St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1902-10-18

hind the clouds, and all was plunge'
into darkness. Starzey worked har,
to find the way out, and when il
reached his carriage it was about tw,
o'clock in the morning.
On the next day starzey directe.
his steps to the Turlins to propos,
to Catherine. But this proved impos
sible. as she was in her room dress
ing her hair. She was preparing t,
go to a ball.
Starzey had to wait long in tn
dining-room and listen to her father
jokes and anecdotes, which bored ant
irritated him painfully. After sleep
less night, he now felt as though in
toxicated with something sweet ant
pleasant. He waited for Catherin,
with bated breath. Finally, when she
appeared, charming and graceful, II
her evening dress, Starzey was st
overjoyed that he could not utter {
word-he only gazed at her ant
laughed. 1T is SO late already" she
remarked, looking at the clock, ant
she babe him good night" But
Starzey followed her, saying that il
was time for him to go home, as pa
tents were waiting for him there
'The club is on my way-may take
you over there in my carriage?" he
asked timidly.
Every WE'LL" consented Catherine.
1t was dreary, rainy night. Cath
crime and the doctor boarded the car
rage and started off to the club.
II was at the cemetery last night,
began Starzey. 1T wasn't at all kind
of you to-"
''Were you really there?"
"Of course was there, and waited
till two o'clock in the morning. sui.
tered"
ut serves you right-you may SUI
fer if you can't understand joke"
Satisfied that she played such q
fine trick on the doctor, and that she
was loved so passionately, Catherine
burst into laughter, and suddenly
screamed with fright as the horses
made sharp turn into the gates
Of the club. When Catherine leaned
slightly toward Starkey, he clasped
his arms around her waist and kissed
her on the lips and on the chin, and
then held her in a firmer grasp.
Enough" said Catherine dryly.
A moment later she was out Of the
carriage. Starzey hurried home, but
returned within half an hour. Dressed
in a hired frock coat and white
tie, which was for ever getting the
best of his collar, he sat in the club
st midnight and spoke to Catherine
With all the fiery passion he could
muster. "Oh, how little they know
who never loved! It seems to me that
NO one has ever properly described
love-it is indeed impossible to de-
scribe that gentle, joyous, sweet, yet
often painful feeling, but he who has
experienced it will not venture to de-
scribe it. But what is the use of SUI
perfuous eloquence! My love is lin
itless. 4 beg, I implore you," he ex-
claimed, be my Wl1el
"Afr. Starzey," said Catherine, after
a brief pause, a very serious express
sion on her face-"Afr. Starzey, am
very thankful to you for the honor;
I respect you. butt" She rose,
and resumed, standing, "but you must
pardon me, I cannot be your wife.
Let us speak seriously. Mr.. Starzey,
you know that love art above all
else in life; I love, I adore music, I
have devoted all my life to it. I
want to be an artist; want fame,
triumphs, and you would like me to
live in this provincial town, to con-
tinue this empty, useless life which
has become unbearble to me. To be
your wife-oh, no, beg your par
don! One should always strive to at
tain the highest and most brilliant
goal, while married life would only
bind me forever. Mr.. Starzey, you
are q kind, noble, sensible man, you
are better than any one know.
Tears gathered in her eyes. II SYM
pathize with you,. but you under
stand me; I cannot" And in order
not to burst into tears, she turned
and walked away from him.
Starzey's heart was beating fast.
On leaving the club he first of all
tore of and flung the cravat which
was choking him. He felt ashamed
because his self-respect had thus
been Inundated; he did not expect
and he could not believe
that all his dreams and torments
and hopes led up to SO ridiculous an
ending. And he was SO sorry for
his wasted love that he felt like cry
ing.
For three days he could do nothing
he could not eat or sleep-but when
he learned that Catherine had gone
to Moscow to study music, he Gained
down and his life flowed on peace
fully.
Four years went by. Starzey was
by this time very popular physi-
clan, with a large practice in the city.
One beautiful morning he received
a letter from the Turkins, in which
he was requested to call without fail
in the evening. There was a post
cript in the note which read: II also
invite you to come, Catherine"
In the evening Starzey went up to
their house.
"You never come to see me, doc