St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1902-10-25


at night and remember that they
shone on the land of his birth; that
the same MONDAY sun poured it's rays
on the old land and the new. He felt
that he was done with his home for
ever; that he was exiled by his own
deed from intercourse with the wo-
man he still loved; but, all the same,
he intended to work out new life,
for-well, perhaps for her sake, per-
haps for his own, for his old life and
old sins had grown distasteful to
Roger Meredith. He knew there was
something better in life than any
thing he had found yet, and he had
strange sort Of feeling that Clara
would understand one day the real
Roger Meredith, understand and for
give him.
So the days passed on-days in
which the mans character ripened
and strengthened. and the careless,
good-for-naught developed into
grave, reliant man, man who did
his duty, neither asking nor expect
ing reward.
Clara waited at home. waited as
women have to wait, keeping her love
story to herself-her unbroken, I'M
finished love story.
She sometimes heard news of Roger
through the bishop of Radford, who
delighted to speak of his nephew to
sympathetic listener. ;
Getting on splendidly, my dear,
splendidly. Put his shoulder to the
wheel at last. All! I always said
there was good stuff in Roger. Texas
| is making man of him"
Clara used often to go and lunch
at the bishops residence and talk to
the old man. She was very fond of
the bishop, b1ft not even to herself
would she confess that she still cared
for the bishops nephew-the high
wayman, the thief. One day she heard
| a piece of news that colored her face,
and set her heart beating wildly.
"My nephew Roger has had to
come home Ny brother is not at
| all well, and he wanted to see Roger
again before he died. The dear boy
arrived last week; he will be staying
here for a night or two soon, so you
must dine with us, Clara, and meet
him.
The bishop may have been getting
blind, but Clara's telltale pink blush
gave him a sudden clew to the girls
throbbing heart.
Hes been turning over new leaf,
my DEAR he said, gently, "it's a
great comfort to me, Clara, great
comfort; and God bless you for it,,
my child, if it's your work.
Clara said nothing; what was there
to say? She privately determined not
| to dine with the bishop; but of
course, she went.
She found very different Roger
from the man she had parted from
nearly five years ago; and Roger no.
ticed that some of the freshness of
youth had left Clara's face, to be re-
| placed by a softer, sweeter look. The
hard, brilliant girl had softened into
a tolerant and merciful woman.
| Roger flushed under his bronze as
he touched Clara's hand; she noticed
! the shame in his eyes, and her heart
bled for him.
Il am very glad to meet you again"
she said very slowly, looking stead
lily at him; Every glad, indeed"
II do not deserve this" was his
low answer.
| Somehow, after dinner-how it hap
pened neither Clara nor Roger was
ever quite aware-the two found
themselves alone in small inner
parlor, the other guests having con-
gregated in the larger room, where
singing was going on.
Roger looked at the woman he
loved, the woman he should love to
the end of his days, and an intense
desire came to him to tell her the
truth, to let her know he had not
robbed for his own sake, and so re-
deem himself ever so little in her
eyes.
II want to tell you something, Miss
Stanhope," he said in low tones.
"Will you hear me? It's quite short
story"
Clara inclined her head silently.
She looked at the man as he stood
up in front of her, and she knew
whatever his faults were that she
loved him, loved him as only strong
woman could. What was he going to
tell her? She could not trust her
self to speak.
In a few words Roger Meredith ex-
planned why he had stolen the jewels.
"The boy was saved by my theft, "
he finished, in a whisper; land my
brother runs straight enough now.
He. has had his lesson"
A long pause followed. Clara
looked at Roger. His eyes were fixed
on her, but he said nothing.
"Why have you told me this story?"'
She tried to speak calmly.
because I love you-forgive thief
for his presumption. Clara-Miss
Stanhope, 1 return to Texas next
month; say you forgive me before
go. I shall never see you again after
tonight. Say you understand ever
so little
Clara interrupted him.
do you still want my emeralds? %
Roger flushed to his eyes.
81 beg your pardon-well, perhaps
I deserve that speech"
II accompany my emeralds," muir
INJURED Clara.
"Clara, my dear, you don't mean
oh, no, it is impossible. I'm not worth
your love-"
"Perhaps not" was Clara Stan
hopes answer; ''but you have it all
the same" Then she added, shyly,
|