had gone On
'ne fore. but as If 1t were an integral pa'
Dry Of the conversation, she offered-An'
Mrs Gregory, it is so nice that 20
cad can 90 to church now, since, II Era
doesn't want to go, herself
vas (Which she doesn't, herself" Fra
loa interjected. ,.,,
red, "so presumed" Grace remark'
'om o,rnifcantly. MRS. Gregory, FTi
can stay with your mother-since 81
ran doesn't care for church-and you .
the. attend services as you dio "hen ! ~
De came to Littleburg."
is. 81 am sure" Mrs. Gregory sald q
anne etly chat 1t would be much pet'
man for Fran to go to church. she oue
the n go-I don't like to think OF her 81
yes; ing away from the services-ano
tne duty is with mother"
not Grace said nothing, but the expr
s,on Of her mouth seemed to cry aio
nam Duty. indeed! What did MRS. ures'
IIHIN Lnow about duty, neglecting the
lll'IIl who had made her, to stay Win an
=. ,adv who ought to be wheeled
IN church! Mrs. Gregory was willing
2 Sor husband to fight his Christ
- warfare alone. But alone! MOI
nile Grace could go with him.
a. Gregory coldly addressed TT
9yS .Tban will you go to church!
sxD in0 ~ he complained. Since
M Si ~ might laugh" said Fran, Il
Wv understand religion" .s,,
Win Grace felt her purest ideals lnsu
2fN Che rose a little pale, but VIII
40 r,,donass "Will you please Ok
10 me?" she asked with aomiiaD''
~ stralnt ,.o, creoor
~. .,o;,ned disturbed. That she 81
ri h no driven from his table by an !.
siMx to their religion'was intoiefaoio'
. Grace-forgive her." =. a,o
Mrs. Gregory was pale ior sne
nod fe,t the blow. "Fran!' she
;" She claimed reproachfully.
'aint. Old Mrs Jefferson stared IRON
-, ha girl seated at the table 70 sne
lrs ~. s aT secretary, and her eyes klnole sl
not 'a' admiration. Had Fran commands
49,, ~ dragon" to "standr ..s
ana ~ simon Jefferson held his neao
!, G 3 90 to his plate. as If hoping tne
. saa - ro !, might pass over his head. oa
search, ' Don't go away!" Fran criea'
between wee. come at sight of Mrs. Gregory
y sexs, trssa "sit down. Miss Noir.
iMols . na the one to leave the room, .
lh ,sa ing i u big enough for both OF U.S.
a Ds. a ned t aarted up. and ran to the head
NV right table. ..,d nor face
orthy Of MIS-. uiee
within hands. a,,,, mo
oss, xoa. "to think or giving w