Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1914-06-20
RUBY NELL'S LOVE.
II Was H. 1 TO Fathom, but
Everything Came Out lust
as 1t Should.
BY M. COLUMBUS HAMILTON.

Il don't understand Ruby Nell, sald .
Mrs. lockwood. petul. atty I've done |
all can possibly do persuade her .
to carry out her contract with Roger |
May. but she's as stubborn as mule /
Perhaps you have done too much
The squire chuckled as he thus mildly /
reproached her.
That's just it, my dear interposed
Mr. lockwood. I'VE have been too
anxious. Matters of love are best left /
alone"
Somebody said the wedding was to
be this Thanksgiving day" said the
squire He looked inquiringly from
one to another.
Why, he even had his license
squire said Mrs. lockwood, vehe-
mently, and by giving him up for that
fippant little city brat Ruby-Nell has
crushed the heart OF ole of the grand
est young men this community ever
saw" Mrs lockwood emphasized
this statement with a sweeping ges-
ture.
There's no doubt about that" the
squire admitted. They say Roger
never speaks of it though. Not long
ago some of the boys he had been
running with went to him and offered
to tar and feather the dude, but
Roger says: No, boys. we have no
right to interfere"
The dude is gone now these three
days" said Mrs. lockwood, after
pause. A perceptible sigh escaped her
as she glimpsed the snow-clad wood
land which stretched away to infinity.
"Ruby-Nell has done nothing but la
ment for him. She has cried until
her eyes are red. and she Amt ct
/ bite in two days"
! Are you sure, dear" said Mr.. Rock
/ wood, that she is lamenting for the
other fellow mean the one that
left?"
What else can II be. James? Sister
Jennie tried to coax her to make up
with Roger and Ruby-Nell looked dag
gers at her"
At the mention OF her name Misc
Jennie, the spinster sister OF Mrs.
lockwood, and a recognized paragon
Of matchmakers, became alert. Roger
is stubborn, too" she said. He Is so
polite and good! but he won't bulge
an inch. l told him a falsehood today,
and II the expected happens therell
be an earthquake in this house to-
night"
La. Jennie!" exclaimed Mrs. Rock.
wood, removing her spectacles. The
squire shifted uneasily. in his chair
and cleared his throat. Mr.. lockwood
laid his Bible down.
"A falsehood on Thanksgiving dayr
queried the latter.
"A lie on Thanksgiving day Is about
the same as on any other day, Brother
lockwood" said the squire, He real
ly meant only to relieve the situation
TITS none of your business. Squire
Cox, I'll give you to know! Snapped
Miss Jennie She nursed an ancient
grudge against this township function
airy. He had formerly been q sutton
without success. but when he wal
chosen justice Of the peace she hat
offered to share his honors and he HAD
refused.
Tut, tut, Jennie" said Mrs. Rock
wood. raising a restraining hand
Now tell US Just what you tclc
Roger"
: 1T is a secret, and / will not tel
it," declared Miss Jennie, doggedly
, Miss Jennie had long been the auto
crat of the lockwood home and ever,
one questioned the wisdom of furthe
challenge.
You should remember, Jennie,
said Mr.. lockwood at length, tina
this is a matter in which we are quit
= as much interested as you are. and
: you have said or done anything tina
will embarrass Ruby-Nen we have
\ perfect right to know it."
James lockwood" she replied, he
eyes flashing fire, have | ever don
anything to embarrass you or you
family"
No, no, Jennie, but"
According to my way Of thinl
9 ing" the squire hesitated, allowin
s one look from the spinster to silenc
u him.
But this is an occasion. and thes
are circumstances which have q
. precedent in our home" said Mr.. Roc
IL wood with gravity.
1T is your duty" said Mrs. Roc
wood, sternly, TO be actin fair an
. square, to tell US what you told Roge
u and you've got to do it,"
A sharp click was heard at the doc
leading into Ruby-Nell's room, and II
O. little group at once became all ear
Ruby-Nell entered and stepped light
to her aunt, whose distorted face ST
. smothered in her apron folds.
:. Come with me, aunty," she said.
- Its no USE" said Mrs. lockwood
its no use trying to coerce Jenni
She was always that headstrongi"
- :; Let us leave the matter with Il
Lord" said Mr.. lockwood. openiI
- again the well-worn Bible.
- Have the boys chunk up the fire
James," said Mrs. lockwood, risin
"and l will go and help Mary with Il
p turkey. Wen not let these fuses
% terfere with our Thanksgiving. VIII
~ little of it there is left"
q It's a new idee, Sister lockwood
. said the squire, iovially 1--WE dol
90 hear Of Thanksgiving supper We
often. It's mostly always Thanksg
no dipnar oalobrata +ryioa tod,