The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1913-06-20
was fresh and clean, with tang OF
1ha distant salt marshes.

spruce 00rQered the TOaQ, anu, "A~A
the aid of stone WALL shut OH from
the highway prosperous-ioohins
vegetable garden. Farther along
flower garden glowed in the fantastlc
coloring which gardens acquire Wheh
planted for the love Of flowers rather
than for definite artistic eHecls,
Farther still, two lilac bushes STOOD
sentinel on either side OF gate
way; and behind deep green lawn
lay under the light, dappled shade OF
tall trees. 1t was lawn that spoke OF.
many years of care; and in the MID
die of its velvet green. under the
branches Of two sheltering elms, STOOD
the old red house. 1t looked comfort
able and secure, in Its homely SIM
plicity; something to depend on In the
otherwise mutable scenes OF llfe'
Aleck felt an instantaneous liking for
it, and was glad that his errand, SAD
as 1t might possibly be. had yet led
him thither.
Long French windows In the lower
part of the house opened upon the
piazza, and from the second story
ruffled white curtains fiuttered to the
breeze. AS the shield-shaped knocker
changed DULY to Alexis stroke,
large, melancholy hound came slowly
round the corner Of the house, ap-
preached the visitor with tentative
wags Of the tail, and after smiling
mildly, lay down on the cool grass.
1t wasn't house to be hurried, that
was plain. After a wait Of five or
ten minutes Aleck was about tc knock
again, when face appeared at one
of the side-lights of the door. Present
ly the door itself opened few inches
and elderly spinsterhood, wrapped In
. severe inquiry, looked out at him.
> Can see the lady, or either Of the
gentlemen, who recently arrived here
from the yacht, the Jeanne D'Arc"
Alexis voice and manner were
. friendly enough to disarm suspicion 1t
;. self. Sallie Kingsbury looked at hin
, for full second.
:, Come in"
Aleck followed her into the wide
;. dim hall. and waited while she pulle'
down the shade of the sidelight whic
: she had lifted for observation. The
. she opened a door on the right an
said
= "Set down in the parlor while 6
y. and take my salt risin's away froI
- the stove. | amt had time to ca
o, my soul my own since the folks cam
y what with callers at all times Of tn
~ day"
Sallie's voice was not as inhospl
able as her words. She was mild
, hurt and grieved, rather than offende
She disappeared and presently can
~ back, with white apron on in pla'
% of the colored bingham she had wol
M before; but 1t is doubtful IL Aleck n
~ ticed this tribute to his sex. Sail
,"' looked withered and pinched, but mo
no by nature and disposition than by at
" She stood with arms akimbo near t
l0l comfortable, regarding Aleck with
'u' quisitiveness not unmixed with likiI
You can set down, sir" she ss
gu politely. but don't know as y
len can see any Of the folks. The mi
ihe he's upstairs sick, clean cut Of
n lo' head; the young man, he's nursl
'ne him. Can't leave him alone a mimi
or he'd be up and getting out the "
,wo dow, frall know"
nov Aleck listened alphabetically.
iian sad case! And what is the name
ies may ask. of the young man who
so ILL.,"
a1n "Lor', don't know" said Sal
mo THE new mistress, her names r
mond; some kin of Parson Thaye
em.. and she's got this house and LOT
- money. The lawyer was here yes
heu' day and got the will all fixed. She
mug singer. too-one Of those opery 8
'ne ers down below. she is"
Soa Sallie made this announcement
iea' If she was relating bewildering b
of Providence for which she her
CON was not responsible. Aleck, who
sa'u gan to fear that he might be the
'hce' cipient of more condolences
y III decorum dictated, hastily proff'
his next question.
ah' Can see the lady. Miss Redme
ipei Or is it Mrs. Redmond?"
Sallie gave scorpful. injured s
w Miss Redmond, sir. though 6
win old enough to be a Mrs. | wouldn
oe' much mind her coming In here
liiiA' using the parsons china that al,
mag washed with my own hands II she
nave a Mrs. But what can she, an un
'asea ried woman and an opery singer.
Aiech about Parson Thayers ways and
Aoou' ing this house in order. when
gers been with him going on sever
some years and he took me outer the +
Deeh when was no more than child
that Alexis heart would have
inc stone had he resisted this all but
'as sionate plea.
Weet You have been fafthfulness
came am sure. But do you think Miss
noWn mord would see me. at least for