The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1914-01-03
RUsE OF SISTER JEAN
BY MARTHA M'cuLLocH-WiL
LlAMS.


room from him her head bent, her
hands discolored but stitching deity
at Notwithstanding that reused
him to anger He flung his book half
way across the desk in front of him,
got up laggardly. and said, balancing
himself with both hands upon the
desk-top:
Patches are premeditated pov.
erty. You know that-yet you do
worse than patch. Is this the third or
fourth time you've made over that
hat?. I'm sick of seeing it-of seeing
you messing with it. A new one.
much better looking, would cost only
a couple Of dollars-I believe you in
sist upon trimming such things your
self
Correct! Every way" Jean an
swered impassively. Il am not in love
with my hat-making-nor even with
my own way of trimming. Maybe I
might be If"
If what?" Wingfield asked almost
savagely as she paused.
She smiled at him-rather a hard
smile but wistful. Il was about to
say If could buy the things l like
rather than the things l can afford"
she said.
You mean those poodle-dog feath-
ers that fly in the face of everybody"
Wing field queried.
She shook her head, saying, NO
praise be. Willow plumes don't tempt
me in the least. But l would like
say for this SUMNER real fine straw
the seven-dollar sort, as pliable as
cloth almost and very rich broad pale
purple velvet for bow and trail of
orchids. l say just the thing yes.er-
day-for seventeen dollars-and a
Paris tip, inside the crown-to make
believe it came from there"
60 get it," Wingfeld ordered, pull
ing roll of bills from his pocket and
tossing them to her.
She did not touch the money. She
looked at him steadily, smiling still
that old smile. Il have never yet put
the rent into finery." she said. drop
ping her eyes.
Wingfeld scowled. Il am begin
ming to believe it might better for US
il you did," he said. You're not bit
bad-looking--but nobody wants q
dowdy anywhere. That's how you're
left out of things. l have to go-it is
part of the game to be seen right
and things are slow enough as 1t is"
II have not complained" Jean said
calmly. at is not very-exhilarating
eating bread and cheese in the kitch-
en- alone. when you are with your
friends. Still, somehow / would rath-
er stick to the bread and cheese. They
do not bore me-not anything like the
gang which haunts those table d'hote
places"
Jean has risen, hat In hand. She
turned to the mirror and set it upon
her head. speculation In her eyes, q
stronger frown underneath the brim.
1T looks like a last years bird
nest" she commented, tossing it to
the ceiling and catching 1t askew.
Nobody would believe / was once a
fielder, though a substitute" she said
with a faint twinkle. do you re-
member the game Tim? Out In the
back lott was just thirteen and
gawky as a young calf-but l could
run-and had the only pair of real
legs left available"
Il remember-well," Tim nodded.
THAT was a game sure. Accident
was epidemic-ten of our noble team.
canned with sprained legs. arms.
shoulders-what not. But not one
could have caught the fly you did-it
saved the game for US. That reminds
mel met Treptow last week--and al |
most the first thing he said was:
Where is that sister Of yours? The
girl of the flyT"
You didn't tell him-of course"
Jean said quietly.
Wingfield looked down. you know |
I can't tell people," he said almost |
fretfully. IF they knew I've kept |
house they'd expect-O! hang It!
You know why"
Perfectly" Jean said. You are
ashamed to seem poor-youd mind
that worse. much worse. than being
poor. You like to be liberal-mind-
don't say extravagant. Since you
earn most Of the money, you have q
right to spend 1t as you choose.
have never complained-I never SHALL
But this ! ask-if Billy Treptow
comes in your way again-ask him
here to dinner"
"Ask him! When he has all the rich
folk running after him! Don't you
know that?" Wingfeld demanded.
Jean nodded. but persisted. ASK
him. / know he'll come-if you tell
him am to be cook"
Somehow Wingfeid did ask Billy.
In fact. he could not very well escape