The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1919-11-15
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DAWD'S LOVE
BY MILDRED WHITE.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.


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Abbie Vail bent over the pan of peas
she was neutrality-suspicious. in her
frm-pressed lips and somber eyes. Da-
vid was taking too much for granted
Just because they had been looked
upon as SweetheGrtS In their school
days was no reason why the old order
should continue Abhie blamed Da
vid for the general understanding; as
long as he insisted upon mOnOpOlizing
her evenings it must continue David
was so dense; Abbie'S ill-treatment of
him could not shake his allegiance.
She did not confess, even to herself,
that this devotion had but recently
caused her annoyance. Previous to
the arrival of the handsome stranger
she seemed to enjoy it.
Abbie had not actually promised her
self to David. and since the advent
of j. RadfOrd Stills she was conscious
of many crudities in David's appear
ance and manner. Of which she had
been heretofore hIisSfuIly unaware,
J. Radford. fastidiOuSly correct in
dress, winningly courteous in his
ways, was formidable rival. Little
Abbie was very proud as she walked
at his side down the main street.
Mrs. Vail had taken ]. RadfOrd Stills
as a summer boarder, upon his recon-
mendatiOn from an old friend of hers,
now located in that same city.
Abbie Vail had looked with awe
upon their guest, the neat sleeping
room seemed all at once bare and
unworthy of such a presence, so she
set about adjoining it with fav0rite
trifes of her own.
The dining table, too, was dressed
with fresh flowers, and Abbie herself,
dainty always in fresh muslins. And
David sat by, patient, vaguely trOu-
bled at her aloofness. Abbie won
dered, with a thrill, what 1t might
be like to be loved by superior be-
ing, and her triumph came with start
ling prOmptneSS.
J, Radford loved her, really loved
her, the little country girl, podding
peas on the old back porch into a
shining tin pan, Only last evening he
had told her so, speaking in a glorious
way as q being should speak, cOmpar,
! ing his love to the depth of the sea
apd his constancy to the stars which
shone above.
! David had never talked like that.
David was strangely shy before her,
always humble SO Abbie Vail was re-
bellious today, that David might not
know that she had outgrown a sim
pie, silent love, that he must force
the knowledge from her in so many
words.
With the acquisition of this admired
mans love Abbie felt far removed
from simplicity and homely surround
! ings. She despised the broken place
on the porch, the peas in the pan. She
intended to be like the women her new
lover had pictured-wOmen of his
wOrld-mOdish, charming. She hoped
/ that her mother would sell the old
place, and go with her to the city.
After ALL the farm was her own; 1t
had been grandfather's legacy to her,
emitting his daughters name from his
will because Of marriage which had
displeased him.
Mother had not minded; she knew
that this was her fathers way Of be-
slowing the homestead upon herself
after ALL In her widOwhO0d she knew
that Abbies home would be hers ALSO
/ The banker had suggested that for
her to sell now would be a wise move
Abbie hoped her mother would agree
to the plan. They could all three live
happily in the city together after he
and Abbie were married.
Her face frightened at the sound
of step on the walk, but 1t was only
David. David, with his new-weary
eyes, and kindly, believing smile.
He took no notice of Abbie's forbid
ding attitude, but. dropped down on the
step beside her, looking searchingly
into her averted face.
$50 you haven't heard" he said with
a sigh of relief. Reckon, then, I'll
be the first to tell the news, an maybe
/ can make it softer. It'll shock you,
Abbie till you get used to the idea.
It's about that banking fellow. He
we'll, he isn't what you have thought
him to be all along, dear; reckon"
David smiled-"he's more what I
thought him to be-"
Slowly David took a city paper from
his pocket and unfOlded 1t before the
girls widening eyes.
"a defaulter," read David, hiding
around in the country under an as
sumed name. Got him this morning
walking along the main road and took
him back to town Been keeping the
stealing up pretty clever for some time
back, the paper says"
/ Unconscious of the girls stricken
face David folded his paper, and put
it back into his pocket.
'And now, girl, DEAR" he said gently.
I've another kind of news that's bet
ter. You've been so busy lately you
haven't asked much what I've been