Vernon Parish Democrat. (Leesville, La.) 1917-193?, 1921-07-28
just a Business
Woman
b DoRoTHY WHITcoMB
10 1874, western Newspaper Union.

(G. 1921, Western Newspaper unionl
Seems to me you young folks don't |
think Of nothing but pleasure" said |
Mrs. Adams ENORMOUSLY, as she
watched her daughter Lizzie put on
her new hat.
Il won't be gone long," replied Liz
zie.
"Well, see that 81 Winton brings
you back safe," grumbled the elder
woman, watching her daughter envi-
ously as she passed through the door
and into the village street.
But Lizzie Adams was not thinking
of 81 Winton, whom her mother had
selected as her beau. ST was not un-
willing that he should be the subject
of parental appreciation, for the Ad-
ans family was the first in the coun-
ty, and it was a collateral branch, the
Winthrop Adamses, who owned the
big new cotton mill which drew thou
sands of young people from the noun
tain districts to work there. Lizzie
Adams, however, was of the poorer
branch. Her small wage was all that
sustained their family of two-and
before that they had lived in the ut
most penury.
Lizzie Adams was not going to the
village. Instead she made her way
toward the brand-new brick mansion
! of her cousin Herbert, who had come
from college the week before to take
charge of the mill upon the occasion
of his fathers sudden demise. They
had been sweethearts in the good old
days, before Winthrop Adams had
risen from a country store-keeper to
country magnate, by shrewd invest
ment. But doubtless Herbert had long
ago forgotten her. For she had not
seen him for four-five years, 1t must
be.
She was not hoping to meet Her
bert; she was just taking stroll, at
tired in her best hat and her one
/ wearable gown.
Those who seek, find. Lizzie met
Herbert driving smart trap, and by
his side sat young lady, dressed in
what seemed to Lizzie the height Of
fashion. And because there was hard
ly room to pass the trap stopped, and
Herbert recognized her and bowed
and smiled, and the trap disappeared
behind her.
''You haven't quarreled with ST Win
TONI" asked her mother, GROSSLY, when
Lizzie returned.
mo, / didn't meet him." answered
the girl. Two minutes later she was
sitting her sobs upon her bed in the
little room adjoining the inyalid's.
If Herbert had no thoughts for her
upon the street, how would he greet
her in the mill when, dressed in her
working clothes and covered with lint
she toiled at the maGhine2 She could
not bear to drag herself into the place
next morning. The girls stood there
heavy-eyed, sullen of face, dreaming of
Sunday and of their beauX.
Snow, then, don't stand dreaming
there" shouted Miss Jones, the fore
woman, to Lizzie. Don't you know
young Mr.. Adams is coming round to
inspect this place this morningY
It was toward noon when Herbert
Adams came in, escorted by the fore
man. Halfway down he came upon
Lizzie. He must have seen her. But
he did not even look at her.
At noon Lizzie crept away to spend
the half hours recess somewhere I'M
der the trees.
Suddenly shadow fell across hel
path and she found herself looking Ut
|; into the face Of bronzed young mar
; whose eyes were bent upon her with
unmistakable interest.
, Lizzie" exclaimed the, mill own
; er, II saw you leaving the grounds
: and followed you. How do you do
; I've often thought Of you since We
parted-let me see. years ago, i
? must be-"
l "You seemed to forget your polite
, ness this morning in the mill" the CIR
retorted, struggling to keep back hel
; tears.
; why" exclaimed the young MAI
; in establishment, really, was so EN-
(; barrassed-I thought it best"
, "Yes, you were embarrassed be
cause / wasn't dressed like your FRIEND
/: Yesterday" she blurted out, and coulC
I have bitten her tongue afterward.
. miss, Keith? Why she-why, Liz
q zie, dear, she's the agent for the cot
; ton company-just business woman
$ who is negotiating for the years out
) put You didn't think"
: Suddenly he caught her in his arms
"Iizzie." he whispered, with his fac
very close to hers, ibid you think
had forgotten? Don't you know m,
father sent me away to college be
cause cared? want you, Lizzie, jus
as always did; want a girl Of m,
own country and my own people, not
Miss Keith!''
Honest Printer Of Long Ago.
The first and only edition of Cava
oy,oatyfoaI DicoI1 Cci npS