The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1898-04-23

the disturbed COuut6uauce VI uel OAu
cronv, "But it wouldn't be marrying
in the Lord to have man that had
cot rich out of a lottery. He'll be
church-mauled anyhow, and just think
of the disgrace!'
81 wouldn't have believed it Of Ly-
man Bee," murmured Mrs. Fling
family.
IT must say he always appeared to
be real God-fearing, and so kind OF
slow"
Giles sly. That's where he went
clear up to Gobang to buy lottery
ticket, and never said q word to no.
body! There's the postmark; it's
kind of blurred, but the G. is plain
enough. There's where Seth LOOMS
bought his ticket, up to Gobang.'
"Would he draw prize so soon?"
asked Mrs. Fling, who had q prudent,
practical mind.
Ella, you can buy ticket just be.
fore the drawing, ifyou're a mind to, "
returned the postmaster's wife. "Be-
sides, it amt the first time he ever
went to Gobang.'
II don't know as he ever went I'M
beknown BEFORE" said Mrs. Fling
meditatively.
81 suppose it kinder come over him
that twas business that he couldn't
be too private about, said Mrs. Judd.
Gland, here he comes! You be real
careful to keep out obffsight, won't You:
The deacon and / don't ever NEEDLE
with postal cards nor nothing, but you
was such an old friend and it seemed
as if YOU'D oughter to know, seeing
how it was between him and Mary
Jane. Don't he look real anxious;
And he's been hero every mail since
he came home, and if he came once q
week before twas a wonder. :" a..
Lyman Bee was tall and spare, will
m ungainly stoop and rugged homely
features. Only pair OF handsome
frank, blue eyes and a manly carriage
in spite of the stoop, redeemed hin
from positive ugliness.
Mrs. Fling, peeping through a crack
saw his face flush and a childlike de
light appear in the frank blue1 eyes
"My, amt he q hardened villain! H
looks just as tickled as if it weren'
wicked. But he did look kind o
suspicious at me, to see if I kne'
what he meant"
| Mrs. Judd finished her remarks t.
the empty air. Mrs. Fling murmur
ing that she had pies in the oven, hae
slipped out the back door. She wen
across lots. If one hurried. eve1
though one was fat and scant of breath
it was possible to intercept Lyman
Bee at the corner.
"They say there's worse things thai
that done, right along, nowadays
There's sight Of business done b.
church members that amt any bette
than gambling or lotteries. Anyhow
the talk will blow overland proputt
WON'T"
Thus Mrs. Fling communed will
herself, in the watches of the night
and saw roseate visions until sh
drifted into still moro roseate dreams
10 see Mary Jane the wife of q ric
man had been always her hearts de
sire. If she had only known wha
Fate had in store for Lyman Bee, hoy
differently would she have treate
him!
But he had seemed to accept til
olive branch which she had that da
(warily) held out to him. She la
limited to him that she could no longe
be firm against Mary James breakin
heart. She had said the same openl
to Mary Jane, and that astonisheC
but guileless, maiden had joyful
made plum tarts for the 'little famil
tea to which her mother had invite
Lyman.
As for Lyman Bee, he was fair]
radiant with happiness. It SCENE
certain, now, that his great rawbone
i. hands would never again suffer tt
severe pangs that they had period
cally endured from the replanting {
poisonous ivy. He had counted it q
joy-for Mary Jaae. At last MAJ
Jane would be his own, with no nee
, of painful receptions and hcartbreal
ing denials.
In a few days the wedding invit'
tons were QUITO the astonishmel
t of every one in Enfield. Of every on
| that is, except Mrs. Deacon Judd, VII
| was forced to keep her own counse
! though it was pain and grief to he
| because the deacon's postmastershl
, had already been placed in leopard
y by her habit Of reporting the conten
of postal cards.
The wedding was in church, and tt
bride had trousseau that came fro
!, the very depths Of her mothers purs
Mrs. Fling had said to herself tn
when you had got to brave the speec
} Of folks was no time to be meachinI
T And since Mary Jane was rich man
Q wife, though nobody knew it ye
= she was going to have her look Ill