The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1914-01-10
CHAPTER XXI.
The Street Fair.

Littleburg was trembling under the
fearful din of a carnival too big for II,
when Abbott Ashton, after his weeks
of absence returned to find himself at
Hamilton Gregory's door. He discov-
cred old Mrs. Jefferson in the front
room-this July night-because old
age is on no friendly terms with fall
ing dew; but every window was open.
Come in," she cried, delighted at
sight of his handsome, smiling face
he had been smiling most of the time
during his drive from Simmtown with
Robert Clinton. Here | sit by the
window, where sometimes | imagine |
hear a faint, far-away sound. judge
it's from some carnival band. Take
this chair and listen attentiyely;
your ears are younger-now!"
Abbott did not get all of this be
cause of the Gargantuan roar that
swept through the window, but he
gravely tilted his he'd. then took the
proffered ear-trumpet: You are
right" he said, Il hear something"
IT'S the street fair" she announced
triumphantly. But sometimes it's
louder How fine you look, Abbott
just as if your conscience doesn't
hurt you for disappearing without
leaving clue to the mystery. You
needn't be looking around. sir-Fran
isn't here"
81 wonder where she is?" Abbott
smiled. I'm dreadfulsy impatient to
tell her the good news. Mrs. Jeffer.
son, I'm to teach in a college-its a
much bigger thing than the position
lost here. And ! have a chance to
work out some ideas chat know Fran
will like. | used to think that every.
thing ought to be. left precisely as il
is, because it's been that way so long
i mean the church; and schools
and-and society But I've made uI
my mind that nothing is right, unless
il works right"
Mrs. Jefferson listened in desperate
eagerness. "a watch?" she hazarded
Exactly" he responded hastily "Ii
a watch doesn't run, what's the use oil
it's being pretty? And If churches de
velop a gift of tongue instead of char
acter. what's the value of their pray
ers and songs? And I've concluded
that If schools don't teach us how to
live, they have the wrong kind o.
springs and wheels. Where is Fran
Mrs. Jefferson?"
STILL" she temporized. I'VE CAM
get along without watches, Abbott"
mo. nor schools, nor churches. Blu,
they must have good works. Is Frar
down at the fair. do you Think"
The other bent toward him stealth
ily. ASK where Mrs. Gregory is" she
said. wonderfully significant
"Well?"
Abbott, listen: She's gone a.visit
ing!"
Visiting" Abbott was surprised.
"Yes, visiting. she that hasn't beer
off this place to visit a soul for ages
tell you, boy, times have changed
here. Maybe you think nobody'd bs
left at home to visit; but Fran has
found that there is a woman in towr
that she used to know, and the woman
has a mighty sick child. and Lucy
has gone to sit by it, so the mother
can rest. Think of that, Abbott. tninl
of Lucy going anywhere. My! Have
you heard that we've lost a secretary
at this place? | mean the future Mrs
Bob. Yes. she's gone. I'd as soor
have thought Of the courthouse being
picked up and set in the parlor."
Mrs. Jefferson drew back and saic
succinctly: Fran did it,"
Her cap quivered as she leaned for
ward again. Get her to tell you al
about 1t. We darsent speak about 4
much because of the neighbors. w,
conspired, Fran and |. Yes, She,
down at the carnival. you boy!"
Abbott hastily departed. Later h,
found himself in a cloud-burst of con
fetti. on the city square" and wher
he had cleared his eyes of the red ant
white snow, he saw Fran disappear
ing like a bit Of crimson glass at III,
bottom Of human kaleidoscope. Frar
had thrown the confetti. then fed
how much brighter she was than al
the other shifting units Of humanity
He fought his way toward her de
terminedly. finding she was about I,
be submerged. Was she actually try
ing to elude him?