St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1902-07-05

"H3 -, WORTH. al yum SotS1SCs
replied he, bowling, but you surprise
me. did not know that Mr.. Mayhem
had married; may l inquire how long
since the happy event took placer
Did not know that Laurence was
married? That is strange" laughed
she; yet perhaps not strange, either,
for he is SO reticent regarding his
own affairs. Why, we have been mar
ried Is years, though were it not Tor
my son and daughter, both OF whom
will soon be as tall as l am, could
hardly realize it had been so long by
half" and again she laughed mer-
rily.
1t was with difficulty that Horace
restrained his establishment, and as
the scene at the florists two months
before flashed across his mind, his in
dignation knew no bounds. But by
an effort he quietly made few more
commonplace remarks, babe her good
night and returned to the hotel.
1.-THE scoundrel!" thought he, ITO
be untrue to such fine little woman
DIS CAdC, duu uAC AOCACA Va LAS 1890
dren, too, just because he has been at
tracted by the pretty face of some
young girl, while his wife's hair is
gray, like his own! feel like shoot
ing him."
He sought his room and bed, but 1t
was nearly dawn before sleep visited
his eyelids, so wrought up was he
over his discovery of the evening. He
felt he ought to warn her, the poor
little, unsuspecting, wronged wife,
and yet he dreaded to be the execu-
toner of the love and trust with
which her face was radiant while
speaking of her husband. At length
he dropped into troubled sleep, to
dream that Mrs. Mayhem, Pale-faced
and wan, stood by his side piteously
saying:
"Oh, why didn't you tell me? II
you had it might have been in time
for me to have led him back out OF
the snares that wicked girl laid for
him. And now-he is gone, gone, and
my heart is broken!"
Late in the morning he awoke,
more impressed than ever that it was
his duty to warn the wronged wife,
disagreeable though it might be. So
he secured writing material, and
after destroying sheet after sheet OF
paper, he finally composed note in
which he told her, in as gentle man
ner as possible. of the episode at the
florists, and closed by begging her
not to think ill of him for being the
bearer of such news, as he very
greatly regretted the necessity he
felt he was under to warn her, and
expressing the hope that with her
knowledge of the affair, an influence
might be brought to bear that would
counteract any evil tolls into which
her husband had-probably uncon-
sciously-fallen, and that happiness
might once again be hers. This. note
he dispatched by the bell boy, about
the time he Judged she might have
returned from church. A half hour
later a white Enclosure was handed in
at his door. He tore it open and
read:
'Mr. Horace Worth-Dear Sir: To say
that l was amazed at the contents of your
note falls far short Of expressing nay feel
ings. If not asking too much of you, will
you please call at my home at four O'Clock
this afternoon? appreciate your intended
kindness. l reserve all else to say to you in
person. Sincerely yours.
AGATHA MAYHEM"
The writing showed signs of agita-
ton, and it was with quickly beating
heart that Mr.. Worth presented him
self at Mrs. Mayhew's door, at the
appointed hour. He was admitted by
the maid and shown into the parlor,
where he was at once joined by Mrs.
Mayhem. The pallid face and swollen
eyes, for which he was prepared,
were absent. Instead she greeted him
with smiling countenance.
"Mr. WORTH" said she, Il sent for
you, not-as you probably supposed
to question you farther concerning
my dear husband, but to free your
mind from the unjust charges which
I give you the credit of honestly be-
lieving. At first 1 was angry over
your intimation, but believe you to
be gentleman, and that you took
the course that you did from a sense
of duty. Fifteen years ago the Goth
of last March we were married. On
that never-to-be-forgotten day, ]
wore a bunch of violets, and the
table. where the simple luncheon was
spread was decorated with the same.
Since that day, the goth of March
has never failed to bring from my
dear, thoughtful husband, fragrant
cluster of violets; and two months
ago, as usual, when he is absent at
that time, there came by express q
box of the sweet flowers, containing
this card" and she held out the well.
remembered bit of bristol board. on
which was written, "To my darling
with hearts best love-Laurence.'
1.-THE next mail" continued she
drought his usual daily letter, il
which he told the joke of your sup.
posing he was bachelor, how YOU
asked if he was sending flowers tc
! his best girl, and of his reply. That
| is Just like Laurence, to have a little
quiet fun at your expense, by never
correcting your erroneous suppose
ton. l hope you will forgive him
for it, just as l have forgiven you
for your slanderous thoughts of my
husband" and she smilingly ex
| tended her hand.
just how Mr.. Worth managed te
mer out his sincere apologies, and
| get out into the street. he never
could clearly remember. But it is 6
fact that when he finally found ref
uge in his room at the hotel, he feel
| ingly remarked to himself:
s.T wish had three foot ca