St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1895-02-09

she had saved q life aDd lost her
beauty. The burns were not severe.
but one side Of her lovely face was
drawn out Of shape. Mrs. HaAeton's
in juries were serious but not mortal,
and Guy was not summoned home.
May had arrived, with its bAlmy air
and fresh foliage. and Mrs HAzleton
was able to sit up the greater part of
the day. She knew well that much
OF her rapid recovery was due to
Irene's careful nursing. Now Guy was
coming, and the tender nurse would
have her reward. The noon train
would bring her SON home.
Now. Irene, dress yourself. See, it
Is almost eleven o'clock, and Guy will
be here by twelve. Put on your white
collar and cuffs. dear. to relieve this
heavy black. You will not wear it
much longer
Irene made no reply. She knelt
do wn beside her friend and embraced
her lovingly and then left her.
| At length the welcome sound Of car
riage wheels greeted the mothers ear.
and . moment later she was clasped
in her sons arms Even then his eyes
wandered around the room
Irene, mother"
| ''She went to change her dress. You
| will not .et her see. Guy. that you feel
any alteration in her face 1t Yves to
save your mothers life that she gave
her own beauty"
"A note for yoa, sir was to hand
it to you rs soon rs you arrived" said
| 4 servant.
From Irene" said he, wonderingly
rs he tore it open. Mother: Res i
| that"
DEAR GUT" tho note said. you are conn ing
now to take my place. and can 1save our
mother to your care. Tho Irene you. love- is
gone: only . hideous mask. Ny po Serty your
| heart overlooked. but your mother said y me.
| on that happy day when Iknew you love< me:
Guy could never have married an ugh girl
He worshfps beauty May some h:Upta- love
replace that OF iREG"
The servants were summt mod and
could only say that Miss Curtis drove
away in q hired hack. !
Mrs Haaleton thought at or sce Of the
uncle's letter. but she had taken no
note of the address. but remembered
the name-Hngh Conway.
ut is some comfort to know there is
. home open to her." he said. sadly.
but she is mine. have beep q fool
ish fop. with my absurd talk about my
sensitive nature recoilinx frm per-
sonal deformity. will find her, !
must"
One year passed. and in the little
town of Deepdale, and th. country
seat OF Col White, : gay party had as
sembled to pass the sumBler. Clara
White. q sparkling brunette, was the
acknowledged belle of the gay circle:
aud rumor coupled her name with
that OF Guy Hazleton, one of her
fathers gcesta
Those who knew Guy Hsxleton be-
fore Irene Curtis fed from his moth.
er's house would scarcely recognize
him now. He had become an earnest,
thinking man, something Of. . sli-
tician. aud had resumed the study Of
law. meaning to adopt it as a profess
sion. 1t was not an easy matter to
coax him from his mother and his
Office to visit at Deepdale. but he had
consented to spend month there. and
the gossips had decided Clara's black
eyes to be the magnets that drew him
from his scceusion.
..Will you xide to the village with
me-" said Clara. as she rose from
breakfast one morning. II have to
buy some trifies. and want an escort,
II am 1t your service" said Ggy,
readily. This is my holiday. By&
want to send dispatch. if you wiv 20
to the Office with me-
The shopping over. the dispatch
came next In order. aud the young
people entered the little office where
the wires connected .DeepdaIc and the
metropolis
How soon can ] have an answer
from New York?' asked Guy, as he
handed slip of paper to the lady who
answered his tap 1t the o1hs;e window.
Clara shuddered IA she saw the face
of the operator. and even Guys heart |
thrilled 1t the painful spectacle.
I'm about an hour" vvas the answer.
Can we wait here?"
Certainly" Ns
The window was clo sed, and Guy, |
placing . chair for Clara. resigned him
self to IN hour of waiting.
In the little Office the telegraph op-
orator sat down. faint and white,
looking at the dispatch. which was
directed to Mrs. Hazleton, and wordcd
thus:
Went to Auburn yesterday. Hugh Conway
is dead. No trace OF - Have you any
news: Answer. GUY"
Auburn! The village where she had
sought and found = home with her
uncle, learned his business and left
upon his death. How had Guy traced
her there, and why had he done 30?
The message was sent and silence
reigned in the little Office.
From tn. outer room came murmur
Of voices, and Irene heard Clars say:
Il have had no chance to speak to
you since yoa- came from Auburn,
Cousin Guy. No success"
None! and whole year has passed
since Irene fed from me-
"And you love her in spite OF that
Does it not make her . thousand
times dearero"
II wonder if Charley would love me
as well il were to be dis6gured," said
Clara
IF he wonld not his love is not true.
Did love only Irene. beauty my love
would now be dead. But were she
hideous beyond description my heart
will be hers till death stills its throb-
bing." 4
While he yet spoke = gentle hand
was placed upon his shoulder and he
looked up. A tau. black clad ffrure
stood beside him; pale, agitated
face looked into his
Has my answer come already?a he
asked. e4
A gentle voice answered:
You see how foarfully am altered,
since you do not even recognise me.
Guy"
In m instant his ar,re