St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1883-09-29

fui, lOf lie WOulu tiilk Vi Wnat He
intended TO do when he recovered.
One night, about twelve o'clock, |
was summoned to the poor fellows
room. He lay gasping for breath,
and his wife, beautiful even in grief,
sat holding his hands. The end
soon came, and I saw her bow her
magnificent head in despair.
He was buried, in compliance
with request shat he made, on the
mountain, where q little stream
flowed, aud where tree. covered
with wild, beautiful vines, shaded Il
grassy plot.
4 did not see Mrs. Delure, the
fair widow, for few days after the
funeral. Then she came to bid me
goodbye.
When the memory of your hus-
band affords melancholy pleasure,
instead of a deep grief, will you not
write to me-" l asked.
Il don't know" she replied. 81
feel rs though ! shall never again
be disposed to write, but ! thank
You tor the deep interest you have
taken In me, and hope some day to
meet you again
You are young, Mrs. Delrre,
AMI so am /. We may meet again.
| would Ike, though, to gain enc
promise; that, five years from now,
you viii write to me, if for no other
purpose than telling me that you
are well"
But | may not be well" she re-
piled. with faint smile that went
to ny heart.
Then promise to tell me wheth-
er you are sick OF WELL
why, II | ara living, I will be
either sick OF well, ana il I'm dead,
| cannot write, You know" and
again that FAINT smile, like soft
ened twilight, passed over her face
~ rlte to nle anyway
Il Will" she said, as she entered
the hack. Il will write just as soon
as [ can"
Il returned to Arkansaw AMI re-
sumei my practice, but business
cares did rot remove the image OF
that beautiful face. Day and night
my thoughts, sometimes anxious al
most beyond endurance, wandered
back to the watering place. Once
| dreamed Of that quiet, sad smile,
and awaking, L found that the first
beams OF Il rising moon were light
ing my chamber.
Two Years passed, and I heard
nothing from Ella, as [ had learned
10 think OF her. At last ] deter
mined 10 so again 10 the watering
place. One evening, after I had
been there Il few days, l was stroll
IN: OH the mountain, when l
CHANGED to stroll near Delure's
grave. Hearing voices, I approach
ed cautiously. l stood behind a
tree. The moon Game out, and l
saw Mrs. Delure and a man sitting
near the grave.
Il cannot marry you," she said.
"You have been very kind to me,
aud have greatly aided me in get
ting icy school. but I cannot marry
you"
DO you ever expect to marry
ngain?" be asked.
Il don't know. There is one
man whose memory l love. He was
with me when my husband died.
Ii | were to ever marry any one /
would marry him. | promised to
write to him, and [ have tried i,
dozen times. but each letter seemed
like IL love letter"
81 could stand no more, and ex-
claiming Ella 7 l rushed from my
hiding place and Caught her in my
arms. The man looked on for
moment and turned away.
"0ur arrangements were soon
completed. Our wedding was quiet
and simple. and immediately after
the ceremony we started for my
home in Arhansaw.
I'VE began housekeeping at once.
and [ know there was not n happier
man in town than I. One evening,
while Lila and I we're sitting in the
twilight, size said:
II never saw u man so little in
terested in any ones history as you
are You have been acquainted
with me a long time now, and haye
never asked me anything about my
formed sell"
your present SELF" I replied,
belongs to me; your former self did