St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1891-02-21

crowd. There, underneath oGs OF thu
miiiion-nngered pines. she bcLela ths
man who had solicited the favor q b.
Ing her escort assiduously paying his
deoo'rs to gazelle-eyed brunette in Z
costume OF crimson and gold Yes. she
might havc known he would bring
Squire Rogers daughter. He would be
sure to DO entangled in the meshes oi
the web she was weaving 70 insnare
him. and propose, for her father was q
mcneyed man. and Well. Madame
Kumor did assert that he cared . very
great deal for money. Tho girl was un-
questionably lovely, and No matter;
she would show Ross Wilde that his At
tentions were disagrceable to her. So
she forgot her mothers warning and
dirted outrageously with Bob Lester,
and numerically snubbed the poor law
yer when hc addressed her. and felt
wretched all the while.
1t was lato in the afternoon, when,
longing to be alone, she broke away
from tho groups scattered here and there
under the funereal pine-plumcs, and
found . secluded spot on the bank Of .
| rivulet that wound its way noisily
through . chasm Of Jagged. sharp.
toothcd rocks. and sat down on . mos.
covered bowlder to rest
TIE play Of the cool water. the sigh:
ing OF the wind among the jungles Of
tall brakes. soothed her. She partially
closed her eyes. whom
She started 70 her feet a startled cx.
clamation dropping from her lips She
had just discovered that tho ruby velvet
pocket that had swayed from her belt q
short time before was missing. Where
had she lost it? And, oh, what II it had
fallen into some ones hands. especially
Bob Lester's or Ross Wilde's?
She remembered that her little blue
and-gold diary reposed in its depths.
and she had been foolish enough to iot
down some thoughts concerning the
rivals. never believing it would fall
into the possession Of either.
What II Bob or Ross had picked it up
and No. no; both of the gentlemen
were honorable. aid would not try 70
pry into another's affairs. Still. reason
a. she would. she did not feel quite
easy about Mr.. Lester. He might not
but
A heavy f0otstep crunching the pine
cones that Uttered the ground fell upon
her ear. and raising her cyes she en-
countered the malignant glance Of Bob
Lester. What had brought that angry
frown to his face7 Had he found the
pocket extracted from its depths the
diary, which she had not been wise
enough to rcmove, and CLEANED the
truth OF her feelings for him?
He had. indeed. Some pervcrse fate
had led him to the spot where It lay
cleaning in its brown bed like some
brilliantly tinted bird OF paradise. He
recognized 1t at once. and. STOPPING
down, he picked it up with the inten-
ton Of restoring it to its owner. when
from its mouth the tiny blue-and-gold
book slipped out
"Lucy's diary, by Jove!' no ejacu-
lated. IN see what she mas jotted
therein"
With no compunction whatever he
opened it. admired tho Italian, spidery-
like caligraphy, and then read the items
it contained.
His brow grew dark as . thunder.
cloud; furious feelings ragged and
secthed within him. He know that she
dcspised him and loved his rival lie
fclt like rending the tell-talo pages in
pieces. but he controlled himself and
thrusting the diary back in its reccpta-
Gle tho pocket he had recently thought
SO pretty-he hurled It into the nest Of
undorbrush from which he had taken IL.
LET the accursed thing lie there"
he hissed; ''rll confront my lady and
accuse her Of her treachery."
Lucy's face blanched whits a. death
as Bob Lester. like some raging demon,
halted in her path.
Grow white. faint II yoa can, you
treacherous creaturor' he hissed, with
all the venom of . serpent Il have
found you out You hirted with me, led
me on. and confidcd to your diary that |
IL were the last man on the face OF the |
earth, you would not marry me. More.
you vowed you loved Ross Wilde. |
creature. scorn y0u! Ihate
you: I've half mind to toss you down
among those sharp toothed rocks! You
deserve such fate. No You need not |
shrink from me: I'll not lay hands on
you. but l shall try to turn tbs heart Of
my rival against you"
He was gone. and Lucy sask shiver.
Ing to the earth.
"Why did ever flirt with him9" she
vailed ut WAS heartless. know, but
never meant him any hahn. viii
never ccquette again with anx man"
She covered her face with her hands
md wept bitterly.
"Miss Sherwood
At the sound OF familiar voice she
'aised her tear-wet face. This time
Ross Wilde stood before her. and in his
hand she saw the ruby pocket She
oegan TO hate it
He extended 1t toward her.
''Your property. I believe? fouad
{ probably where you lost it."
She took It and drawing forth the
liary, said:
And was there Paul Pry enough
bout you to mako yourself master Of
he contents Of this journal?"
He regarded her haughtily.
''You are unjust, Miss Sherwood; I
IN IN honorable man. But" lowering
lis voice. ''let me congratulate you.
net Mr.. Lester. who informed mo
hat you had just consented to be his
rife. wish you all possible happi-
lesA trust he will be as kind to you
3 should have been had you given me
he right Oh. Lucy, you know mr. %.
ret Think Of mo - kindly - you
an" #fE
L
He started 70 leave. but Lecy called
io back.