St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1889-11-02

III
Perhaps he knew her too we'll,
W. the reply. He did leave her Eve
hundred pounds though"
Wen. I think it very mean in Mr..
LoutherA especially as Miss Duval il
q relative II l were his old friend
would march up to the fair maid,
marry her and divide the spoils.'
while I was wondering whether OF
not I should explain myself. my aun,
broke in: My dear Isabel fear you
are inclined to be jealous. While in
that mood suppose you sing US The
WISH
/ Thus the subject was changed. bu.
l pOndered upon the question whether
or not to take Mademoiselle's advice,
providing Miss Duval would have me.
was not yet fifty. was only slightly
gray. perfectly healthy. and fond OF
young people. At least could make
the young lady comfortable for life
and save her from battling with the
world. Certainly Louthers ought to
have provided for her. no matter II
she were plain and disagreeable. but
he was a very odd fellow.
| ''ln the morning rode over my new
possessions The grounds were beau.
tiful and l thought might rs well in
| spect the house and call on Miss Duval.
/ '.When I had been announced she
advanced to meet me in an easy way
which pleased me. Her carriage was
graceful. and the face though plain
was redeemed by glorious eyes. Her
entire appearance was that of a sensi-
BILE. practical woman.
''She thanked me for allowing her to
occupy the house so long. and said
that she had tried to keep it in as per-
feet order since Mr.. Louthers' death
rs it was before. Iaccepted her prof
fered cup of tea, and as she poured It
out watched her with a critical eye.
The result was pleasing. f
Miss Jessie Duva was about six
and-twenty and rather delicate look
ing. 1t seemed positively cruel. or
rather downright robbery. to send hcr
out of this lovely house to struggle for
herself Beside. the merry air of the
house. the fr s1s4es, m the little
ev1deAceS - a WomanS presence. were
fascinating to wandcrer of fifteen
years. A
"As rode homeward the quite little
lady's psaeence remkacd in my minds
eye. and l found Qyself. thinking Of
last nights badinage. and a1king why
should mot tell Miss Jessie Ipt 1 re-
GREETED the will. thos:h my declining
to accept it would not benefit her,
and ask her to brighten mylfe.
I'm a few days I again returned to
Oak Hollow and rendered my love
to Miss Jessie I'M very business-like
manner.
she replied thstth suggestion was
very kind and honorable of me. that
she was not surprised at the will. as
in several points she Mad crossed Mr..
Louthery express -daaireA- -Linvited
her to think seriously of my proposal.
and in two weeksA0seW0 ne her an
swer. Bear in m ind. said. that by
inheritance and right the proberty
should be yours and not mine She
agreed. though rather Reluctantly
thought. and on the day appointed l
received the following note:
have concluded that in cemcnting such a
bargain give quite IS much as take. nc.
cept. Can not We be married soon and save
needless pref minaries!
MY aunt thought the note sensible.
and did not seem much surprised at its
contents We went together to call
on my fiancee. Upon that occasion
Miss Duval requested me not to- give
her an engagement ring. but suffered
me to slip on her hand q cat's-eye that
came from India
''She seemed overcome with embar-
rassment and her reply was too low
for usto hear.
1.-The following Wednesday was set
for the wedding. My aurt was quite
silent during our return drive; but
said nothing, thinking that if the rest
OF my life were not all sunshine could
feel l had done my duty.
'.Aunt drove over for Jessie on that
day, and though her dress was black
silk there was a good deal of white
about her throat. She also wore a |
large bunch of roses which l had pre-
sented to her. The solemn words were |
spoken. and SO forcibly did they bring
back my first bride in her youthful
beauty that could barely make the
proper responses, and did not notice
that Jessie's' flower had fallen OF until |
after the ceremony.
I'VE three and the clergyman dined
together. and about ten o'clock we Lett
for our own. home. as neither Of us |
cared for a trip and the desire ielt BY
me to get TO my. destination seemed to
be shared hE4ss>iD. .-->Sa.s
'.When the doors were thrown open |
| kissed my wife for the first time.
and babe her enter into her own again.
giving her the tif1Gu9eeds of the estate !
She avoided my giance. and went inn.
Il. her own room. =.
I'm q few moments her maid brought |
me q note which read as follows:
"'You are averse to any more scan
dal and gossip. l fancy. SO you will not
attempt to see ma will be with you
1t breakfast II you will do as l ask
no one need never know that we are
not living together.
81 am q married woman. My hus-
hand has h<,en serving a term of L