St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1895-01-19


IW ised to look
fEp J after you, and
see that everything was comfortable
for you"
"Your husband has been a perfect
angel, Beatrice! l don't know what
] should have done without him;
these people in Brittany are de-
lightfuliy picturesque and all that,
but somehow my French does not
seem to penetrate beneath their caps.
can hardly make them understand a
thing | want"
Mrs Merydith laughed.
Il don't think George has ever been
crclited with celestial qualities be-
fore: but now tell me. how do you like
this place?"
''Charming' Exquisite. and 80 ro-
mantic.'
What enthusiasm! I hardly ex-
pected such raptures, though to be sure
they are well-deserved." and Mrs.
Merydith glanced dappreciatively round
the long, low. oak-paneled room, with
its old-fashioned bahnt, its quaint pic
lures. and l.eavily-carved chairs.
''The whole adventure is so delight
full! Fancy Aunt Felicia leaving me a
sweet, little old-fashioned house in
Brittany all to myself, on conditio n
that lived in it for three months
every year. There is something so
charmingly unreasonable about it all!
Anyhow, here | am, ready to fulfill
everything to the letter. What love-
ly coincidence that you and your hus-
band should be settled here tool"
I'VE have spent several springs at
Marvaux. George likes the scenery,
than anywhere.
''Yes-it must be very nice to be
married to some one clever and
learned and all that; only il my hus-
band wrote novels and plays, should
always be afraid he'd put me in one Of
them! There's No fear Of that with
poor Leslie. however,"
'.Mr. Travers will join you here, of
course" asked Mrs. Merydith.
Leslie? Certainly not! My dear
Beatrice, everybody can't 60 in for
the ultra-matrimoniai like you and
George! My husband and l are the
best of friends; and we think the less
wear and tear we give our conjugal
bliss the longer it is likely to last; SO
while l am fulfilling the conditions of
my aunt's will and cultivating my
complexion at Marvaux. my lord and
master is devoting himself to rouge a
saoir at Monte Carlo"
Mrs Merydith knew her friend too
well to be astonished at this sonGe;;
from her earliest youth Stephanie had,
in virtue of pair of innocent blue
eyes and a quantity of rebellious
bright hair. been allowed a certain
irresponsibility Of speech and man.
ner. Few people-herself included
had ever dreamt of taking little Mrs.
Travers seriously. Perhaps mothers
with marriageable daughters, and
elderly wives with volatile husbands,
were the only ones who regarded her
otherwise than indulgently.
You'll have some tea, Beatrice?"
asked stephanie. as she moved to-
wards the old-fashioned bell-rope.
Tea? You don't mean to say You
have made them get you tea here?"
Certainly, my dear: imported the
teapot and the tea, and your good hus-
band made them realize the hot water
and the tray
You're marvel.' laughed Mrs
Merydith. as she pulled off her gloves
and drew one of the heavy oaken
chairs up to the small table which
stood by the couch on which her friend
had seated herself.
Not at all, only / understand the
art of living, my dear"
Meantime 4 neat tea-tray had made
its appearance, and Mrs. Travers cast
a triumphant glance at her companion.
Not bad after ten-days' stay, is
it?"
You've done wonders, Stephie! It's |
quite like being at home. Have you |
made friends with anyone here yet?" |
Il haven't spoken to soul but your |
husband and the old women in the |
market =
Il only hope you won't fnd the
place terribly dull"
Stephanie gave her pretty head .
toss
Il don't think So"
There are not many people here |
you would care about Tn afraid. 1 |
go out very little even among the few
English who are here"
sMy dear Beatrice, we all know that |
so long as you can cut your husbands |
quills and keep his ink-wells filed, you
are happy; if you hadn't been my
friend. Pm not sure I shouldn't |
have volunteered to take your place |
while you were IN England" Mrs.
laughed indulgently. 'Only,
Is ] say, I'm afraid of clever men.
Your husband always seems to be
trying to find one out, to dissect ones |
moral nature No, you needn't be
afraid, Beatrice. shall not 6irt with |
1eorge-"
"My poor stephie. I'm afraid you
won't find any body else to airt with"
"Oh. really"
There was world of meaning in
he two words, and Mrs. Mcrydith's |
eyes lighted with curiosity.
..What do you mean. Stephie?"
sNothing-except that the evenings |
sere are very warm, and that it is very
,leasant to sit in the twilight with the |
windows open
.What ON earth are yon talking |
Ibout?"
..s've made conquest. dear. "
..Nopsenssl ! mean how i y possS-