Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1914-10-02

terly attentions had given him today
this wonderful. wonderful pink tea
and this five hull pound o. Virginny
terbaccer."
He held the parcel close to his
bosom, and went on, still praisine
Blossy-this innocent old gentleman
needless of Angy's gentle tug at bis
coat-tail; while Blossy buried her alb
surdly lovely face in the pink flush
of a wild-rose spray. and the other old
ladies stared from him to her. their
faces growing hard and cold.
When Abraham sat down. aglow
with pride over his oratorical tri-
umphs, his chest expanded, his counte.
nance wrinkled into thousand guile
less. grateful smiles. there was abso-
Lutte silence.
Then Blossy. her head still bowed as
IL in shy confusion, began to clap her
hands daintily together. whereat few
of the others Joined her half-heartedly.
A sense of chill crept over Abraham.
Accustomed as q rule to deferential
attention, did he but say good morn.
ing. by no means aware that his throne
had toppled during the winter, he was
still forced to perceive that something
had gone amiss.
AS always when aught troubled his
mind, father" turned to Angy; but
instead Of his composed and resource
full little wife he found a scared-faced
and trembling woman. Angy had sud.
denly become conscious of the shadow
of the green-eyed monster. Angy's
loyal heart was crying out to her
mate: Don't git the sisters daown on
yer, Abe, 'cuz then. mebbe. yewll lose
your hum!" But poor Angeline's lips
were so stiff with terror over the pros
pect Of the county house for her hus.
band, that she could not persuade
them to speech.
Abraham, completely at sea, turned
next to her whom he had called his
guardian angel: but Blossy was rising
from her seat, a banning smile Of ex.
pectancy on her face. the rose spray
swinging in her delicate hand as II to
the measure of some music too far
back in youth for anyone else to hear.
Blossy had worn that expectant look
all day. She might have been delight
edly hugging to herself q secret which
she had not shared even with the
trusted Abraham. She was gowned
n her yellow lace, the beauty and
grace Of which had defied the chang
ng fashions as Blossy's remarkable
elegance Of appearance had defied the
passing Of the years.
Brother Abe,"-in her heedlessnees
II the mischief she had wrought.
3lossy seemed almost to sing-"I
lever shall forget your speech a. long
10 l live. Will you excuse me now?"
She swept out Of the door. her skirts
ustling behind her.
Abe collected himself 30 far a. to
low In the direction she had taken:
hen with lamblike eyes of inquiry met
he exasperated glances cast upon
lin.
Not sister moved or spoke. They
III sat a. II glued to their chairs. in Q
ilence that was fast growing appall-
ng.
Abe turned his head and looked be-
ind his chair for IN explanation: but
lothing met his eye. save the familiar
'icture on the wall Of two white kit
ems playing In the midst Of q huge
lunch of purple lilacs.
Then there broke upon the stiffness
he quavering old voice of Aunt |
fancy. from her place opposite Abe's |
t the head Of the board. The aged |
anne had her two hands clasped be-
ore her on the edge of the table.
ainly trying to steady their palsied
baking. Her eyes. bright. piercing.
she fixed upon the bewil-
cred Abraham with q look of deep
nd sorrowful reproach. Her unsteady
cad bodied backward and forward
nth many an accusing nod, and the
ap with its rakish pink bow bobbed
ackward and forward too. Abe
'atched her. fascinated. unconsciously
even In the midst of his
why the cap did not slide
Il her bald scalp entirely. To his
she addressed not himself,
ut Angy.
Sister Rose. yew kin leave the
oom." Implacable purpose spoke in
unit Nancy's tone. Angy started,
'oked up. going first red and then
'hite; but she did not move. She
pened her lips to speak.
Il don't want ter hear a word from
ew, nor anybody else," sternly inter.
osed Aunt Nancy. I'm old enough
n be yer mother. Go upstairs!"
Angy's glance sought Miss Abigail.
ut the matron's eyes avoided hers.
he little wife sighed. rose reluctantly,
ropped her hand doubtfully reassur.
g on Abe's shoulder. and then went
to the door.
From the threshold she looked visit.
lily back; but an imperious wave
ON Aunt Nancy banished her alto
ether. and Abe found himself alone
not with the sisters whom he loved,
1t with % hard-visaged strangers.
TO BE CONTINUEDJ
Il Ax> |.