The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1883-12-15


gether in one cabin, they shared what
IEhey made, and they had been s'Eards''
for q very long time; in fact, long be-
fore they had arrived in Shantyville. It
had become bye-word in the camp,
las fast friends as Tom and Rhody.5i
ct the two, Rhody was elder, being
about forty, while Tom could
not claim more than twenty-five; but in
spite of the difference in age they
were thoroughly suited to each other.
Of the two, Tom was perhaps the more
enthusiastic, the more prone to take up
- thing strongly, while Rhody was apt
to talk somewhat cynically about Tom $
new schemes, When it came to doing,
however, there was not much to choose
Between them. Of course, Tom had
been foremost in the school-house
scheme. and equally as matter of
course, Rhody had laughed at it at first,
but supported it strongly afterward.
When Mss Mary arrived she had met
tue two men, and well, it will clear up
lnal1ers good deal, and enable me to
Gel lsis story better, if l say they both
fels ii love with her straightway. AS
sal8ht have been expected, they mani
tested their passion in very different
ways Tom called constantly upon
her went out walking or riding with
her and hung upon her words as
Enough, like those of the girl in the old
faiTy tale, they were pearls. Rhody,
when with the girl, became rather more
cynical than ever, and delighted in
max ing cauatic remarks about her say
7ape and doings. 1t was this perhaps
which bid his passion from Tom, for the
ls6seF never imagined for moment that
hls pafd cared anything about the girl.
IN fact Rhody's age, suddenly recol-
aeeled by tie younger man, made Tom
think him wholly out of the race. 1t
must not be supposed that Tom mag
lned his love as patent to every one in
the camp as have good naturally made
III to Y0u Nor was it. Despite the fact
that lovers, being something like os-
tflehes, think no one can see them if
their heads be covered, TOMS admira-
lion, although very open, had not pro-
coed to such lengths as to attract gem
efal notice. This was owing as much
70 Miss Mary's prudence, care, modesty
call it what YOU villas to anything
else. for she shrank instinctively from
publicity ID the matter. That she per-
soHall knew that Tom worshipped the
ei'eNnd she trod ON myself thoroughly
DellSHe Surely, she would have been
ho woman elsel
Ore evening Tom and Rhody were
sitting over their fire, smoking, after
supper There had been silence in the
room for some time, when Tom, stirring
Alieasilzs broke it.
Rh0dy, OIL manl' he said.
Hat air up, TomP' was the reply.
Hhar's somethin' THAT is, L
E|soeght you mout like to know-I
mean ct you're interested, that is"
In course, Tom, I'm interested.
What's upPn
kinder 'sposed you knew"
Knew whatp Anything the matter
tn tho assays, ladpo
8iah1e the assaysi MOI"
a.al, lad, don't take my head off.
upp Grease the slides an let it
and Rhody looked at Tom
niie
the fact air-that ar-I'm
Il lS7el''
In love, lada who with-the wild
Ger She'll make a good wife. Tom. /"
The WidderP No. Amt Their no
ether sides the wilder livin' at tn foot
q TIL hill p'l
Rhody started. and his face grew
dark
You don't mean the school-marm,
yepsa he asked, in strangely altered
voice.
khQay better n my life. Why, what s
tie matterPa he continued, glancing up
81 his partners face.
Rhody got mp from his seat and
sail<ed out Of the cabin without speak
ian As he passed swiftly down the
pAths taking by habit the turn toward
fke widow house, his breast was full
@ 0ffH letting feelings. A man of strong
pa ions, and one who was not apt to
lat others take from him that which he
I1e|l his first feeling was one of Bit
tF - ger hesinformation he had Just
yeSel Ned was b shock to him; he had
q FeI llpnght of anything of the kind.
a title Wonder that he should at
tixst determine that this thing should
not BE- he thought flashed across his
fl'l' that he could drive Tom from the
sl. E1,o next day if he discharged him,
baAl isses as superintendent, he had SUI
pHeIlle power. And with this idea came
4n4lhek hat If Mary was separated
from 4ni slie might forget him. I
thi0i Ing SELF be was wrong in this; still
BIZ believed II He exclaimed against
So iiiiusIipe pf this thing. He thought
nI lone Iness, Of Toms popularity
Witt 4I men. md bis own lack of it.
81 though his partner was tax
ing from him TIE only thing he cared
ial md he fought against Thought
sad bF SITTER feelings began to
And place Ie Necolleeted how close
Tom had beet 70 hfla how he had
lisIe hi iiiroEs the fever; and how
tleHF lad hNd grown during those
long ans. He Thought of his noble
ness his coHiRga, his truth and
klndnes The hours passed swiftly by
as he'd walked, taking little heed Of
this tii4e A bitter struggle was fought
9ut q g1t ID chat mans breast. but
Ia Che IN "a i q better Mafnre conquered,
he returned to Tie cabin exhausted
liaenlallN Hbd bodily, bit With his mind
made u When he Same in Tom was
asleep and he stood there watching
his face by The fiekerlng freight. In
his sleep ION murfnured two names,
& Rhodg and Mary. and his part