St. Landry democrat., 1883-06-30

a stone pile, and had given them re.
ception which they could not stand.
! Tom went back and reported: ..Noth.
| ing in the field!" but it was mystery
which he could not explain, why the
dogs seemed so badly scared.
John when he reached home went
round by the barn, through the garden,
and into the house the back way.
Going up stairs quietly to his room,
he put on suit of clean clothes; then
going down as quietly as he came up,
he reached the barn by the roundabout
course he had taken when coming in.
Now from the barn he started ano
marched boldly up through the yard to-
wards the house.
| The family were at dinner. Walking
in he hung up his hat, pulled out his
| handkerchief, wiped his face and said:
In time yet, see.''
, "We're glad to see you back, John, !"
| said his mother; "but we'd like to know
where you've been.''
Yes, give an account of Yourself"
said his sister Julia. "We had about
concluded that you and Mary had gone
to Gretna Green, or some similar place. +"
"Well, I'll tell you," said John.
"You know told you few days ago
that some of the academy boys were on
an excursion to the city this morning,
and wished me to 90 with them. I did
not intend to, but thought would 90
over this morning and see them off.
"You know the train starts very early,
and | expected to be back in time for
breakfast; but when got on they held
to me, coaxing me to 60 with them, un-
til the train was going too rapidly for
me to get out and of course l was car
ried to town and had to wait there until
the return train, which, you know, does
not come out until near noon"
This explanation was satisfactory to
all expect John-it was lie which he
had been working up all the forenoon
for this occasion. He felt bad over it,
yet it seemed a fitting conclusion for the
blunders of the day-how else could he
conceal what for the world he would
not have any one but himself know?
That afternoon he was in ANYTHING but
a good humor. In the bayfield, he
worked by himself as much as possible.
He seemed to have special ill-feel-
ing towards his dogs; if one of them
came up to him, no matter how friendly, |
he was sure to get a rap over the back |
with the hay-fork that sent him away |
bowling. The relationship that existed
between Mary and the other John was
a question that now troubled him.
Yesterday he was of the opinion that
he could have her for the asking. and
now it seemed evident that she already
belonged to some one. The loss, or the
langeiipf losing her, made him realize
1ow much he loved her, and like
many another man, under like circum-
stances, he was willing to overlook de-
ects.
Domestic abilities!" said he. ssWhat
10 [ care about her domestic abilities?
will have Mary johnson if she
toesn,t know enough to bake loaf of
,read!"
That afternoon he made resolution.
Tomorrow evening" said he, 81
will go over and tell her frankly
low much love her, and ask her to be
nine''
The next evening John drove up to
ohnson's door. Mary came out to
rect him, and gave him her usual
ordial welcome. After talking
title while she said, somewhat mis-
hievously:
''By the way, John. you walked over
lst time, did you not?''
"No, replied he, not comprehend
lg; ..don't you remember, 1 rode old
harley?''
John could not muster courage to say
hat he desired until leaving time,
nd then, as they stood upon the
orch, he, with his arm about her
aist, told his love and asked her to be
is wife. s
John she said in reply, ..let me !!
III you story l
'.Once upon time there lived notfa
ON here a gentleman and lady. The 4
sntleman, who esteemed himself man u
great prudence, was in love with the a
dy, or at least his attentions led her to {
'lIeve SO.
"But before making a proposal he "
man OF prudence should-resolved N
satisfy himself in regard to her abil- Is
to conduct the affairs of household :,
It instead of trying to obtain O.
is information in an open, man. o.
way, he was foolish enough $;
try to obtain it in accordance 20
tn some foolish advice, the like of
lich you have seen, doubtless, in your it
hers newspaper th
YES, said John, his mind reverting til
the Champion Herald. X
well, one morning he arose very lee e
Fly, left his fathers house, crossed ~
,adow, came to a corn field" Johns IT,
n relaxed, ''then through barn yee
I'd, then came along by meadow ~
Ice. then went into some bushes near
ummer kitchen--'' la
Johns arm slid down by his side. IN
Don't Mary said he. 81 confess it SO
But how did you find it out?'' tn