The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-10-17

turvy," he reflected. "What with
spring cleanin's all the year round and
the drivin', Bertha has bad terrible
hard time. And thy do say in the
village. Well, well" he muttered,
checking himself, sit wasn't to be ex-
pected with her pretty face that Jim's
her frst sweetheart. And il Will Car
Ter deceived her, mebbe she'll think
the more of him. Jim just dotes on
her. More fule he! Bad wives are of
no account whatever, and supposin'
you do hap on good woman, and it
pleases the Lord to take her, the years
won't ill the emptiness in you she
leaves behind. I ought to knaw," and
Isaac heaved q mighty sigh. "Pve
buried wives of both sorts-three Of
'em."
Not o breeze stirred the lifeless
calm, and the midday sun poured
fercely down. Presently he sought
the shade CT spreading tree which
overhung the wall few PAGES from
him. But he was no longer solitary.
Voices fell on his ear. Bertha Ire
CONS and that of the man who report
said had Tilted her.
'sMy poor Bertha! You've no cause
TO fear me. ! knaw exactly how it
was you forsook me for James Hocken.
But .wrote wheniver ! had the
chance"
.'Not.a single letter reached me-"
! because your mother waylaid the
postman."
Despite the heat Isaac shivered.
Wills insight was making clear much
that had puzzed him.
ssPerhaps. What matters now?"
asked Bertha, in forlorn tones. "You
should have kept away. 1t would have
been kin Ter.
ssAnd let You continue to think ]
was false? Lookee here, Bertha, you
promised to be my wife before even
Hooken courted you. And now you
knaw I've been faithful to you"
sI durstn't break with Jim. Mother
is set on him. Oh, why did you come
You'll get fresh sweetheart, but jim
won't. And / shall keep my promise
TO him."
Bat Eertha's love was unchanged
and to the breathless listener on the
other side of the wall, Wills tender
pleadings were the knell OF his sons
hopes.
What girl who loved him could re-
sist handsome Will Carter?
Gauns and grizzled, with weather
beaten, strongly marked features, he
he had always known that Jim WASH |
one that a girl would fancy. And
Bertha had only accepted him at hel
mothers bidding, believing that Will
Was untrue to her. 1t was all SO plain
20 him now. Poor Jim even flower
that Bertha had plucked was precious
10 him. Hadn't he found o rose
vhithersd and dead in his pocket!
And all his love in vain ! Isaac whipped
ont his handkerchief, and mopped his
his face. Yet, if Will hadn't re-
turned :,
But contrary to his expectation, the
rirl was firm in her resolve.
81 won't listen to you, she said 81
last. aroused by Wills upbraidings.
ssJim isn't to blanche knew nothing
Of our sweethearting-nor am !. II
didn't enter my mind that mother
might We got your letters. How
ahouId it? As it you alone suffered ].
aha faltered. 'sLet US part friends.
ss5weethearts or nothing, sac
Will grufay.
With o swish, swish OF feet through
the long grass, crawling to his knees
old Isaac peered cautiously over tn
Wall. Bertha was running toward tn.
house, and Will Carter, with his heat
thrown back, striding in an opposite
direction.
"BIess the little maidI" he elscuiat
id cone time was sfeared for jim
But he's got o good grip O. things
Yes. plenty more sweethearts to-
viii. he cbuckled, observant Of tn
nose OF his head. sAnd there's bu'
one IL the world for my lad-bessh!
Treqou. May my tongue % sis u
Risinr, Issae shonldsrsd biz bake
.ad proceeded on his round