St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1895-11-02
BY MUTUAL CONSENT.

BY MUTUAL CONSENT.
Mr.. and Mrs Messenger were simple,
unaffected people, devoted to their
children and to Nancy, Mr.. Messengers
young stepsister.
One sunny afternoon in early sum-
mer Mrs Messenger sat at the open
bay window of the drawing-room read
ing. The door opened presently and
Nancy came in rather slowly. She
came over to the window and seated
herself in low basket chair with an
air of constraint.
Il have letter from Jim," she said.
''Does he say when he is coming?"
"fes; he came by the same steam
ship as the letter. He will be here to-
morrow, 1 suppose"
"'Nancy! really?" asked Mary, look
ing almost excited. Are you not de-
lighted?"
'I-I-have a confession to make, I"
said Nancy, nervously, looking out
over the sea. II thought loved Jim
when he went ont to India five years
ago, but l was only seventeen then.
We had known each other all our lives,
and mistook our friendship for love.
Il have felt it dimly for year or
two. but what made it all clear to me
was Jim's last letter, saying that he
was coming home. 1t filed me with
dismay and fear. felt that I simply
could not meet him as his betrothed
wife, SO / wrote last mail and asked
him to release me from my engage.
ment."
''And what does he say?" Mary asked,
anxiously.
HE is dclighted.'' said Nancy,
Frightening. ''He says that his feel
ings have changed too"
'You never limited at any change be-
FORE" said Mary, little reproach-
fully.
II only knew it dimly or l might
have done so," replied Nancy, gently.
"And since wrote to him have been
silent to spare you any anxiety. My
letters have never been from the pres
ent Nancy, but from the Nancy as /
fact, have been writing down all the
time to the level of his intelligence ~
shown in his letters, and that level Is
painfully low."
"He would he much more likely to
object if he once saw you" said Mary,
frankly, ''for these five years have
done wonders with you in every way"
''Oh. he's SO boyish that he will think
me strong-minded, and therefore dis
like me- said Nancy. laughing. And
I did send him my last photograph. you
know"
ibid you send that hideous thing?"
asked Mary in surprise.
"Well," confessed Nancy, rather ~
luctantly, Il believe had some secret,
unconfessed hope that he would offer
to break off the engagement if b once
saw that hideous caricaturc."
A day or two later Nancy started for
her usual afternoon walk along the
cliffs Walking quickly along. she did
not hear footsteps behind her, and was
surprised at hearing herself suddenly
addressed Looking up with startled
eyes, she found a young man gazing At
her with q puzzled, intent expression
in his handsome face.
''You are Nancy, are you not?" he
said, doubtfullv, holding out his hand.
''Why, Jim, is it really you?" asked
Nancy, regarding, him with surprise.
''How you have grown! When did you
come? and how did you fnd me?"
II came two days ago." he said, red
dening slightly in irritation ut her first
words, but l called at the Ness this
afternoon and Mrs. Messenger told me
where l should find YOU"
Let us go home now. and then you
can see them ALL she said, turning
back. 'Hou will hardly know the
children; they were such mites when
you left"
Il certainly shall not, il they have
altered as much as you have done. l
scarcely knew you." he said, looking
down ut her with intent gray eyes.
and inwardly comparing this beauti-
full, graceful girl with the gauche
schoolgirl Of five years since.
Il am older" she said. her heart
sinking strangely. HE might disguise
the fact that he finds me q disappoint-
ing failure" she thought, rather bit
terly.
''Of course we are no longer boy and
girl" he said. but l hope we shall
always be friends. Nancy! We have
been that all our lives, haven't we?'
'sIes, let US be friends" she said
And, thinking that he was eager to i'm
press upon her that they were to be
nothing more, she added: And it was
very wise to break of that childish
engagement before you came home,
wasn't it??''
Yves" he said. doubtfully.
''Those boy and girl engagements never
answer, do they: People develop SO
differently from what one would ex-
pect. Judging from your letters, l
should have thought You utterly differ
ent from what find you."
.sYou are equally different from what
] should have expected you to be-" she
answered but let US put up with
each other as we are: we need not see
much of one another, You know"
They had just reached the gate lead
ihR into the garden of the Ness rs she
said this, and unconsciously she paused
outside.
:. Jim took this, coupled with her last
words. rs mint that he should go, and
was more hurt than he cared to own.
'.1ood afternoon" he said. stiday.
raising his hat. Your suggestion is a
brilliant one. and you need not fear
that / shall trouble you with my pres
ence more often than is necessary"
.1,ood-by.'' she said. turning in at
thr omen gate in order that he should
not see the rising tears.
.yaood-by," he said, freezingly. think
,rr her absolutely cruel in not shaking
II Mira Messenger had been given g