Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1913-07-11

tie. She said NO" again and In way |
that told Jack Melvin at least the |
game was up. But Mrs. Dalton held on |
stcutly To her plan. Cousin Anne had
fallen In with it ardently. For all her
thrift she had "A whole lot OF family !
pride Moreover. she wanted Josefa TO
get the Dalton money. 80 she joined
forces with her cousin, and between
them they gave the prospective heiress
small peace.
Obstinacy, pure and simple-that was
what allied Josefa. So said her two
elders in conclaye. There could not
possibly be anybody in Melyin's way.
Josefa had been sent TO school, the
strictest possible boarding school, when
she was barely thirteen, Since she
came back from it none Of the young
sters roundabout had done more than
speak ciyilly to her Not one had so
much as cOpe to the house, except
Clayton Trigg, who was n farof cous-
in and had come to buy yearlings and
fat lambs. In virtue equally OF his
kinship and a sudden shower he had
stayed to dinner and after it had shak-
en- hands cordially with both the ladies'
of the house. All he had said to Josefa
was that IL she happened to be at the
county fair next fall he hoped she
would look at his saddle horses, Mug
gins and Mill Boy, as he was sure they
would win the blue ribbon.
At fair time, with JOsefa still obdu-
rate. Mrs Clayton had doubts as to
going, but Mrs. Dalton overrued the
doubts. Thus the three went together
in the Dalton barOuche, and for the
best part OF the day Josefa was handed
over to Melvin Just how she managed
II she never knew, but toward O'Clock
she slipped away from him and lost
herself In the crowd 1t was deli
cious sensation All the late summer
she had been telling herself she would
run away If she had "A chance, but how
could she when she had not so much
as a dollar Of her OWN She almost
ran until she came to the farther side
OF the amphtheater At the foot of
the stairway she found herself stopped,
her hand strongly gripped and frank,
sunburned face with honest blue eyes
smiling down at her. but flushing in
spite of its sunburn
Mrs. Dalton was off with knot of
the daughters Mrs. Clayton stood rapt
in contemplation Of prize patchwork.
Each believed Josefa safe with the
other; also that Melvin was a further
guard Therefore they smiled affably
when the ringmaster shouted that
there was a new feature, a wedding in
the exhibit Of Scrollsaw, Narnlsh &
Co.. the enterprising furnishing men.
A popular young couple had agreed to
he married in the parlor arranged by
the firm, who meant to show their APP
probation by making the newly wed a
| 10 her next neighbor: ooh, | reckon it's
somebody from the back country. 1t
must be Only pumpkins and their
sweethearts still tolerate parlor suits"
The neighbor nodded but added
Lets 60 and see | come to fairs
mostly to see that sort Of people. They
are sociological exhibits, you know
better worth while than anything in
the ring"
ADO you think so? Then let's hurry"
/ Mrs. Dalton agreed, hut somehow in
spite Of hurrying their progress was
slow. They came close enough at last
to hear without seeing After the ben
ediction the crowd drew It's breath,
and women in It whispered. "Why, did
You ever, The girl looked radiant and
quite the lady. And the fellow didn't
kiss her. although the squire babe him
do t."
Here they come said others fall
ing apart to make way. Mrs. Clayton
had somehow met them. Melvin was
across the way. with Amelia Ware. her
eyes downcast, clinging to his arm.
Between them bright eyed. head up,
walked Mr. and Mrs Clayton Trigg.
JoSefa went straight to her mother.
saying demurely. but with the least
hard drawn breath: Were going on a
little trip, mother. but 1t won't be ex.
travagant The money for the parlor