St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1889-09-14

| ticipatlOn. Mrs. Searle was faulty
only in her pride Of birth and position.
her heart being kind and easy moved
TO pity. She ut once rang the bell.
ordered the carriage. and upon its be-
ing brought, entered it with the doc
tor and was driven to the farmhouse.
DIR. Forbes explained TO the helpless
girl what arrangements had been
made for her comfort, and he never
will forget the look OF horror her dark
eyes expressed at mention OF Mrs.
Searle's name. At first she refused
even to see her. but at length con-
scented. As the lady bent over her.
infinite pity in her still fine eyes, she
murmured. reproachfully:
If you had only come for me three
months ago."
where We're you them" asked the
doctor, quickly.
| ''ln a fools Paradise" she replied.
bitterly.
So the waif OF the wreck was taken
to the elegant home Of Mrs. Searle.
and DIR. Forbes was content. The
lonely woman lavished the most ten
der. compassionate care upon her. but
often inwardly wondered at the
strange look with which Eden re-
garded her
| Mrs. Searle had been widow for
several years. She had hut one child.
a son, whom she worshiped with an
idolatrous love. He well merited all
the love bestowed upon him, being
handsome. courteous. refined. but not
infallible. rs she fondly imagined.
He proved himself only human by
| one day falling in love with lovely
girl far beneath him in the social
| scale. His mother was Mortified, res
olutely refusing to even see her, and
saying all manner Of bitter. unreason-
able things. Kenneth was very pa
tent. for he loved his mother tender
ly. He spent an entire year in a vain
endevor to win her consent Then be-
ing twenty-five years old. and having
fortune of his own, inherited from
his father. he asserted his manhood,
aud went TO marry his love.
His mother wrote him one bitter,
unkind letter, to which she received
no reply. nor had she heard from him
since. She was very unhappy. and
welcomed Eden's coming as an agree
able diversion from her sad thoughts.
She called in physician after physi-
clan. sparing no expense. They talked
learnedly of shock, or paralysis OF
the spinal cord. but could suggest no
remedy. The girls faculties were
singularly acute. but her body re-
manned inert. lifeless- Every con-
venience and comfort was provided for
her-among other things wheeled
chair, in which she was pushed about
the lovely grounds surrounding the
mansion. She was seldom left alone,
a rosy checked attendant being always
at hand during Mrs. Searle's absence.
One day Eden's chair had been
pushed out upon the cool. wide veran-
dab. She looked like an angel i'm her
dainty white. lace-covercd robe. and
Mrs Searle could scarcely keep her
eyes off her. They had been there but
few minutes when a servant brought
Mrs Searle a telegram. As she glanced
up after reading it she met Eden's
gaze. full of a strange anxiety.
My son has been injured. and is
coming home" she explained.
'.Seriously?" The word came gasp
ingly. and the girls face rivaled her
snowy robe.
.'Oh, no. dear. DO not be frightened.
Only a broken arm"
A great sigh Of relief struggled
through the girls white lips.
You have tender heart" said the
elder lady. kissing her fOndly.
shall you send me away"
..Send my dear daughter away" in
a surprised tone. Indeed, l love you
too dearly ever to do that. What,
weeping?" and with tender touch she
wipe the tears from the beautiful face
Nothing shall ever make me love you
less. nor send you away. promise"
With another kiss she fastened away
to issue orders for Kenneth's comfort.
His arrival followed close upon the
telegram. and in the confusion Eden
was momentarily forgotten. Her chair
was close beside the main entrance.
and although her face was turned
away, he saw and recognized her.
Eden! My darling. My darling!"
he cried, taking a step toward her.
Then, ere hand could be out
stretched to save him. he fell insensi-
BILE at her feet
.,Oh, my God, Kenneth! Ken
neth!'
Mrs. Scarle heard tho daepa!!finx
wall as she >heES ID. also heard her sons
who are you?" she demanded
fierceIy. clutching one of the helpless
arms.
Il am his wife"
Stunned by the unexpected reply.
the miserable woman turned and fol-
lowed the men who bore Kenneth to
his room.
1t was only a faint from which he
soon recovered. But the bones OF his
broken arm had been displaced by his
fall. and a physician had to be sum-
moned to reset it. When il was over
and all had left the room save his
mother. he turned to her.
Mother. did see Eden. or did
dream it2'
lyon saw her." GROSSLY and shortly.
..Oh, thank God" Here. safe in your
care. Mother. | have worn my life