St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1904-06-18

| DOu you KNOW. II was pain That
only hereditary good breeding re-
strained open expression of pity for one
so extraordinarily ignorant. "Why,
hens always lay colored eggs Easter
nornin'. Least they 60 where they's
little dirls-an' boys. Some of the eggs
are real inside, but they're not good to
cat. An other ones is tandy-an' they're
just fine.
They laid everywhere in my man.
mas house. Some" with a gleeful
chuckle, some was under the clock, but
I found dem!"
"Gracious!" exclaimed Dunreith,
properly astonished
She nodded assentingly, and dis
missed the subject
| Nov, tell me-" she commanded, why
you haven't any dirl of your own Let
me up. Use tired" A big yawn veri-
fled the assertion. Il dot up so early
! for fear the rabbits would eat all the eggs
the hens laid. Go on"
I Dunreith lifted her to his knee. He
was recalling what racket there always
was in his sisters house Easter morn
ing, when her small sons were hunting
for eggs, and the wreckage of motley
hued shells and candy that followed in
their triumphant wake. He had been
stupid to forget.
well, maybe it is because the big girl
I liked best went of and married an
other man." he explained.
did she know you dubbed her q
LOTT"
mo. was going to tell her. But
was afraid it would not be any use. So,
l didn't"
The shining head against his breast
was slowly shaken. "You ought to told
her. l always tells my mamma. She
likes me to tell her. She likes to be
lubbed!"
Dunreith laughed-a short laugh that
was half sigh.
you blessed baby!" he said. And sat
still and silent-thinking thinking.
The appearance of his Japanese serv-
ant between the portieres reused him.
He raised his hand, enjoining silence.
For the white lids had dropped over the
forget-me-not blue eyes, He was re-
lieved by the fact. Those eyes remind
ed him too wildly of other eyes that he
had loved-and lost
The door had been open, the servant
whispered, when the child came along
the hall. She had asked to come in and
look for eggs. He knew his master would
not object. She was the daughter of the
lady to the north on the floor above.
They were newcomers in the apart
ment building. Should he carry the lit
tie one to her mother:
mo-" Dunreith answered "I1l take
her. He rose cautiously, not to waken
her. He passed out into the corridor of
the fashionable apartment house, and
stepped into the elevator. The boy
smiled in friendly fashion as he pulled
the cable. On the next floor Dunreith |
got out, and passed across the polished
floor to the fiat on the north. He touched
the electric button, and waited.
He felt as though he were about to part |
with a precious session-one that he |
had long treasured. He was looking |
down upon the flushed little face pressed |
to his breast when the door soundless-
1y opened. And, before he was aware of |
her presence, the woman on the
threshold had surprised in his face a
look of that child-love and child-desire
that lies deep in the heart of all good
men.
You found Rosemarie-" began q
charming voice.
Victor Dunreith Strengthened up,
holding out his Easter guest.
'She found me, in the first place." he
said, smilingly. "She was-good Heav-
ens-Vera!"
The young woman. standing before
him, tall, and graceful in her pearl
gray gown, with the valley lilies at belt
and bosom smiling back at him in the
old, sweet way.
Come in, Victor? Are you neigh
Dor of ours here-or only visiting a
friend?"
The bright hair was rebellious as ever,
the red lips just as provokingly kissable,
he thought, as he followed her, like a
man in dream. The child woke up as
he attempted to put her down on the
lounge indicated, and resented release.
II dess I'll stay with you awhile
MORE" she decreed. Mamma, dis poor
man is so lonesome He hasn't dot any
little dirl!"
Mrs. Preston colored deliciously, and
laughed. ooh, darling, that is too bad!"
she said.
"Sit down, Victor I've not seen you
'or ages. You were abroad when-when
Henry died."
"What? Two years ago, you say?
No, had not heard-1've only just re-
urned. came back last spring, to 10
.xact."
Mamma" put in Rosemarie, who had
scrambled down to procure for his in
pection fur rabbit with a detachable
read. HE didn't tell the big dirl he
ubbed her-so she didn't stay with him.
You like to be told when you're dubbed.
said SOL"
There was that in the forget-me-not eyes
hat made the man mad with hope. 81
Wish to God had spoken then, Vera!"
ie said. "Is it too late. now"
kiss me, tool" insisted Rosemarie. .
And look at my rabbit"