The Bienville Democrat. [volume] (Arcadia, Bienville Parish, La.) 1912-1980, 1921-02-24

IN not gong, sne salu pltterly.
mot going?" Miss Parkins frowned.
why. thought it was all settled"
That's what | thought. That's
what mother thought, when she was
dying But-he's gone back on his
word to her."
Miss Parkins led the way to the
rear of her office, lighted only by the
green-shaded lamp above her desk.
The sound Of their footsteps on the
bare floor echoed through the desert.
ed room. She'll put down a velvet
carpet. and pin tides on the chairs,
male Mapleton had sneered when
Miss Parkins took her fathers place
at the head of the Eagle. But male
Mapleton was wrong, as it very quick.
ly learned.
Miss Parkins pointed to q chair be.
side her desk
"Sit down, DEAR" she said.
The girl flung herself down.
"He told me today" she continued,
that same incongruous bitterness in
her voice. HE said he'd been to too
much expense-and that, anyhow, my
place was here at home"
las his servant" said Miss Parkins,
with sigh.
In mothers place, he said
THAT means as a servant" re-
marked Miss Parkins. more to herself
than 20 the girl.
II never cared so much about 60
ing away to college-while she lived,
the girl continued, But her whole
heart seemed set on it, never could
understand just why"
II could" said Miss Parkins, be-
meath her breath.
She fairly fought to get father tc
promise" The girls eyes widened
with the wonder of 1t. 1T was the
only time l ever knew her to oppose
him."
Poor Mary" Miss Parkins whis
pered.
"Yes-l didn't care so much about
it-then. But now that she's gone
the girls voice broke--"I want to 20
1t was her great wish. want to go
And he says--I can't"
Hot anger In her heart for once
Miss Parkins walked the floor Of hel
Office. She thought of Henry Brad
ford, with his boarded thousands, hi
oily sanctity, and her fingers itchet
to shake the meanness from him.
did you remind your father of hi
promise to her?' she asked.
YES. And he said he couldn't IN
derstand her strange notion-that sh'
must have been a little Eighty in be-
sickness--that he'd promised just t,
make 1t easier for her at the end"
| "Flighty!" Miss Parkins' tone wa
hot with scorn. She thought of he
last interview with Mary Bradford, o
how the defeated, crushed little WON
an had cried to her: He sha'n't max,
a slave Of my girl, too He sha'n't
Ann, he sha'nt!" Poor Mary. 1t hat
been her one fight, and, now that sh,
was where she could wage it no long
er. the day seemed lost.
| Il had to tell someone" The cir
was sobbing now. And ! though
mother would have wanted me to tel
you"
She threw her arms down on thu
desk, and her head upon them. He
slim shoulders shook. Mother" sh'
m0aned. "Oh. mother, mother!" Thu
capable, businesslike little woman
who edited the Eagle stood at he
side looking down at her; and sud
denly across that usually businesslike
capable face, q shadow passed. I
was a shadow Of the expression seel
on the faces Of those women .wh,
dream for their sisters, and grow i'm
patient that the day they dream Of II
80 long In coming.
| Reaching down, Miss parkins pat
ted one heaving shoulder.
THAT was right-to tell me. dear.
she said OK
The girl raised her head. Th,
agony Of her sobs died out. Some
thing she seemed to see In Miss Par
kins' face soothed her.
What are you going to do?" sh,
asked.
| This blind faith touched Miss Par
kins, even while It odismayeo her
What could she do. indeed? Her hear
ached for the daughter Of her oil
friend. but what part could she. 81
outsider. play In the struggle hel
friend had forever laid down?
"Oh. Ina dear" she said. Il dom
know what can do!"
She walked away from the girl, to
ward the corner where the two limo
type machines. Of which she was q
proud. doomed grim and shadowy IL
the half-light Strangely enough. 4
was not Of Mary Bradford or hel
daughter that Miss Parkins was think
ing now, but Of handsome, keen.eyet
boy Perhaps It was the moon thai
brought him back tonight. for It hat
shone that other August as It shont
now. They had stood together be
meath the trees in her fathers yard
she and this boy. and his arms were
about her. while on her lips she was
receiving the only kiss man had evel
vouchsafed her. A sharp pain burned
its way through her heart. She went
back to lna's side. 9
Poor little girl" she said. What
can do" b .G