St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1890-05-17
A SEVERE LESSON.


A SEVERE LESSON.
An Important Incident In the Live!
of Two Lovers.
Mrs. Howard shook her head sadly .
her more hopeful husband. and said:
Il am afraid you do not realize he
danger, John. Scarcely day passes
that Kate doesn't lose her temper and
make some hasty accusation in regart
TO somebody or say something to cause
a heartache: she is a perfect spitfirt
and has been ever since she was baby
and now she's a grown woman and
ought to know better. To he sure the
dear girl is sorry for an angry word the
moment after it is spoken, but
20, she'll get over it," exclaimed the
husband, impatiently shaking his paper
and composing himself to read, subtle
hint that he did not wish to be dis
turbed
Perhaps SO, when her hair is white
and her heart dcsolate," was the reply.
ing trouble? Kate will come out all
right and be better woman in the bar.
gain for having a little spunk. Who
would want her to be a little namhy-
pamby fool?" Mr.. Howard spoke with
some disgust. and again settled his COM
Portable looking form, resOlutely dis
couraging further conversation.
Three or four months later, two peo-
pie were sitting on the quaint oak bench
in the pretty modern-antique hall of the
Towards. An observer would have re-
quired no mind-reading abilities to sat-
isfy himself tlrat the occupants Of the
room we're lovers. The girl leaned
trustingly and affectionately against
the young mans shoulder, while he
turned the leaves of a volume of en-
cravings, casting between the pages,
tender glances into the bright piquant
face'of his betrothed.
''Ev the way, Kate" said the young
man. starting and turning his eyes
euizzicaily Ia. tao zpeS1nN> tod Are
Rutherford of our angagement the
other day, and what do you think he
said?"
Il couldn't guess. am sure; tell me" !"
the girl replied, curiously.
II will, presently, dear: but am 60
ing to ask you question first and will
you promise not to be Offended?"
lis that the question: queried Kate,
mischievously.
No: but seriously now, darling, do
you ever get angry without cause?"
The girls cheeks became redder and
her brown eyes sparkled ominously at
her lover. She opened her lips to speak,
but intuitivly fearing her answer, he
took her hand and holding it firmly,
FASTENED to add:
''You know it is no idle curiosity that
impels me to ask such an impertinent
question: but, although we have been
betrothed for four months, and ought
certainly TO know something of each
others disposition, l have never seen
you any thing but sweet and lovely, and
SO when Rutherford jnsinuated other
wise, felt justly indignant, and assured
him that he had made a great mistake"
well, he wasn't mistaken, Fred"
Kate dropped her chin pensively into
her hand and looked fixedly into the
cracking camel burning cheerily in
the open CRATE. Il am just a fury at
times. i lose my temper often and
without reason"-she drew her hand
away from her lover and arose-''but I
have never tried to conceal my fault
from you. never had a chance to be
provoked at you-you are always SO
good, and-and
The young man very properly Sprang
up and took the dropping. sOrrowful
little figure in his arms and completed
the unfinished sentence-''and con-
founded egotist. You are an angel and
the sweetest girl in the world"
Although Fred Bradley said q great
deal more, he held his lips SO close to
Rates pink ear and spoke SO softly that
you and l, reader, could not possibly
hear.
A week after Kate Howard sat in the
same hall waiting for Fred's coming.
They were to go that night with party
of friends in large sleigh for ride to
a neighboring suburb. The sleigh would
soon he at the door; already the horn Of
the festive hugler was heard down the
avenue. Fred had not yet arrived, and
Kate was furious. She knee he was
staying away just to try her patience!
She would go without him. The unrea-
sonable girl began putting on her wraps.
Mrs. Howard came into the room and
looked with surprise at her daughters
preparations
why, you won't go without Fred"
'fes. ] will: he's just stayed away to
provoke me, and I will show him have
a mind of my own.''
But. daughter. he may be detained"
Mamma, don't believe it. Anyway,
i will never be the downtrodden wife
you have always been. If Fred comes
poking around after awhile, you can tell
him i have gone OUT
She laughed Historically and flung
the door open in response to the vigor-
GUS ringing of the hell. Gay calls were
coming from the sleigh to hurry. and
Kate speedily stated matters.
One of the party ventured the opinion
that Fred would be met oa the way and
.'picked up" and all united in urging
Kate TO come anyway. I'D the girl, hes
itating. at last allowed herself TO be
placed in the sleigh, already ashamed