Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1914-01-30
The Street Fair.
CHAPTER XXI.

LlttleDurg was trembling under the
fearful din of a carnival too big for it.
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 I
hear faint. far-away sound. I judge
it's from some carnival band. Take
this chair and listen attentively;
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"
Its the street fair" she announced
triumphantly. But sometimes it's
louder. How fine you. look. Abbott
just as II 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"
Il 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-it's a
much bigger thing than the position I
lost here. And l have a chance to
work out some ideas chat know Fran
will like. l used to think that every.
thing ought to be left precisely as II
is, because it's been that way SO tong
Il mean the church: and schools:
and-and society. But I've made up
my mind that nothing is right. unless
it works right"
Mrs. Jefferson listened in desperate
eagerness. "A watch" she hazarded.
Exactly" he responded hastily. "If
a watch doesn't run, what's the use of
its 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 II schools don't teach us how to
live. they have the wrong kind of
springs and wheels. Where is Fran,
Mrs. Jefferson?"
STILL" she temporized. I'VE can't
get along without watches. Abbott"
mo. nor schools, nor churches. But
they must have good works. Is Fran
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 been
on this place to visit a soul for ages.
tell you. boy. times have changed.
herr. Maybe you think nobody'd be
left at home to visit; but Fran has
found that there is a woman In town
that she used to know, and the woman
has a mighty sick child. and Lucy
has gone to sit by 1t, so the mother
can rest. Think of that, Abbott, think
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 soon
have thought of the courthouse being
picked up and set in the parlor."
Mrs. Jefferson drew back and said
succinctly: Fran did it,"
Her cap Quivered as she leaned for
ward again. Get her to tell you all
about 1t. We darsent speak about It
much because of the neighbors. We
conspired. Fran and l. Yes. she's
down at the carnival. you boy!"
Abbott hastily departed. Later he
found himself in a cloud-burst of con
fetti. on the city square" and when
he had cleared his eyes Of the red and
white snow. he saw Fran disappear
ing like a bit Of crimson glass at the
bottom of human kaleidoscope. Fran
had thrown the confetti, then ded-
how much brighter she was than all
the other shifting units of humanity
He fought his way toward her de-
terminedly. finding she was about to
be submerged. Was she actually try.
ing to elude him?