St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1888-09-15

i SAAooSO AlAC1sOs WAOU t1A0S kOuOACUA0
sauntered in. rs usual. for his evenin
cigar. Mr.. Clymer put up his eye
glasses-he was rather near-sighted-
and took q good look before hs On
swered:
"Very pretty" said he. Where di'
you get them?"
"They were a present"
"FrOm a young lady?"
"Yes. How did you know!" Mr.
Clymer smiled.
Il saw her making them"
"You saw her making them!"
"Yes. Is there any thing extraordi
nary in all that?''
mo. but you seem to know every
body"
Clymer smoked q pu6 or two and
then responded:
''Well. l do know . great many peo-
pie. It's part Of my profession. you
know. to become acquainted with the
world in general"
What did she say?"
''She has said . good many things
since first met her."
"Then you have known her long
timer" questioned Mr.. Elsley. begin
ming to feel q sensation which was not
exactly jealousy or annoyance, but q
cOmmingling Of both.
THAT depends upon what you call a
long time" retorted the clergyman:
Il have known her for about six
months"
''Six months! And never to tell
me?"
why should she tell you? Are you
her father confessor?"
NO." rather crustily; 'but I've
spoken Of you at least . dozen times. :"
Mr.. Clymer turned himself around
in the depths Of his Sleepy Hollow
chair.
Il should like to know" he said.
slowly and meditatively. where on
earth have you seen her? She lives
quiet and most secluded life and 10
ceives no visitors"
Il don't know what your ideas Of .
secluded life may be. )" said Mr.. Elsley.
But she goes to all the balls and
parties, has AT Homes on Thursday
afternoons, and drives in the park
every clear day. II there's any par
ticular seclusiOn - that mode Of life,
it's new to me-"
Rev. Mr.. Clymcr stared.
'.Esley. whom on earth are you
talking about?"
about Clara WEXFORD"
CLARA WrexfOrd! don't know
Clara Wrexford from the Queen Of
Sheba!'
Then what made you say you did:"
Are you crazy. Elsley? l never said
I knew Miss WEXFORD"
You said you saw her making the
texts"
MAN alive! I said I saw her mak-
ing them. but my her is not Miss
1t is . sweet girl who
herself and an invalid aunt
by Illuminating these texts"
Clara told me she herself made
them!' cried Elsley.
Then Clara misrepresented affairs
most egregiously. l know that they
were made by my friend. for saw
them both on her table. and she work
ing at the gliding and lettering when |
| was there yesterday morning to
carry little wine and jelly to the sick
aunt"
A curious revulsion of feeling passed
through Mr.. Elsley's mind. Clara,
then. had deceived him, deliberately
and of intent Clara had made false
pretences-the girl he believed 70 be
% faultless. And-but here Mr..
Clymer's voice broke in upon the dis
lgreeable thread Of musing.
''And thought, of course, when I
'aw the texts here that you had
ordered them of Stella"
lis that her name?"
"Yes-Stella Barringer. They were
sell-to do people once. believe, but
re sadly reduced; and l must say that
never saw such spirit and sweetness
nd courage in any woman before.
are you jumping up for in
hat insane fashion?'' II
Stella Barringer poor! Stella Bar
ingter toiling for bread and I not
now Of it!'' was the only reply -
:lsley felt blindly around for his hat
Tell me the address; I'll 60 to her 1t Z
nee" IL
"You! For whaHsn Ia
Don't stop to ask questions. Let i
,e 60 At once." 1t
Very well. I'll 60 with you and G
ho| you the way" said Clymer, re- '
lgnedly; though don't know exact {
7 where these illuminated texts . ara q
ding to lead" ru-.-.-
Stella Barringcr was busy as IN =
laoorate text. all gold and blue and lit T
e curly arehs,ques. when there can.sI q
imperative tapping 1t H. door. IA o
'tome IN" she said quietly. sup I
osfng. Of course that it was the book Y
'ller's man after the pile Of completed b
ork that lay ready to Be sent home. =
ut no. instead Of the pockmarked q,
apprentice. It was Love b
I'd Youth and the Past that came =
lightly across her vision.
''Ralphw The brush dropped from
" fingers. making . great scarlet
'ol on the very choicest eorner of ~ n
per. d,