St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1903-12-26

and there and long, delightful afternoon
in the cool, shady library reading an
talking, his time was taken up in man
ner altogether more profitable than II
worrying over figures and dry CONNER
cial facts.
And so while it came as a crushing sur
prise as we'll as sickening blow to Philil
Dennison, when one day he returned
home Unexpectedly and found Alta in tn
arms Of his friend, it really was not 81
surprising after all-when you TAX
human nature and all the circumstances
of the case into consideration.
There was no scene. Dennison startet
as one shot, turned deathly pale ant
reeled, then turned and went to his room
He uttered no word of reproach. TIT
following day Randolph sought him ou
| in his office.
"Phil," he said, II am cur and an In
crate. Name your own revenge. vii
stand it like a man. But l do want tt
say this: Your wife is blameless and un'
furnished. She has been indiscreet, tina,
Is all"
Philip Dennison fixed his keen gray
eyes on his cousin, and Randolph eoulc
not fail to note that they were sunker
and black-rimmed.
you tell me to fix your punishment,
he said "All ask is that you tell me thu
truth. Will you do it?'
Before God" replied Randolph.
docs she love you?" asked the hus'
band.
The other stood silent for long time
Finally he replied:
"She says So"
Dennison sank back in his chair, then
recovering, went on:
"Clare, there is no ned of elimination
between us. You know the position you
have assumed. Neither words nor blows
will alter the facts nor help the solu.
ton. leave your punishment or justif-
cation to your own conscience. AS fol
the lady, l love her too entirely and I'M
selflshly to desire her moments pain
or unhappiness. IL had hoped to make
her happy. If cannot certainly will
not hold her an unwilling captive. II
she loves you will see that she is freed
from union that must be abhorent and
impossible if it is not based on love and
trust. l will communicate with her
Good day, sir"
Randolph bowed with a flushed face
and departed.
The letter Philip Dennison wrote hts
young wife was classic. Without re-
proach and with kindness in every line
he laid the case before her He blamed
only himself for supposing that SO young
and beautiful creature could love him.
He offered to free her so she could marry
Randolph, and do it in such manner as
to avoid scandal. In the meantime he
would reside at his club.
Alta received this message with wild
throbs Of delight. She had lived in fear
ever since the denoument and she was
very fond Of Randolph. Dennison went
ahead with his plan for a separation,
keeping her posted with every move. His
care seemed to be all for her. The finan-
cial settlement was such as to make her
gasp with surprise at his liberality.
AS the weeks heightened into months
these things grew upon her. She began
to realize the nobility and simplicity Of
the man she had lost. The shadows
cleared away She saw the folly and
superficiality of her infatuation for Ran
dolph. Already he was distasteful to
her. A thousand forgotten incidents of
Philips devotion and tenderness crowded
into her mind. AS she read day by day
in the papers of his victories in the world
of his high stand in politics and citi-
zenship-of the honors heaped upon him,
she flushed with pleasure and cried out in
pain. She realized at last that she loved
him and him alone. Finally she made a
mighty resolve.
It was Just at the crisis when the pro-
ceedings for separation were about to
be begun when a woman heavily yelled
was ushered into Philip Dennison's pri-
vate Office. As she tore the veil from her
face he turned ashen pale and leaped to
his feet.
'Alta,"-he said Then sternly: II
thought we were not to meet"
She sank on her knees.
"Oh, Philip, forgive me-" she said. II
could not help 1t. just had to see you
before the proceedings were begun. T.
I-oh, am SO unhappy. love you
Philip. I made wretched mistake, q
horrible mistake, but 1t was because I
was young and foolish and lonely. Take
me back, Philip, and will never give you
cause to regret 1t. Can you forgive the
mistake. Philip"
He lifted her gently to his arms.
Thank God for the mistake, dear" he
said. because now We know"
And so society was deprived Of a most
luscious tid-bit.