St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1895-06-08

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Kate Mayo, looking defiantly round.
Il mean to marry rich"
'.oh, Kate-' cried Helen Dewey, re-
proachfully.
Miss Mayo shook the golden locks
that hung like sunshine over her pretty
forehead, while a mischievous sparkle
came into the blue eyes; she rather
seemed to enjoy the CONSERVATION she
had created.
We'll, said Kate, Il mean it. Who
wants to be a drudge, in an ill-fitting
dress and last years style bonnet, just
because some idiotic young man asks
you to be his wife? My taste is for
lace and moire and bonnets that look
as if they had foated across the sea on
Partisan zephyr! Moreover, have a
fancy for brown stone houses and
coupes. and box at the opera and q
maid"
Kate Mayo spoke as if fate were at
her own command, as If she were
crowned queen of her destiny. And
she was, in SO far as wit and beauty
may constitute the scepter of ones own
existence. Tall and gracefully formed
as Greek statue, her loveliness took
you as it were by storm. She was fair
as the waxcn leaf of white rose, with
pure, straight features, checks just
tinted with the faint delicate pink that
comes and goes like fleeting shadow,
and a little ripe mouth that made one
think of the crimson sugar hearts that
little children delight in. And Kate
had been sent up from the old Mayo
farm to see what a winter in New York
would do for her, in the way of life
esta adjustment; and Kate had some very
decided ideas of her own upon the all
important subject.
MY DEAR said Aunt Dewey, sol
emnly, ''all this sounds very mer-
cenary."
Il can't help it, aunt" was Kate'sre-
joinder. II am mercenarv."
AT your age, kate?" "A
s.What difference does it make?"
said the beauty, with peculiar shrug
of her shoulders. I'm going in for
diamonds and a tour to Europe. SEN
timent is very well in novel, but in
real life it doesn't work"
And Aunt Dewey's face of horror
only made Kate laugh.
Miss Mayo was decidedly success"
In metropolitan society that winter.
1t was not entirely her faultless beauty,
nor her readiness of repartee, nor vet
the bewitching confidence with which
she seemed to take the worlds favor
for granted, but a mixture and ming
ling of all three-a something which
could hardly be expressed, save by the
word fascination" But notwithstand-
ing her triumphs, Kate Mayo had, as
vet, made no election in life.
"My dear" said Aunt Dewey, SOL
emnly, what was the reason you re-
fused Harry Pelham
THE reason? Why, he's custom
house clerk, as poor as can be"
Mr. Ryerson, then?"
I've no idea of coming to the poor
house before my timer
Mr. Ryerson is well of, I'm sure"
THE positive degree won't suit me,
aunt; must have the superlative-
You will die an old maid, Kate"
"Better an old maid than care-worn
old wife"
kate! Kate! there is sucn a thing
as going through the woods and pick
ing up a crooked stick. What do you
value yourself at, pray?
"A hundred thousand dollars, at
least, and from that up to half mil
lion.' laughed Kate, as she put the
last rose into the vase Of flowers she
was arranging.
"Where will you get such price as
that?''
Not here just now. to be sure, aunt,
but its representative will be here yet"
Whom do you mean?'
81 mean Mr.. Emmett"
Aunt Dewey sat down with uplifted
hands and eyes
What! the millionaire?'
Yes, aunt"
But he is in Europe"
"N'importe-he is coming home soon."
"You have never seen him.!
81 dare say never shall see him..
''Kate. you are crazy!
mo. I'm not, aunt: you yourself will
own it when you see Mrs. Emmett"
The audacity of the girl fairly be-
wildered her sage relative; it was as If
a little French grisette had aspired to
share the august throne of the Napo-
Icons!
well, never." gasped Mrs. Dewey.
..But that's no sign you never will,
aunt said Kate
But. Kate" suggested little Helen.
who had sat by demurely listening,
suppose you fall in love with some
body else?"
she fall in love?" said Kate, with a
mockinp laugh. Rest assured, Helen,
/ shall never commit any such absurd
piece Of folly as that Haven't told
You that / intend only to marry for
money? It may sound little conceit-
ed. bnt want a choice setting. Helen.
Won shall be my bridesmaid when
marry Lawrence Emmett"
Things were at this interesting juno
ture when one moonlight evening Miss
Mavo went up to the park to skate,
md came back under the convoy OF .
tall, handsome young man VINO hao
been introduced to her there
Ibid you say his name was st john
asked crvious Helen. when the cavalier
servente had gone. ''Oh, Kate, how
handsome he is!"
Nothing Of the kind" said Kate.
Aartly. ..orly rather pleasant looking"
sDat who hhs. Xstes'