The Bienville Democrat. [volume] (Arcadia, Bienville Parish, La.) 1912-1980, 1922-04-13
CHAPTER VII

He never saw her again. she sent |
him picture postal from Oconomo-
woe, Wisconsin, which his father dis.
engaged from the family mail, one
morning at breakfast, and cOnsiderate-
~ handed to him without audible COM
ment. Upon 1t was written, son. you
Ramsey" This was the last of Milla.
Just before school opened, in the
autumn, Sadie Clews made some reve-
lations. "Milla did like YOU" said
Sadie. "After that time You jumped
in the creek to save her she liked you
better than any boy in town, and |
guess if it wasn't for her counsin Milt
up in Chicago she would Of liked you
the best anywhere. ! guess she did,
anyway, because she hadn't seen him
for about a year then.
"Well, that afternoon she went
away l was over there and took in
everything that was goin' on, only she
made me promise on my word of honor
wouldn't even tell Albert. They
didn't get any wire from the uncle
about the touring car; 1t was her cou-
sin Milt that jumped on the train and
came down and liked it all up for
Milla to 20 on the trip, and every
thing. You see, Ramsey, she was
turned back a couple of times In school
before she came in our class and |
don't know how old she is and she
don't look old yet, but I'm pretty sure
she's at least eighteen, and she might
be over. | didn't think such a great
deal of this Milt's looks myself, but
he's anyway twenty-one years old, anC
got a good position, and all their fam
ily seem to think he's just fine! Il
wasn't his father that took In the tour
ing car on the debt, like she said sht
was writing you; it was Nilt himself
He started out in business when NJ
was only thirteen years old, and Thu
trip he was gettin' up for his fathe
and mother and Milla was the frs
vacation he ever took. Well, of cours
she wouldn't like my tellin' you, bu
| can't see the harm of it, now every
things all over
"All--all over? You mean Mi!la'
going to be--to be married?
"She already is" said Sadie. "The
cot married at her Aunt Jess and VI
Gle purv's house, up in Chicago, las
Thursday. Yes, sir; that quiet, lltt'
Milla's a regular old married woma
BY this time, | expect, Ramsey"
When he got over the shock, whit
was not until the next day, one pr
dominating feeling remained: 1t wi
a gloomy pride--a pride in his prove
s maturity. He was old enough, 1t a
peared, to have been the same thlf
as engaged to a person who was no
a Married Woman. His manner theme
forth showed an added trace OF sci
! business and self-consideration.
Having recovered his equipoise al
something more, he entirely forgot tn
moment of humble admiration ne HI
felt for Dora Yocum on the day of /
--LATEST prostration. When he saw h
sitting in the classroom, smiling brlgl
" up at the teacher, the morning
the schools opening in the autun
all his humility had long since VI
ished and she appeared to him 7
otherwise than as the scholar who
complete proficiency had always be
so irksome to him.
IL, "LoOk at her" he muttered to hi
"a self "Same ole Teachers Pet"
on Now and then, as the days and S
,ra sons passed, and Dora's serene pr
700 ress continued, never checked or eN
,re flawed, there stirred within him so
lingerings' of the old determinat
Nc. TO "show' her; and he would conf
ith up a day-dream Of Dora in loud
IA mentation, while he led the laugh
oh. Of the spectators. But gradually
pse feeling about her came to be mel
mr. a dull oppression. He was tired
,ck having to look at her Gas ne sta
zen it, and he thanked the Lord that
time wouldn't be so long now u
he'd be. out of that ole school.
then all he'd have to do he'd just t
care never to walk by her house
was easy enough to use some OF
street when he had to 60 down tG
\ "The good ole class of Ninet
Fourteen is about gone he sac
: ia Fred Mitchell, who was still his 7
enc intimate friend when they reached
tin, senior year. "Yes, sir; it's held
ard, gethcr a good many years Fred,
1871 after June it'll be busted plum
and | hope nobody starts nio'
have any reunions. There's a
many members Of the ole class
lone can stand and there's some c
fol but there's one ! just won't! y
the ever did call a reunion, that ole
light cum girl would start In rlsnt
hen and run the whole shebang, ana
where I'd resign! You know
sSA ! "a u