St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1904-01-23
ridor she sunk in large dusty chair

inst1rctlyely choosing theatrical pose.
Eliot"
"Jack!"
The same handsome, nonchalant Jack,
looking not day older, stood before her.
She felt his critical eyes on her, and
shrank in her chair, as she thought she
read the curiously half-indifferent ex-
preston. A sob rose in her throat, but
she bravely checked it back.
He saw only hard-faced women in a
studied attitude, who greeted him with
that air Of worldly wisdom, which men
condemn in women. There was scarcely
he thought, to the joyous, impulsive girl
he had known and loved. But he did not
forget the fortune her finery represented.
Jack" she said, almost timidly, nerv-
ously lingering belt of gold nuggets.
Il have the price,"
Baltch smiled; his vanity was pleased,
as he recalled the old words.
''And have you thought Of me all these
months little girl?"-he had been wont
to call her that in the past, but somehow
the words sounded strangely out Of place
now. HAS there been no one else?" He
spoke in the low caressing voice which
had once warmed the heart of his mother:
and for which women had loved him ever
since.
Flo went over to him, and placed her
hands frankly on his shoulders.
Il love you, Jack" she said simply.
years could not change me-"
CDR. Baltch!" They both started, as
small black figure appeared In the
doorway, and as Flo turned she stood
face to face with remarkably beautiful
girl, in the garb of nun. An inexplic-
able fear seized her, as she looked at Sis
ter Elfeda. The girls face was almost
infantile in its purity. Great serious
blue eyes looked out from the severe
habit of black with an expression OF
guilelessness. Little willful curls peeped
from the white folds about her face.
1--WE want you, doctor, when you are at
leisure, little Patrick O'Donahue Is
worse" Her voice was musical and she
left them with peculiarly graceful step.
her long black veil floating around her.
Flo thought of the enchanted princeses
in the fairy tales of her childhood. "Why
didn't she send a nurse?" asked the
actress abruptly. Possibly because she
did not choose to-" answered Blatch
petulantly. "Well we shan't quarrel.
Jack, shall we? Come, what have you tc
say to me?"
Why" he laughed confusedly, think
ing Of the fortune and other things, II
thought that was all settled years ago;
when shall it be, Flop
The moments sped all too quickly to
Flo. Baltch was charming, as he graceful
ly told her of love and constancy, the
while humorously liking his lot to that
of the martyr on the wall.
Il will not delay you longer from your
work." said Flo, presently. "How good
and noble you are, always caring for
others. It makes me feel that I, too, can
can amount to something real"
"A hundred thousand at least" Jack
was thinking, complacently.
But l should love to just take peep
at the hospital" she continued.
THAT you shall"
He called to the frowsy maid. annie!
Show Miss Webster through the house."
Tomorrow, jack" called Flo, and he
waved his hand to her gayly.
The corridors were long and many, and
Flo was soon tired, besides she had much
to think of.
Let us sit here and rest she said to
the girl, seating herself on a bench out
side the dispensary. The maid shuf1ed
away, and Flo sat dreamily at rest, list
ening half unconsciously to the murmur
of voices which floated through the open
door Of the dispensary.
What soft, harmonious voices those
sisters have,' she thought. Suddenly
she sat up straight. A mans voice
was answering the gentle tones of the
woman
"Ah, little Sister Elfleda, II was only
rich, instead Of beggarly M. D. without
a practice, you should not hide your
beautiful face" the voice sank to a
whisper. Itwas Jacks!
I'm not afraid of poverty"-in the wo-
mans tones again. There was silence a
and then-"Am so very
Dr. Jack?" "5.
When the frowsy maid returned to the
bench she started back half in fear of the
bitterly grim features which confronted
her.
"Give this to DR.. Baltch,' said Flo.
which caused the girl to start again. and
put her hans before her face, as though
warding of blow.
The note was brief. II am leaving for
Dawson City tonight. $50 900 subject to |
'our order, has been placed with Hallen
& Ward"
Flo Webster passed dreamily out
through the dingy waiting room; for an
instant she paused before the pictured
martyrs, and there was an expression In
Ter eyes as she looked up at them, which
to say: Il understand"
"COUNTRIFiED."