St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1892-12-31
pose that each Of Ms shah solemnly
promise the other never again to seek
her hand in marriage"

her hand in marriage"
"Your proposal suits me exactly"
They shook hands earnestly and
vowed again and again to be faithful
20 their pledge. They were as friendly
now as they had been hostile . short
time before.
Meanwhile Miss Meadows also cher.
ishcd anger. She resolved never to
forgive either of her admirers But at
the end of week her mood was some
what couciliatory. She reflected that
, the young men must by that time real
ize that they had made fools of them
selves and that she had done nothing
| of which she need be ashamed She
expected that they would soon seek her
presence in q sheepish manner and she
was prepared to show n gracious de-
meanor and to let bygoncs be bygoncs.
Eut weeks went by and they did not
call She met them several times and
they hurried by her and returned her
greetings with cold, formal bows only.
1t was now her turn to be very un.
happy, especially as il was revealed to
her that she did greatly care for one OF
her former admirers, viz, Mr.. Hutchin-
son. She knew now how to decide be-
tween the two. but alas. the opportun-
ity to make such decision might never
return.
Mr.. Hutchinson also became uneasy.
Hhfwas astonished to end how deep
his love for Lucy was and how futile
were his efforts to overcome it lie
bitterly regretted his pledge. but :s he
himself had been the first to propose
the compact, he could blame no one
but himself for making it and was un-
der the strongest kind of an obligation
to keepit
The painful situation was soon fur.
ther complicated by an act OF Miss
Meadows. She began to encourage .
middle-aged widowcr named Slawson.
who had long desired to<sshow her
marked attentions, but who had been
prevented from doing SO by her cold
demeauor toward him while his two
younger rivals were in favor. lie was
now filed with inexpressib!c delight
because of the winning smiles which
the charming maiden for the FIRST time
bestowed upon him, and he was SO
elated because Of his unexpected sue
cess that he did not stop to inquire why
she treated him with cordiality that
she had never before manifested. But
unlike the infatuated Mr.. Slawson.
Lucy was no: dominated by sentiment
alcne. She was as wise Is serpent,
while seeming to bc as harmless as .
dove. She hoped that her gracious
treatment Of the widower would render
Mr. Hutchinson Jealous and cause him
again to seek her society for the pur-
pose of preventing, If possible, third
admirer from winning her affections
The mancrver was sLiliful. bat il
only brought about part of what she
desired, and even of that part she was
ignorant. Mr.. Hutchinson was made
desperately jealous, but the agreement
with Walters. which, Of course, was
unknown to Lucy, prevented him from
eudeavoring to become rcconciled to
her.
Two months elapsed Seemingly
Hutchinson was determined to main
tain his Indifferent dcmeanor. Miss
Meadows was discouraged. She believed
that the young man did not recipro-
cate her love for him and she began to
think that the best thing she could do
would be to marry Mr.. Slawson. To
be sure, he was widower twenty
years older than herself, and had two
daughters, each of whom was not much
younger than she was. but he was also
wealthy and lived in q fine house.
Moreover, she rather liked him, and he
adored her. She might do worse than
to accept him as husband.
At this critical time Hutchinson. un-
able longer to simulate indifference,
resolved to tell Walters how he felt, al
though he feared that his former rival
might still love the girl as much as he
himself did. When the two young men
next met Hutchinson, growing red 10
the face, broached the subject that was
uppcrmost in his mind
II want to ask you." he said. in .
blunt and desperate way, whether you
are willing to release me from keeping
the compact by which each OF rs
agreed not again to seek to marry Miss
Meadows? 1 confess that / now love
her moro than I ever did. lsupposc
you may love her. too would like to
be free to court the girl again, and OF
course if l had that privilege, you. too.
would again hsye q right to show her
attention., Sprpyiacd you desired SO to
do. LeEthI bester man win, say. and
IL either Of M Is to win we must be
lively, 1 tell you, for the widower Is
making alarming progress in the inn
provcment Of his opportunities. unless
nm, vvnuch dnrc;vod
Walters laughed as the other spoke
and looked at him in q peculiar way.
81 release you from your promise.
Go ahead and may you have good
luck"
Hutchinson was much surprised.
'Can il he that you are no longer in
tcrested in Miss Mcadows?" he asked.
doubtfully.
Il am no longer interested"
''May ! ask the rcason?"
"Yes; contidcntially I will tell you
that I am now in love with another
girl"
II am SO glad hope she will
reciprocate your affection and that
you will be very happy" said Hutchin-
son, rs he fervcntly shook tho hand OF
his companion.
'Shc has already accepted me"
Good"
At two O'Clock in the afternoon OF
that day Mr.. Hutchiuson -tood before
Miss Meadows IN the psrlor OF her
home.
"Am I too lafe?~ he asked.