St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1905-07-01
81 ''Iknow what I'm talking about. ron
cant make me believe there isnH


won't get out soon, I'm thinking. !
wouldn't give a farthing for his
chances"
..And yet he is an innocent man."
Gorce jumped up from the table, his
eyes flashing anger.
Want me to tell you just what
think, Lady jenny" he roared. 'tWell,
then, let me tell you that you love
that scoundrel and don't love your
lawful husband. But take care;
don't need any weapons, l don't; !
have my two fists
"Gorce, you are crazy. You had bet
ter go to bed"
In the middle of the night Gorce
awoke with start, as If some one was
pushing him.
you haven't been to sleep YETI" he
snarled at his wife.
NO" Jenny replied in a tone thai
startled him. II cannot close my
eyes,"
"Charlin keeps you awake, sup
poser
Eyes"
He raised his head, as If to assure
himself that he had heard Alright.
Jenny drew nearer to him.
Listen she whispered; dear
Gorce, cannot live with the awful Sc
cret on my mind that Charlin is limo
cent"
An oath escaped from Gorce's lips.
Don't be angry Jenny pleaded
What's the use, dear? am going to
tell you the whole truth. Charlin is
innocent. The night of the crime he
was. on your premises. o, you are
hurting me, Gorce! Do let go of me!
You are strangling mel"
"That scoundrel passed the night on
my premises, you say?''
Yes, dear. He knocked just as ]
was locking up. I asked him what
he wanted. He said he came to say
good-by. He began to weep like a
child. He told me all about his life
and many other things that were any
thing but joyful. He said he didn't
blame you for not liking him, but that
it was not his fault if his love for
me was too strong for him. He had
one, because he thought to do SO would
be dishonorable.
1t seems that grief at our marriage
preyed on him SO that he could not
work or sleep. Then he took to drink.
In short time he had spent all his
t1r III Il
him here.
HE had made up his mind to leave
the country and try to live down his
sorrow. Finally he asked me if he
might sleep in the barn that night, as
he did not have a penny. He said
he would get up early in the morning,
go away and never come near us again.
He looked SO poor and downcast
that / could not refuse him the cheap
comfort Of lodgings in the barn. At
daybreak went to the barn. He was
still sleeping. / woke him up. He
went of, saying as he did SO:
Tell Gorce / have no hard feel
ings. / wish you both all the luck
in the world There's the whole story,
husband.
'We1l, that being the case, the poor
devil ought not be condemned" said
GORGE. But how can go to the au-
thcrities and say that he slept at my
place that night while I was away?
Think of the scandalous stories that
people. will begin to circulate! I'd be
risking your reputation. 'Twould
never do, Jenny. No, won't do it for
Charlin; no, / won't do it."
Jenny began to weep.
"Ah!" she sobbed, "Char1in has
shown that he is man of honor. He
would not save his life at the expense
of my reputation. You said yourself
that he refused to tell the police where
he had passed the might. He is max
ing greater sacrifice by remaining
silent than you would make by speak
ing"
Day was beginning to dawn.
Gorce jumped out Of bed with
bound.
"Confound that fool of Charlin!"
he cried. Hes worse than the night
mare. couldn't close an eye.''
He opened clothes press, took out
a clean bosom shirt and his best hat
and coat
Where are you going?" asked his
wife, who had been watching every
move.
I'm going-going to police head
quarters. Let people believe what they
will. Charlin shall not stay in prison."
Jenny got out Of bed and threw her
arms about her husbands neck.
BLESS you, my own dear Gorce, she
said. '.True, my pity for poor Charlin
was great. But my love for you was
and is greater still. / am proud Of my
husband. who puts duty before the