St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1901-04-06
ALovER's QUARREL
By Mrs. Moses r. Handy.

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sSCopyrtght, 1901, BY the Author Syndicate)
mo, INDEED, we can't be married
IN in April; not before June; you
know they say May is an unlucky
month for marriages"
But, Helen, dear, surely two
months is enough time to get all the
clothes you want. You know you are
going to marry a poor man."
Helen Starin tossed her pretty head.
ut isn't the trousseau, altogether"
she said. Il want to have a wedding
worthy of the granddaughter of the
first settler in Starinyille. And the
first of June is the prettiest time of
the year for that"
Tom Carter looked worried. "Need
we have a grand wedding?" he asked.
81"
Helen interrupted him. ''The bride
always settles that" she answered,
severely. "The bridegroom is sup
posed to be thankful to get her any
way. Papa is going to give me 1000,
and l mean to spend half Of it on
my outfit. and half on my wedding.
He says l may do as 1 like, and it is
all he can give me now; his money is
locked up in the factory, and business
is dull"
Tom Carter listened in astonish-
ment. He was young lawyer with
a promising business. which he and
his partner hoped to increase. Two
fhnnS1nd rn for he
amount of his last years income. He
was silent.
Helen looked at him keenly.
"Well?" she saio
will it cost as much as that?" he
ventured to ask.
Yes, indeed, every cent. i mean
to have the church decorated by
florist from the city, to order the
supper from town, and to ask every
one. Then we must have an orchestra
for the dancing, and lovely favors for
the german; something people will
keep as souvenirs. You don't look as
If you liked the idea"
aren't you afraid that it will
offend the local tradesmen If you or
der everything from the city?" Tom
asked. hesitatingly.
81 don't care if it does" replied his
sweetheart, pettishly. "You talk like
papa 1 should think you would want
to please me-"
Il do. more than anything else, but
won't you let me tell you what I
Think"
There was a warning light of tenn
per in Miss Starin's eye, which Tom,
not being wise in the ways of women,
failed to notice.
"Well, then, I hate the idea Of MAX
ing spectacle of our marriage, and
/ think that as I am a poor man.
quieter wedding would be more suit
abe. Still, you are the person to be
considered"
SIS that ALP"
"No, not quite. You know those
new houses on Ivy street which you
like so much. Well, / want to buy
one and have the deed made out in
your name. The price is $1,000 cash.
$3.5o0 if part is left on mortgage.
have $4,000 towards it; don't you
think it would be wise to have few |
and buy the house outright? Ask |
your father about it. Tell him the |
house is to be yours"
Helen Starin sprang up from her |
lovers side and faced him.
''What! be married in a corner. and |
not have a decent trousseau? had
no idea you were SO meant"
Tom Carter answered gently: ssFive
hundred dollars ought to buy a good
many clothes. and $500 pay for a very
pretty wedding. And I asked you to
consult your father. The house
would be yours, absolutely"
"Your wife's, you mean," she ex-
claimed, angrily. "But if that is the
kind Of man you are, viii never be
your wife. Here, take your ring"
and. throwing their engagement ring
at him, she flounced out of the room.
Amazed and indignant, Tom made
no effort to detain her. He went
home to his office, and at once set
to work on a knotty law case which
required all his mind. He was deter
mined not to worry. When Helen got
over her pet, she would take . reason
able view of the matter.
The next day brought a bulky pack
age, all his modest presents and the
notes which he had written to her.
That did not look like repentance.
being much in love. he
took heart and went to see her.
Miss Helen is not at home" but
be heard her voice in the hall and
caught sight Of blue skirt which he
knew well. By this time he. too. was
angry, and he left, telling himself
that the next step must come from
Helen; he would make no more over
lures.
This time he thought deeply ON the
matter, coming to the conclusion that,
being tired Of her engagement, Helen I
had seized upon this pretext to break
t q
Dick Turner. Junior partner In the
In. arm o4 Carter = Turner. was late
~ nett morning. sad evidently - Z
= = Annee. H thsew Anael4 1nee