St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1895-11-09

Ill her own carelessneas: and tho next
time she indulged in the exchange of
literature she would shake the volume
to its foundations to exercise Ill lurk-
ing inps that might do her i'll. Ore 10
50 apt to tuck things away in book
and then forget all about them. Yet,
after all. he might have given her .
chance to explain.
She was aroused from her reverie
| ny the soft rush of waters parted BY
| the even stroke of strong arms Marie
turned her head shoreward; . man was
rapidly swimming toward her. The
head looked very familiar, but he had
written her he was going on the eight
| ten. A few more strokes and there
| was no doubt OF his identity; shs
turned her gaze again out to sea. He
clambered up on the rock beside her.
He was . superb creature, with limbs
bronze and aiming - one Of Gsrome's
ARABIA He looked like some radiant
| river god with dash Of wster on hio
| chestnut hair. his eyes - blue - the
| morning sea, and with that beauty in
his face that comes from conscious
| strength and kindliness and the glory
OF youth and vigorous, overnowing life.
''Good-morning, Marie"
She had not yet looked Ut him. but
she met his gaze now with . half smile.
II thought you wore going on the
eight ten" .
II started" he answered, ''csossed
| tho ferry, went to the station. and
came back. Why did you come out
here alone: You should have known
better. the tide is running ont now,
and the swim back will be hard pull
all the way"
Il am quite capable Of taking care
OF myself" she answered. somewhat
stitly. '.and IL you are sfrsid Of the
tide you would better 70 In At once"
He was astonished to And her adopt
Ing an injured tone; II anyone had .
right to b hurt, he surely was the one
to enjoy the privilege OF that position.
lie looked at her despairingly: the lit
tie curls, dried by the sun and wind.
beckoned maddingly. He forgot his
grievance for . moment
"When Venus came ashore on the
waves" he said. keeping his eyes on
the cnrls. ''Zephyrus blew her there,
and before he left her he lowered about
and kissed her until her hair, which
the sea had wet. was dry and shining
like silk: but It always kept the crinkls
the motion Of the waves had given 1t.
and al true daughters Of Venus have
inherited that ripple Of the waves ever
since. That is the story always think
Of" he finished, seeking now her clear
gray eyes. when see your hair In the
sun. Marie"
She laughed gayly. 1t seems to me
some one else is dipping into poetry
besides poor Jack"
His brow darkenei. Don't make .
joke OF It," he said; 1.-The blood has
been boiling In my veins ever since l
read il. don't blame Jack for loving
you, nor for writing 1t to you. l ought
not to have read It: but the thought Of
his having his arm about you, Is It
clearly implies. and that you have
cared for him, perhaps caro- for him
| still, has driven me almost beside my
SELF II you have any pity for me tell
me the truth. or let me 20"
You may Co." she spoke coidly; II
will not keep you.'
see: we are here" he said, under
the free sky. with the pure clear water,
all about us, close to honest nature.
land life would be 50 good to me ifs
there always to be an if:-if only
knew the truth and that it is not what
1 thought-that you do not care for
him."
Il am very fond indeed of Jack; and
as for the verses. l think they are
charming. and that any girl should be
happy to inspire . man like that"
Darrell groaned. "You are more
frivolous than believed, and you have
not been true to either Of us"
Il think will swim in." she said.
She clipped OF the rock and struck ont
for the shore. He followed her silent
ly, keeping his eyes upon her. for the
tide was making hard out to sea.
Don't trv and buck against the
tide he called; ''let It carry you
down. Just swim for tho shore; you
waste your strength that way" Ht
was swimming close beside her now.
If I needed It," she asked, would
you be strong enough to tow me in:"
He laughed grimly. Try me- hs
answered.
He took both her hands In his, swim
ming easily ON his back; to this healthy
young giant her added weight wa'
nothing. They went rushing through
the water 1T what seemed . terrific
rate of speed to the girl whose endur
ance had already been taxed by thu
swimming. and the sense Of security
and strength it gave her was deli
cious relief.
At last they reached the float; thu
little boy. were tearing up and dowI
the sand doing jumping ''stents' sh'
let 60 of his hands and he lifted he
easily to the float. She was quite pale
perhaps there had been some nervous
i, strain in her unusual exhaustion.
Don't you feel well?' he asked. y
he stood beside her, taking long. deel
| breaths after his exertiOn.
She pat out . small. wet hand t
him which he gladly took in his Owl
damp grasp. Il should never hsv'
gotten in alone" she said. catching he
breath q little, 80 caunot be horri,
, to you any more That book bolOnge'
to mv Cousin Mollie, but she does no
want to announce her engagement Z
. Jack till the fall. ll."-Demorest's Maga
. zine
MosQuitoes.
Willie Yardstick and Charley Bib
boncounter were proceeding from tn
station To the place where they had en-