St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1904-12-31

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| ly, for, being by nature and habit a
truthful man, !e was at his wits end
for nimDle reasons. But Mrs. Murray
came to his rescue in true wifely
fashion.
NO" she said. che is Tot Cali
fornian, but he has spent some time
on the coast. Indeed. he is out there
now; he sent this on to us from Los
Angeles"
1T wasn't as carefully packed as it
might have been, commented Mr.. In
gals, putting a finger on a dent in
one corner of the frame.
pity about that" replied Mr.. MUIR
ray, who had recovered his self-pos-
| session, "but think we can touch it
up Bit
Their next friend and critic ex-
claimed joyfully,
"Theo Butler? I didn't know you
knew him! But you know so many
clever people, and never let on about
| 1t. l met him myself in Paris last
spring. Impressionist? Oh, yes, his
things always are; but he gets more
beauty into his tones than most of that
school,"
BY this time Mr.. and Mrs. Murray
began to feel vitality interested in the
personality of Theodore E. Butler.
One Sunday not long after couple of
artists dropped in to dinner, for though
Mr.. Murray was not of the fraternity
he was popular with many of the
younger sek
by Jove!" said one Of them as he
prowled around the library, that
impressionist bit is something new,
isn't it? Looks like Buffers work.
Oh-it is? How jolly to find it here.
l always like his stuff. Why, Butler
and I were old chums out in Frisco;
roomed next each other for awhile;
but I've lost track of him, late years.
He's been pounding out his existence
in Paris and mine in New York.
Realty" exclaimed Mrs. Murray,
enchanted. Her fibs had been repeated
SO many times now that they slipped
quite smoothly off her tongue, and in
all seriousness her interest in Theo-
dore E. Butler was genuine. Her hus-
bands was as great, but was accom-
panied by feeling of intense irrita-
ton.
'Who in the thunder is he anyway"
he demanded, darby, when they We're
alone. Mrs. Murray laughed hysteri-
cally.
MAY a merciful Providence protect
US from ever knowing him BETTER"
she said.
''Merciful Providence doesn't hurt
itself protecting people who lie like
troopers!" he roared.
"Shall we take it down." she asked.
''Then everybody would want to
know what had become of it. No; we
have got to face the music-quite one
Of us, isn't he!"
This was the state of affairs at
Christmas time when Katherine came
home for holidays.
"A new treasure, Daddy?" she
asked, nodding her head toward the
uymphs.
"Ah, my dear, yes; it's a picture"
he informed her, firm in the resolve
that he would not lie again.
Il could have guessed as much"
she laughed; "but where did you get
it, and who is it by. and what is it
supposed to be, anyway"
''It was given to your father by a
friend of his, a young art student"
began Mrs. Murray.
"Henrietta!" cried her husband
sternly, "let us stop this nonsense
To Katherine. at least, let us be truth
full. That picture is, as your mother
says, signed by man, an art student,
presumably ng-ahem-Theodore |
e. Butler But
Theodore E. Butler!" calculated
Katherine, turning vivid crimson
and casting down her eyes,
II fail to understand the meaning |
Of this" said Mr.. Murray, majestic
ally, glad of moments reprieve.
'The meaning of what?' murmured
Katherine. again turning toward the
picture. Her mother walked across |
the room, took her by both shoulders
and shook her gently.
know about him. she commanded,
conscious that she was on the track of
the mystery.
The girl was half frightened by her
mothers vehemence. She felt dis
tinctly fearful, but rallied her wits
sufficiently to say rather wickedly,
III he is friend of Dads, you ought
to know all about him yourself; aud
you have one of his pictures"
We bought the picture" said M.
with dignity; "and strange as
it may seem to you, we do not know
all about Mr.. Butler. II you can en-
tighten us, pray do"
"Well," she said, II know what all
the world knows-that he Is a clever
American who has lived long time
at Paris; that he studied under Julien,
and made something of hit at the
Salon last year"
Mrs. Murray he aved sigh of relief.
Besides" continued Katherine,
while the blush returned to her
cheeks, besides, know him; that is
Il have met him, at Sally Clinton's
last summer"
Il never heard you mention him."
said Mrs. Murray doubtfully.
II think l mentioned him." said
Katherine. But there wasn't any use
in talking of him because you didn't
know him.
Mr.. Murray eyed his daughter Curl
ously.
But" questioned Katherine, grow
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