St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1899-05-20
The New Planchette
THERE was no one to answer the

G>>ss-ss-s-s
THERE was no one to answer the
bell. so Mrs. Cassidy went herself.
.'Why. Celia Bethune! am so glad!''
she cried. in greeting her visitor.
"Ies. l wanted 10 see you" the girl
returned fervently, as they kissed each
other. Il was out for a spin and came
this way. How do you like
my new suit?"
Il like H. 1t looks jnst lovely on YOU" "
Isn't the skirt too short??"
Not a bit. You want ii short"
But not too short" insisted the girl.
81 was so afraid it would be too short.
Some look perfectly shocking"
Il know. But yours isn't bit too
short Come in this way, where we can
sit down.
''Oh. but | mustn't stay
81 thought you wanted to see me?'
Cela.s exercise had heightened the
color in her pretty face. but blush in
creased it still more as Mrs. Cassidy re-
called those first words. Celia covered
her confusion with more talk in re-
gard to her new gown and the trials
she had undergone in having it cut and
fitted Even as she spoke Mrs. Cassidy
seemed forced to take the girls meas
ure in certain other light.
How old are you, Cela?" she asked,
abruptly.
why. Laura Cassidy. What ques-
ton! DO you think I'm going to tell?
Nineteen. Why?'
You'll be getting married before
longs"
..Oh. my goodness. I'm never going
to marry. But I've had proposal"
binshing furiously.
And you've said: Yes I'm so glad.
How lovely of you TO come and tell me
all about it."
Mrs. Cassidy was about to fold the
girl in her arms again, but Celia waved
her off.
''Oh. dear. no, And what's more. I'm
not going TO say: Yes Oh. l don't
know what I'm going to say. How do
you decide about such things? You've
had to. once. not long ago. Tell me.
That's what came for"
4 note of tremulous despair hovered
about her voice.
Its easy. You must know whether
you love Norman Ford or not"
Norman Ford! How did you guess
h;m?"
..Why. who elsecould ii be?"
He isn't the only young man." Celia
l.
Mrs. Cassidy gave tone TO rich
laugh. She was in love with the mo-
ment. Celia was mindful only of the
main question.
..You 7see. l would have to leave papa
and go and five with MIR. Ford. I've
only known him few months-a year
or two al most-and I've known papa
all my life
Mrs. Cassidy's laugh was very pro-
voking. Celia was vexed.
.'Oh. you know what / mean. What
makes you behave so? l thought YOU
would help me"
And SO l will. You must stay with
me week. Send for your things. You
must think it over. A matter Of this
kind can I be decided at once.
That's just what told Norm'!" said
the girl, flashing joyously. 'It's so kind
OF YOU to help me. / knew you would.
/ want to talk ii all over with you. You
see. i don't want to make any mistake"
And talk it over they did every day,
almost every hour. for week.
1T will be better for you not to see
Mr.. Ford until you can give him
definite answer" her friend had said.
and Celia acquiesced in the wisdom of
this. ''Of course. l can't choose for
you. can only help you to know your
own mind"
How did you ever choose?" Celia
asked, envious of her friends ability.
1T was easy. l just knew"
That's it; you always know every
thing and never know anything"
Later. when Mrs. Cassidy questioned
her, Celia said: I'm tie morning I'm all
for papa Then it seems just as clear as
can be what l shall do. But toward
evening about the time Nor-Mr. Ford
usually comes-the red poured into
Cela's cheeks-"why, I'm all at sea
again"
But you don't really have to choose
between them. You just
''oh. yes. l do" interrupted Celia.
very positively. 1t can never be the
same 1t will all be different. / should
have to give up papa. and shall most
certainly say: No."
This was in the morniuc
In the afternoon Mrs. Cassidy and
Celia went for spin through the parks
on their wheels.
.'Oh, Air. Ford and have had such
lovely rides on a tandem that he has"
Celia said. rapturously. II wish had
written him note telling where l am
staying. Il really don't think there
would be any harm in his coming. and
he might help me to a decision. 1t real
ly seems as if it wonld be heartiess to
say:x No. for he says he thinks every
thing of me. Yon just ought to hear
him.tadckix : And, as you say. haven't
really got to give papa up. He might
come xAfd hvewith us. Anyway. could
see him every day-almost as much as
lido now, for he's only home a few hours
in The evening But II did seem SO ter
lir4c at frst.-
In the morning the terror of il all re
turned, made worse by feeling that .
decision Must be reached that day. for