The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1915-01-23
4 COTTAGE AND LOVE
BY ROSE DUNDoNALD.

per SyndicateD
The black pony had an inconven-
lent habit of suddenly pausing in
the road and attempting a stolen
forty winks. Old age and a liberal
diet did much to foster this custom.
For the third time that morning
Fred Mason slapped the reins over
the satiny flanks and scolded the
black pony.
Memo Mason, You are the LATEST,
good-for-no.hing little beast, Please
please get along" The last words
were accompanied by a vicious little
slap of the reins.
Memo opened lazy eyes, blinked and
broke into 9. startled trot that car
ried the little cart and its pretty
driver through the woods and into the
road that ended in the village.
Suddenly Memo stopped shert be-
fore a pair of large iron gates. Be-
yond the gates were the beautiful gar
dens that surrounded the Lennox es-
tate.
"Oh, bother," she murmured. I
wish | did not have to decide Don
is splendid, but | do wish that he
wasn't so rich-and altogether de-
sirable." She sighed and slapped the
reins.
Memo responded soberly and re-
sumed his way.
Memo suddenly halted again, this
time before the neat white gate of a
cottage. A young man who was
trimming rose vine above the porch,
turned quickly and then came eagerly
forward. 1t was Frank Deane.
Good morning, Freda," he greeted
her, leaning into the cart to shake
hands. Il was thinking about you at
the very instant you stopped"
You must thank Memo for this
call, said Freda with a little blush.
He stops anywhere at the most in
opportune moment"
1T is opportune for me, because,
Freda-" he laid his hand over her
little gloved one, Il was coming
around to tell you something this aft
ernoon. Let me tell you now, dear.
I've been promoted in the bank, and
now l can offer you something more
than bread and cheese and roses in
a cottage! You know I've always
loved you,"
Il know it," murmured Freda, but,
oh, Frank, am not sure about my
elf-and-and-oh, don't look that
way. 1t isn't the cottage and the
bread and butter-you mustn't think
that"
How can I help thinking that has
something to do with it when | know
when know that Lennox has"
please don't say anything about
that" interrupted Freda sharply. I'VE
are speaking of you"
ME anu my cottage" laughed
Frank bitterly.
Memo was surprised by tingling
lash from the whip.
Good morning, Frank smiled
Freda over her shoulder.
The next morning when he en-.
tered the bank Frank learned that the
Lennox millions had been reduced
to few thousands, and that Don Len
nox would retire to a little farm be-
yond the village and become a market
gardener.
In the afternoon came a telephone
summons from Freda. Come over
at five," she said; Il have something
to say to you. Frank"
His hands we're full of late flowers
from his garden when he turned into
the gate of the modest house where
the Masons lived.
"A message from the cottage!" he
said significantly as he gave the chrys-
anthemums to Freda
Il am sorry, Frank, but my answer
is lot what you hope. l am fond Of
you-but not that way. l have prom
ised to marry DON"
Don't be hasty, Freda! The-the
Lennox fortune has dissolved into
nothingness-he is a pauper COM
pared with me-and-"
Freda's hand was lifted in protest.
a strange smile curled her lips.
Il love him, Frank she explained
gently. He can never be a pauper
with the wealth of my love! / was
afraid to admit it before-I was
afraid of all that money, but now
that it has vanished | can see clear
ly-that it is Don Lennox / love after
ALL"