St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1898-11-26

at that moment, but thought of Jack
and hardened my heart.
"Allow me to present you to him." I
had advanced half dozen steps to
meet him.
II want to introduce you to Mrs.
Vivian," / said. You know all about
my love affair."
(which one?" he asked.
The one" / said. He thought care
fully for minute.
do you mean Jack?" be asked.
"Of course ] do"
'Well?"
Mrs. Vivian is Jacks mother"
glanced across the lawn and saw
Jack herself, alone, shining white
against some dark laurels. My mind
was instantly made up.
"Weli?" he said, again.
Il want you 10 talk to her for ten
minutes. And, like dear old chap,
say all the nice things you can about
me. will you?"
"You want me to bamboozle her, do
you?"
Il want to marry jack" said.
'All my friends are marrying" St.
Alieyne murmured; they'll soon be
all gone. I'm always doing them good
turns, and they never do anything
for me-"
IN do anything you like for you if
you'll only manage this" 1 SAID. A
l turned he caught me by the arm.
Look here" he said, what am TO
Ialk about-rising artist, increasing
popularity and all that kind of
thing?"
Il leave ii to you. But for heavens
sake don't give me away" He smiled
Ienderly.
saw that Mrs. Vivian'sface famed
as presented him. l had never seen
her blush before; but at the same time
there was kind of feeble triumph in
her expression that made me sick. st.
.Alleyne dropped languidly at her side
and sped across the lawn. Mrs. Wv
ian was at liberty to look as much as
she liked; could trust my friend to
hold her.
Jack saw me coming and turned
away towards the rose garden; 1
blessed both her and her acuteness as
| followed. She paused when we
seemed fairly alone.
where have you been all the after,
noon?"
Talking to Mrs. Vivian"
"Oh!" she said, was it Interestingly
Very. And you?"
i've been waiting for you.'
"Well, I'm here now. Jack!"
"Yes," she said.
you want to marry me, don't you
Jack?"
"You silly boy" she said. took her
hand and held it SO that no one could
see.
you know you do, said; you told
me SO oEce."
'Did n" she asked, closing her fin
gers tightly over mine.
Yes; and I'm going to marry YOU"
You dear boy!" she said. But how
can you? Mamma will never consent"
I thought detected hint of tears in
her eyes.
but if I gain her consent, and this
very afternoon?"
She looked at me with all her youth
on fire. / leaned towards her sudden
~ and she kissed me; the thing was in
evitable. If the world had been look
ing on l believe she would have kissed
me then.
my dearest Phil" she said, ''Ill mar
ry you whenever you like" She
stopped above rose bush and plucked
q blossom: l bent over her shoulder.
deiiciously.
"Phil, Phil!" she cried. 1 followed
her glance, and there was Mrs. Vivian
sailing towards us. leaning heavily on
St. Alleyne's arm!
| felt convinced. by the Indifference
Of St. Aileyne's manner, that he had |
been doing his duty to me. He left Mrs. |
Vivian with me, saying: I'll see you
later, old chap" and he added, in a |
whisper: .Strike now"
/ did strike. and l won that after
noon. The feeble objections that Mrs. |
Vivian offered were easily overcome: |
attacked them all triumphantly and |
gained her consent; it was not given |
either. and although Jack |
could not understand it, could.
Iwalked home with st. Alleyne after
wards. Il had an awful quarter-of-an-
hour with that woman" he said; "you
really should have more consideration
for man."
I'm your eternal debtor" said
"What did you talk about?"
"You," he said.
ibid that tire you?"
Horribly" he murmured.
..What do you think of Mrs. Vivian ?" /
asked. He waved his arm despairing-
". "Don't!" he said. wouldn't mar
ry into that family to have all my debts
paid: not that they worry me much"
he added. thoughtfully.
.All you beggars are getting mar
ried." he said. what the deuce am
going to do?"
Marry Mrs. VIVIAN" / said; ssshe's
a widow. you know, and would jump at
you" He paused on the steps OF his
club to think about it.
1T would be rather fun. wouldn't it
II were younger wouldn't mind. but
I'm almost 80, you see. No, Phil. it
won't do. It's beastly thing to be
growing old" He sighed mournfully.
81 suppose you don't want any dinner?
No. thought not. There's one thing
left in life, anyhow can always
ne.-fdler.
some Caprices OF Paris.
Paris is capricious even in the mat
ter of her public statues, which are be-