St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1899-01-07

I tried to catch her eye during service,
but she only looked my way once, and
then dropped her eyes and blushed-
Cha! thought !. we are getting on.
But when the sermon began ! found
that Jones was sitting behind me.
Hang Jones:
Monday afternoon Clarissa's people
were ''at home" but only got a few
words with her.
''Clarissa," said, Il call it beastIy
shame the way"
wow, George, / do not mind your
being with Miss Carr"
Il was not thinking Of Jones'" aid /
hastily.
''Well, ! have no time to tall. now;
besides we must not be seen to- mnc
together. Do get some tea, am! of shs
tripped. 4
Not be seen too much tog-: ,hougt
I. Hang it: Clarissa is mean. Hdk
can l press my suit if she will not g5c
me an opportunity?
/ quite saw how j. was. / must ppt
give Clarissa any advantage. hut npst
carry the war into the enemy S county
Next day | wrote her long lelcr
in which dwelt on her unkindnep in
keeping away from me. laid on the
sentiment with tar brush. and pint
ed myself as a lonely and morbie5man
who wanted woman's synnthy.
How was l to make her 10, ne, p ar
ranged. If she would not I've r. the
opportunity? implored: interview.
As l was awaiting an answsr by
every post. l did not 60 t. see hr. but
no answer came. After three days l
went round in the evening, but lad not
the courage to knock; dipiafnat1 reia-
tions seemed to be ON q steiicsfe foot
ing. and after all, argued. il uouid be
rude to call before she answered my
note. However, thought Of another
plan as saw the parlor maid rturning
from the letter box. She wa q good
sort. and could trust her.
''Aice:" said-putting my hand
into my waistcost pocket
''can trust you?" Receiving : quick
affirmative l continued: vreil Miss
Clarissa that yon saw me wandering
about outside, looking reFs troubled.
Never mind Why" and, Slipping half
sovereign into her hand, I turned to gu.
when saw the shadow of Joness profile
on the blind. l made stMtegic move
ment to the rear.
Next day did receive little note.
asking me to meet the writer in the
Iark that afternoon ar > certain seat.
Aha! would I not servt her out? /
would not turn up: Bss thoughts of
Jones rose up, and so ] agreed to my
self that second thonghts were best. I
met Clarissa. but her n nn<r was most
cxasperating. She wo4id never let me
get on to serious or Sentimental topics
with her, and Jones same / dared not
mention for fear Of being accused of
being jealous-althaogh / really was
not the least bit so. On the whole, our
which she soon cut short, was
TO me extremely unsatisfactory.
And in this mannF We played for six
weeks or so. Our b,cetings were few
and short, for ClaStsa always had an
after engagement md If I called at the
house she was oa1 engaged or talked
mostly to other leople- She had also
got another girl 70 share her studio.
She was always y<v offish with me. but
at length bega1 70 think that this was
one of the fems't symptoms Of affec-
least, Ihsd rad SO somewhere.
I undoubtedly, therefore, / must be maxi
'Eg an impress;si on her. but still the
outward feeling ~ being kept at arms
length was not satisfying to me.
was sick - the whole thing. and
40 longer thought about the impression
could make ~ Clarissa. therefore
stood it just ler six weeks. and then
and only beconse / knew that Clarissa
would hold - 10 i'll determined to
make fool " myself and propose as
Ter CONTRACT. 1t all seemed very ridic-
ulous. but so1Ii no harm would BE- done.
rs was, ofepurse. still fancy free, and
she-oh. W.. even il she did care a bit.
L was hcr5knlt for suggesting the ex-
Without more ado seized
nv hat ard rushed round to Clarissa's
icuse. but my arior soon cooled as I
rot nearer. felt like going to the
dentist, ard when arrived at the house
| was half inclined to retrace my steps.
however. that faint
ieart never won fair lady, / braceA my
..as.h -. oRc~< crl lY~0cl.~A
Shat happened during the next few
" when / was face to face with
shall never quite remember,
but Il ow that Clarissa laughed, and
hat PIT up my hand to feel il my tie
asa1 the back OF my neck.
/ tefan my tale in a half-heartej
lsanaef enough, Clarissa looking halt
.nssed and half scared. but her ap-
parent indifference made me mad and
,oaded me on to say perhaps more than
had intended. Besides, now seemed
o he inspired in some mysterious way.
md am sure no real lover could have
yotrd up with = more impasioned ap-
1es'-
a; length 1 had finished. She had
Irorped her eyes and turned away 50
Maj could not see her face. Thought
- more about vague experiments now.
~ had sense OF delightful reality.
E6iIy l seized her hands-her silence
est imply CONSENT drew her toward
Z to kiss her-when she suddenly
tmped away and laughingly cried:
NO, George. you must not do that.
on have gone quite far enough, and
ow we will be friends again. You have
cted your part splendidly!"
Acted my part splendidly: l was
rushed. 1 saw she had been making
fool Of me.
'Oh, Of course. was only pretend
az" said. bitterly. and then. losing
" temper. ''but think you have BE-
aved disgraccfully. Clarissa. in the
ray you have fooled me and carried on
,ith that fellow Jones. wish You
God afternoon!" and walked quickly
oward the door.
George" Her voice startled me apd
looked around.
A few minutes afterward / said:
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