The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1914-08-28

stoutly to her plan. Cousin Anne had
fallen In with it ardently. For all her
thrift she had whole lot of family
pride. Moreover. she wanted Josefa to
get the Dalton money. So she Joined
forces with her cousin, and between
them they gave the prospective heiress
small peace.
Obstinacy, pure and simple-that was
what allied Josefa. So said her two
elders in conclave. There could not
possibly be anybody in Melvin's way.
Josefa had been sent to school, the
strictest possible boarding school, when
she was barely thirteen. Since she
came back from it none Of the young
sters roundabout had done more than
speak civilly to- her. Not one had so
much as come to the house, except
Clayton Trigg, who was a faroff cous-
In and had come to buy yearlings and
rat lambs. In virtue equally Of his
klnsh1p and a sudden shower he had
stayed to dinner and after it had shak-
en- hands cordially with both the ladies
OF the house. All he had said to Josefa
was that II she happened to be at the
county fair next fall he hoped she
would look ut his saddle horses. Mug
gins and Mill Boy, as he was sure they
would win the blue ribbon.
AT fair time, with Josefa still obdu.
rate, Mrs. Clayton had doubts as to
going, but Mrs. Dalton overruled the
doubts. Thus the three went together
In the Dalton barOdche, and for the
best part of the day Josefa was handed
over to Melvin. Just how she managed
1t she never knew, but toward 4 O'Clock
she slipped away from him and lost
herself in the crowd. 1t was q deli.
cious sensation. All the late summer
she had been telling herself she would
run away If she had chance, but how
could she when she had not so much
as dollar of her own? She almost
ran until she came to the farther side
OF the amphitheater. At the foot of
the stairway she found herself stopped,
her hand strongly gripped and frank,
sunburned face with honest blue eyes
smiling down at her, but flushing In
spite Of its sunburn.
Mrs. Dalton was off with knot of
the daughters. Mrs. Clayton stood rapt
in contemplation of prize patchwork.
Each believed Josefa safe with the
other: also that Melvin was a further
guard. Therefore they smiled affably
when the ringmaster shouted that
there was new feature, wedding in
the exhibit Of ScroIlsaw, Varnish &
Co., the enterprising furnishing men.
A popular young couple had agreed to
be married in the parlor arranged by
the firm. who meant to show their ap-
preciation by making the newly wed a
present of the suit. Mrs. Dalton said
to her next neighbor: "Oh. reckon it's
somebody from the back country. It
must be. Only pumpkins and their
sweethearts still tolerate parlor suits"
The neighbor nodded. but added
Lets go and see. come to fairs
mostly to see that sort Of people. They
are sociological exhibits, you know
better worth while than anything in
the ring" -.
''Do you think so? Then let's hurry"
Mrs. Dalton agreed, but somehow in
spite Of hurrying their progress was
slow. They came close enough at last
to hear without seeing. After the ben.
cdiction the crowd drew its breath,
and women in it whispered: "Why, did
you ever! The girl looked radiant and
quite the lady. And the fellow didn't
kiss her, although the squire bade him
do It."
Here they conner said others, fall
Ing apart to make way. Mrs. Clayton
had somehow met them. Melvin was
across the way, with Amelia Ware, her
eyes downcast. clinging to his arm.
Between them, bright eyed, head up,
walked Mr.. and Mrs. Clayton Trigg.
Josefa went straight to her mother,
saying demurely, but with the least
hard drawn breath: Were going on
little trip. mother, but it won't be ex-
travagant. The money for the parlor
suit-we sold 1t before we earned it
will more than pay expenses. You
stay with Aunt Ria. please till we get
back"
"And then we're going to take care
of you always" Clayton Trigg inter-
rupted.
Mrs. Dalton was too stunned to
speak, but Mrs. Clayton said compos-
edly: "Well, Joe. suppose you had to
follow your nose. The Morrises al
ways did have their own way"