St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1904-07-09

| las marriage. AND Mary, we'll, l know
that she will guess the reason for YOU
departure, and be as disappointed a.
your brother at the sudden termination
OF your Vision account of her brother
Only this morning she was saying how
she wished that you could stay all win.
ter, and how it cheered her to have you
here (you know she has not been very
well lately. AS for myself, was fool
1sh enough to hope that we might get
back to our old friendly footing.
thought that it would depend on me
and that certainly you would not refer
to that-must say it-unfortunate &C.
currence. You seem determined that
shall not have the chance to forget, even
If | would, and act as though had CON-
| mitted crime that was likely to repeat
at every opportunity. One grows used
| to disappointment, even though he may
not be able to forget, and while your
presence here has shown me how utterly
| l love you still"
She help up her hands and interrupted
him with an exclamation of well-as-
sumed alarm: Jack, take care, if you
go on talking that way and looking at
me SO, shall surely think that you are
going to propose again."
Il promise you that am not, though"
he replied, patiently Il was just about
to say that even my love for you would
hardly make me lay my heart at your
feet when know it would be trampled
upon"
Hasn't it occurred to you that our
being here and assuming such friendly
relations as you desire might have ten
dency to create false hopes in Mary's
mind? I know she used to hope-I be-
lieve she prayed that you and THAT is,
that things might turn out differently"
II wouldn't be surprised, for used to
do that myself"
Nov, Jack, be careful; you know you
said you wouldn't"
"Who said was going to-"
you look that way. l really think
l will have to go tomorrow, early. Poor
fellow" she soliloquized, The don't know
what his eyes say"
1T won't be necessary for you to 60
tomorrow. am going to-day"
you are going to-day" she gaspei.
"How many minutes ago did you COME
to that decision?"
about FIVE"
"You have been here week. sup
pose you are fully rested from the past
three years vacationless work. ]
thought Mary said that the doctor Or
dered three months rest for you. l
rust have misunderstood her."
II don't need any more rest than you
do" he replied.
She ignored his remark and went on:
Then favorite brothers are. not SO
greatly missed by their sisters when it
has been only three years since they were
together"
He made no answer.
"And Of course no one would guess |
the real reason for your going so sud-
denly" She paused a moment, then in |
a different tone said: Il wonder If |
were to ask it as a special favor to me.
if you would stay"
'Only on one condition"
"And that isl"
THAT you stay, too"
Her heart was beating in her throat.
She knew that she could not keep up this
acting much longer. Not a day had |
passed in all that long three years since
she had said mo" to him the last time
be had asked her to be his wife that she
did not regret that answer. He had gone
away and she had not seen him since
until they met in her brothers home
few days ago, and she knew the moment
her eyes first met his that he loved her
still, in spite of the long silence which
she herself had commanded. Since then
her bold bantering was, she felt sure.
he only thing that kept him from fall
ng at her feet, literally and figura-
lively. She was cruel, she knew it, and
had little conscience smitten twangs
every time she looked into his eyes and
knew that 1t was in her power to fill
hem with the old glad, joyous light
hat had been there before she had
lriven it out. Why should she not use
hat power? Why did she violate her
)wn feelings and pain him so continu-
,usly? Now there was sickening wear
n her heart that size had gone too far.
lie waited for her answer. She made q
quick resolve.
IF stay will you promise not to pro.
'ose to me once during the timer" |
yes, promise"
Then won't stay"
He looked at her in amazement, hardl. ,
airing to believe his ears. then strodb
yer to her, and standing close to he- /
emanded:
Lois. what do you mean?"
She lifted flushed but happy face and [
ooked bravely into his questioning eyes
nd said, Il mean just what say, Jack"
And he broke his promise then and
Farmer.