Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1914-04-18
The Man, the Mission
and the Maid
BY George Randolph Chester
Copyright by the Mcclure Newspaper syndicate)

more conscious of this than when, aft,
er the welcome home had quoted
down bit, he stroiled out and glanced
at the Blanchard porch. a dazzling
young lady over there was arranging
her fluffy summer gown picturesquely
AS she sat down in one of the big rock
ing chairs. She was supplied with
pink book. the color of which
matched her gown and her cheeks per
fectly, but before she opened the book
she gave the neighborhood a satisfied
inspection and SO saw the young man
looking out upon his boyhood sur
roundings with the new eyes of ex-
IRENE serious maturity.
Welcome to our beautiful city,"
called the girl gaily, rising from her
chair
1t was Miss Blanchard after all. He
had been in some doubt about it,
Pickles" he had used to call her. He
shuddered at the memory of the dread
full word. A year ago, too, he would
have vaulted over the picket fence
that separated the two lawns. and in
an instant more would have been
sprawling upon the Blanchard steps.
He remembered this also with a pang
as he lifted his hat and made a dig
nified bow to her; then he walked Sc
dately down the Gilman path and out
at the Gilman gate; he walked sedate-
ly over TO the Blanchard gate and
/ opened 1t; he walked sedately up the
r Ht1nNha rd he
/ ard porch, where he deposited himself
and his rigid Prince Albert carefully
upon a chair. after having shaken
/ hands most politely with the BIanch-
ard young lady. How you have bios
somedi" he observed with a fatherly
gravity that forbade any suspicion of
gallantry. Il should scarcely have
known you"
We all change" she solemnly re-
piled through lips that were full and
red and most deliciously curved. I'VE
bud, we blossom. We ripen and decay
Lite-ah, life is merclsss,"
Yes he admitted pensively, I'VE
are always growing older"
He was twenty-five and feeling for
a mustache; so the weight of advan-
cling years lay heavily upon him. Alice
blanchard reached over to lay her
pink book upon the tabourette at her
right hand, and the book-mark fell
out. 1t was a large, square, cream
tinted envelope and very fat. The
address was in mans bold chirog-
raphy. and Mr.. Gilman frowned as he
noted it, This sort Of thing was a
part of the folly he had left behind
aim forever. Miss Alice picked up the
letter. but she did not do it hastily.
nor blush. She put it carefully back
In the book; it was too sacred a thing
10 be treated fippantly. Already
Alice blanchard had met her Fate
She was a woman, now. with all the
responsibilities and cares that come
10 mature woman of nineteen.
Silence ensued. They looked out
upon the pretty suburban street with
thoughtful eyes.
1T must be fine to be a man." pres
emily sighed Miss Blanchard; ito be
able to go out in the world and fight |
for fame and fortune"
He turned reproachfui eyes upon
her.
"Fame." he expostulated. Fortune! !
There are too many of the worlds
greedy host after those empty hon.
ors."
Miss Blanchard was startled, but |
gave him instant comprehension. She, !
too, was just back from college.
True" she sighed How true"
"As for myself he went on, my |
de is cast. | have already engaged |
to devote myself, after a short period |
Of repose with the good grandparents |
who raised me, to the uplifting Of hui
mainly. Settlement work is to occupy
my time henceforth"
His eye was calm but stern. He |
did not glow with enthusiasm. The |
cause was not one for mere boyfsh |
fervor. It was a mans serious, sober.
solemn mission that he was under
taking.
How noble!" breathed the girl.
MOI" he protested 1T is merely
a debt that our family owes to hui
manity. Oh, you do not know, Miss
Blanchard. you cannot conceive of
the misery that abounds in this
world"
Miss Blanchard turned upon him
large wide eyes that we're deep and
somber with sudden sorrow.
Perhaps | do, though" she replied,
softly, Our own burdens teach us
sympathy and understanding"
Her eyes turned from him, In ex-
PLANTATION, to the fat envelope where
its edge peeped out from the book. The
envelope did not interest him much
and he returned to the eyes. They
we're remarkably pretty eyes, very
blue. indeed, and full of expression.
The lashes above them we're long and
curved. The hair clustering about her
white brow was of the exact golden
shade that had let him stretch a point
TO call it red when he was boy. Be
low its shining waves the tip of pink
ear was revealed. Her cheeks were
rounded and creamy. Her neck was
a firm white, beautifully modelled col
INN that supported her small head
most gracefully. Pickles! To think
that he had ever called her Pickles!
Grandfather and Grandmother Gil
,,ap uare inokinp ont of tho side u{p |