St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1888-09-15
ILLUMINATED TEXTS.
A Poor Investment for Ono, But
Profitable to Another.

"Every thing is in such perfect taste,
said Mrs. Wrexford.
1t is a singular fact that things ar
apt to be lin perfect taste" in a bach
elOr's residence. so far as the eyes O
his unmarried lady friends are con
cerned; but then Mr.. Elsley's hous
was new and elegant. with marble YES
tibules, floors of inlaid wood. and fur
niture patterned after the most mOder,
and approved styles.
YES" said Mr.. Elsley, looking
complacently around his library. whel,
the dark oak cases full of Turkish
lesther and Russia bindings contrastet
cxquisitely with the green orlut carpet
the silken hangings and the violet and
amber tints of the stained glass Oriel
window; Il think myself it isn't 50
bad. All want now is apair Of nlu.
minated texts over the doorway
''Oh, let me make them for YOU, v
said Clara WrexfOrd, artlessly. Il am
SO fond of Illuminating texts. should
be delighted to have some little men,
ory of my insignificant self woven in
among those pretty things. May I?''
Il couldn't think of strOubline YOU. {"
said Mr.. Elsley; but at the same time
he noticed how pretty Clara's eyes
were lifted in the shy, appealing man.
ner. -4rr y.~s
liam sure Clara Would be charmed. y
said Mrs Wrarfo,d
III have them all ready by the end
OF the week. said Clara. .'Oh, shall
be SO proud"
And she clapped her little dimpled
hands like child.
Mr.. Elsley sat down and meditated in
the great velvet cushions of the easy
chair after his lady guests were gone.
He was bachelor. That was a
fOregone conclusion. But then again
that was no reason that he should al
ways remain bachelor. 1t was a
lonely. unsatisfactory sort of life. He
knew within himself that he had be-
come disguised with it long ago. He
had not married as q young NAN b.
caase some inAshgi6le, .hot -neA she
less impossible. barrier of pride and
offense had risen up between him and
the girl who was his first sweetheart
Old Mr.. Barringer had refused to allow
Stella to marry young man who op-
posed him directly in politics as we'll
as in sundry social matters. Stella
had declined to set herself in opposition
TO her grandfather's will.
wait, Ralph. wait" she had said,
with tears in her eyes. 1T will all |
come right"
mo. it will not all come right" said
Ralph Elsley. with all the impatience
OF a youthful and intolerant lover. 1T
comes 10 this, Stella: you have to |
choose between your grandfather and
me-
''Oh, Ralphr' .5.
1T is just as you choose. I do not
urge you one way or the other"
But grandpapa is so old and feeble"
I'm other words. you prefer him to
me- thought you loved me. Stella
Stella's only answer was a food of
fears-and Ralph Elsley left her in an
ger. The next week old Simeon Bar.
ringer sailed for Europe.
That was the end of it. Old Bar
'inger died-as he ought to have done
ong ago. Elsley uncharitably reflect
ID. No news came from Stella-of
,ourse she was married to some
Londoner; and Cupid folded
lis wings and laid aside his CULVER at
he threshold Of Ralph Elsley's heart
Love is over. SO far. ~ 1 am con-
erned." said he to himself. And he
eally thought SO.
But that was al in The past. No rea-
on now that he should not marry. 1t
7as the thing to do, he supposed. And
lara Wrexford was y nice girl
nOugh. Not like Stella to be sure;
ut where was there one in all the
'orld who could ever take Stella's
lace? Clara was true and gentle and
,nocent, and Clara loved him. That
hOuld be enough. IL
Well, the illuminated texts came, !