St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1886-05-22
for me will just cover it. Will you do

1
doubled. You can pay this bill and
retain the same amount"
81 can? How nice! I thought
would have to go out as nurse-maid oil
something. Mr.. Barker, when i.
your client coming, who owns the
house2 l feel as if l were an intruder,
somehow"
"You are not. The favor is to him.
have his word for it,
She still fingered. s.Mr. Barker, YOU
have been SO kind and good. l wish l
could do something for you. If l can
ever, will YOU let me?"
''Yes, Miss Ford
Ellie left the office with queer dis
satisfied feeling at her heart. Down
the browsing street, filled with lazy
shadows, she strolled. As she turned
a corner she collided with rakish-
looking youth. He recovered himself
with an apology. There was such a
frank look in his bright, blue eyes,
that Ellie took to him at once. He ac-
companied her as far as the gate.
opened it, and, with bow, turned
toward the open plaza. .What a very.
very nice, accommodating boy" was
Et1ie's mental comment.
She met the "very nice boy fire.
quently after this. He was eighteen,
and quite idle. He obtained conven-
tional introduction-Bert Gwynne was
his name-and he constituted himself
Eiiiic' veritable double On the street.
at church, Mr.. Bert Gwynne was al
WAYS present, and he assumed the atti-
tude with such an of-course-it-is-agree-
able-to-you air, that Effie became in
censed. and determined to give him
piece of her mind.
One day he commenced to poke fun
at ''old Gabe Barker" Then the
dynamite exploded.
Hes not DID," she flashed.
Forty if he s an hour" insisted the
provoking.
Il say he is not declared the frank
little lady. ANY how he's not a pre-
suming boy" great acrimony in the last
words.
Hell make you marry him after
while; now you see. He bought up ev-
cry one of those notes, cried the badly
conducted.
What notes? Tell me-" Ellie was
aflame.
Your fathers. Who do YOU sup
pose paid the debts? Why. Gabe Bark
er, out of his own pocket. This very
house is his" continued he.
''1ou are a wicked person, and don't
believe one word you say burst out
Effie.
1T isn't such a mighty thing after
all. I'd do ever SO much more, Effie.
if you'd let me. But YOU called me
presuming. and it made me angry"
80 you are. hate you. and I'm
going this minute to Mr.. Barker" She
flung on her hat
81 wouldn't. Let it alone. He's
well able to do it if he wishes. Bert
thought he had never seen Effie so de-
sirable, as with that angry pout and
the infinite air of scorn with which she
regarded him.
'.Mr Barker, is it so? Tell me. II
will know" with tear r-iushed face she
raided in on him. They say that papa
died-insolvent, anl-and you bought
up his no-otes, and-tell mel" she inn |
plored passionately.
''Etfie, don't! you will be ill. Who |
told you such cruel things?" He shut
fled his papers in agitation.
Bert Gwynne. He says it is the talk |
of the place, and-''
Heavens! What has she almost said: |
Hell make you marry him after a
while" He marry her! such an insig-
niticant nobody.
''Effie. listen; am not going to deny
what have done"
Then you did! ohr' She went
down by the stiff old clients chair in
a heap, and hid her face i'm her hands.
''Child. what could do9 The cred
itors threatened. There was nothing
to pay them, and you looked so little
and helpless. Besides. it is only dis
charging an old obligation. Your
father was very kind to me when was
a poor lad. Ellie. don't be angry
(SOb. sob from the rounds of the
chair.
."Is the house yours too?'
"By heavens. Effie. if you ask me any
hing more I'll deny every thing" des-
is it. I say'' tempestuously.
Yes"
Gabrielle Barker was as abashed as if
ne had been confronted with selling il
egal whisky.
do YOU hold those notes?''
C'Confound that meddlesome Gwynne
,oy; I'll thrash him to morrow, if I
ive). Yes. Effie, but they are yours.
have left them to you in my will.
Here they are" laying bundle in her
ap.
Take them away. l will not have
hem.' she said excitedly. "Unless-
lr. Barker-you tell me how-I-can-l;
,ay-you." II
.'Will you. if tell you, Effie?" |:
He opened his arms. and she crept
lose to his heart. whispering: /
''Yes. Gabriel |,
..How could you afford it? Didn't it
,ake quantities of money!"
"You remember an uncle who died
n California a year ago? He left me a
hundred thousand dollars. l have
aved twenty-five thousand and the |
louse; so You won't be quite destitute, :
Il
destitute? Sheba's queen was not /,
S wealthy. She didn't own my Ga
riel.'
They were married in the morning.
hat evening, as they sat together in
he library (for they took no wedding
ourney), he leaned toward his white 1
obed treasure.
..Effie. will you burn those notes for {
ne?" It