St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1884-03-08

IA VIC 1ailiiiN- -No Chuiu Uit ilptleI
he used to say when little, as Tom an,
Archie naturally went together, and tn
two youngest paired of.
Something in Jim's distressed fac
made the BOYS urge him to come in
He did so. and took seat between then
on the sofa and begged that they woul,
continue the .'iIow of conversation
which his untimeiy presence had inter
rupted, adding that Archie looked a
though he was in love too.
"And so l am" bitterly said Archie
"Oh Lordr' shouted Jim, I'm ther
too" and frantically graspeG both O
his brothers in his arms
'.Jim," insisted Tom, mo nonsens
for once. Do let 60"
Nonsense! l am in dead earnest
Have been for three years, and Lor,
knows how / am going to break i
gently to mother" and the swea
streamed from Jim's face "Boys. let.
60 in body and storm the castle"
1.-The girls breaking with me ha.
saved me the trouble of breaking it t,
MOTHER bitterly replied Archie, "sh,
does not love me any m ore.''
go, yes she does, Arch: We'll max,
her." And now that Jim's secre
was confessed to some one he grew
so light-hearted that the boys sus
pected him of making game of them
But Jim was in earnest. and. as h,
told them, had been for three years
Ever since Nellie Brown. a pretty cir
of fiften, had come to live across the way
.Iims heart had been gone. At first h,
did not mind it much, but as he didn
get over it he began to wonder if sh,
cared for him, and just three week:
ago he ended his suspense, and now
q, if it wasn't for mother-Jim would
be too happy
'.Come, my beloved brethren, We
must bear it like men. We must meel
mother. But, Jim. for Heavens sake
don spring it on her tonight; sine
can't Lear any more" and Tom led the
way down 10 the parlor just as Frank,
who was growing more like his father
every day, was telling his mother how
much he liked Toms tiancee. He de.
clared he liked her well enough to
marry her hin self, and said she had
more sense than all the other girls put
together.
Il know it, my son. If Tom must
marry of course there is no objection to
her; but why couldn he waltz
Tom is too young" said giddy
Harry. The other boys We're bound to
encourage the baby's attempts at wit,
and after the laughter at Tom expense
had subsidized the chums went down the
street, leaving Jim with his mother.
Hewas restless, and roamed nervously
around the room. upsetting the piano
stool and punching the dog instead of
the fire. then desperately Pumping
himself down at his mothers feet he
began:
"Mother, what would you think Of a
woman who would refuse one of your
boys?" All! willy Jim knew that the
Jealous mother-love could not stand
that, and his mournful face and tragic
tone did the rest. He looked the g:ief
he felt for Archie, and Mother Beres-
ford expressed her opinion of the
insensible of the honor con-
ferred on her BY one of her boys in very
terms
Having gained his point, he kissed
his mother. and left her for a call on
Nellie Brown.
He speculated much as to who could
nave refused Archie, and resolved to
ret the story out of him before long
Il have done him a good turn. too,n
he, "but he won't thank
ne for it now. Never mind: he will in
ime when Miss What's her-name
,omes to terms.
Next week Toms engagement was
Mrs. Beresford bore it like
J martyr, according to the baby, an
eally seemed satisfied. For was it not
,etter to have him happy than sad as
'oor Jim, and she looked tenderly at
i'm, who was gazing at Nellie from a
istance, being obliged to keep up the
ole of discarded lover before his
lOther.
But he resolved to keep his eyes open
nd find out about Archie if possible.
nd he looked toward the dancers,
here Archies graceful form was to be
cen. "Well. he doesn't care a straw
bout the girl he's dancing with. Let
le look around bit. Wonder if that
worries Minnie Ross any9
rch used to like her. No. it isn't
[innie," and the keen blue eyes
,amed over the room.
"Ah. by jupiter. it's Stella Graham,
nd she does love him, to-"
Surely, Jim had grounds for the
Dinion. Near the door stood lovely
dy with face white as death and
res burning like stars. and they fol-
wed the graceful couple dancing with
gaze that to Jimmie seemed despair
~. s'Some Internal misunderstand-
g." he muttered, land both as proud
Lucifer."
He went straight to Stella Graham
nd before she had time to think had
ken her to the conservatory. Back
this room was a small one, where
ON did his courtlng, Jim said, and
lere he took her. He didn't know
lrely that she was the right one, but
e felt it, and without wa ting for more
e said:
"Miss Graham. last night 1 heard
lan's voice say, She does not love me
nv more. Tonight saw a woman's
zee say the same thing most bitterly. l
ont know what the trouble is, but |
now something is wrong. May 1 send
richie in here?"
She was sobbing. and before she
ould say no Jim had Archie there.
The beautiful dark eyes were full of
.ars, and the marble cheek told of suf-
ring, ard the voice was broken that
| d: Il am so sorry, and do love
ou." Neither ever told the story Of
leir quarrel.
In what Jim deemed . proper length
time he took Nellie and whispered to |
ON to bring Mother up to 1.-The Re-
eat.
Mrs. Beresford, all unsuspicious of
le trap laid for her by undutiful jim