St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1903-10-24
The Return
/ By Nellie cravey Gilmore
Copyright, 1908, by Daily Story Pub. Coz

MRS. Darlington paced the length
lVl OF the veranda and back again
half dozen times, sat down for a rest
less moment; then rose and began
taking short turns up and down in
front Of the short flight Of steps that
led down to winding path of gravel.
Every now. and then she paused,
with hand on one Of the polished
ratings. to peer neutrality-suspicious.
trifie straightforward the thick-laced
tree branches skadowing the lawn.
Her hair, heap of shredded copper.
tumbled picturesquely over the
smooth, white forehead, just relieving
Il Of sternness begotten by the
deeply grave eyes beneath.
A half hour passed and the sound Of
q familiar footstep brought the blood
in rush Of scarlet to the woman's
face; in an instant 1t had receded.
leaving her almost as pale as the LIE
MarQue rose at her throat
Etheridge fastened the gate careful
ly behind him and came rapidly up
the walk, flicking the flowers on either
side with nervous cane.
= Mrs. Darlington extended both hands
ut once. TONI" she said, her voice
subdued that he might not catch Its
trembling. "I'm half afraid" she con-
tinued, clinging to him with cold.
shaking fingers.
Etheridge stopped and touched her
face lightly with his lips. with me!"
he asked.
The element Of reproach in his
question forced back her self-control.
''Of course not, dear. I was foolish.
Q trifle Observation-Disclosures all"
I'VE haven't any too much time.
Nona," he reminded, pulling out his
watch and glancing apprehensively at
the minute hand; - half hour 1T the
outside"
She whitened and caught her breath
1t his words, but collected herself Inn
mediately and left him for moment.
returning cloaked and hated for the
Journey. WED better take this side
street." she suggested as they left the
house: '.he usually comes the other
way
Dusk was falling rapidly. SO that
they were not likely to be recognized
as they walked on with swift, nervous
footsteps, past all the familiar land
marks and down the wide clay road
that led to where the team was wait
ing.
Few words were exchanged. Once
Etheridge glanced furtively into the
woman's averted profile. shock run
ming through him at its bitterness and
pallor.
Presently they came in sight OF the
long, white picketed fence that en-
closed the village cemetery. Mrs. Car
rington held her face resolutely to-
ward other things rs long as she
could. but her composure suddenly
broke and the hand that had chung
desperately to Etheridge's arm loosed
its clasp and dropped Imply. She
looked up into his face with mute.
hunted eyes.
.sWell?" The mans voice bore note
Of uneasiness, despite his effort to ap-
near natural. He took her cold nm
gers in his own and pressed them
gently.
"Wait for me just moment" she
said. with quivering lips. II want to
xo-there, for the last time. Tom"
Her eyes. strained with dry misery.
looked toward the cleaning shafts
pointing skyward in the distance.
Ethertdge released her mechanically.
,yov RI hide 4 gathering
frown.
Mrs. Darlington lifted her skirts IN
cre hand and sped swiftly across the
long sun-rusted grass. through
small revolving gate and on down to
the tinv. violet-bloomed grave, with
a.. simple cross of white marble.
within ten feet of the grave she
naused. the sound of mans voice and
that OF woman breaking sharply on
her ears. To the left was wire
hench screened from observation by
. dense clump of shrubbery. She sat
dovr ont OF breath, instinctively
drawing the dark veil closer about her
face.
..There's hardly any need OF discus
.,ng It further" the man was saying
a ! low. determined tone. Mrs. Car
,,neton's teeth sank into her lip till
the blood started as she recognized.
d,stinctly. her husbands voice. And
the woman-who was she? A herce
nanx shot through her-the bitterest
.he had ever known. After all, then.
.he had been right; he had not only
caased to care for her-but there was
another woman!
In \ moment they came into view
and both sat down on one OF .ne
benches. Mrs. Darlington snrank
r,oser behind the sheltering shrub
herv observing, with sigh OF unut-
terabie relief. that the woman was ner