St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1905-01-28

dreaming there. those dreams, ala.
which had taken her from him. An
from the silvery radiance that so vivi6
~ brought his past into life again h
turned away with anguish, sternly e1
tered his study. and as on similar o.
caSlons the wee, small hours foun
him working at his civil engineerin
plans.
But tonight he seemed destined t
suffer yet more intensely. While look
ing among his papers he came acros
scrap found long ago, half-burn
fragment Of one of those accursed let
tiers from Helen's mysterious CORE
spondent. 1t read thus: my sym
pathy, even love, you have won throug
your depth and nobility of characte
l.. your majestic presenc
and enthusiasm must break down al
| barriers once beyond tn
seas
Here was mystery such as ha,
| never confronted him. Which was il
ambition or this influence? And daw1
found him thus, while he braced him
self to face life, silent and alone, ami.
the silence of his shattered hopes AM
home.
1T is with its main outline I an
here concerned -
These words, reaching through TIE
vast assembly gathered in the rooms
OF the Progressive club, caused the
listeners to lean forward as if at.
tracted by the well-modulated voice
the eloquent words, and majestic pres
ence of the lecturer. The unusually
animated debate lasted two hours; then
the reporters, their swift work over
followed the various groups, SO ex-
pressive each of the foremost thoughts
or struggles of the day. For many OF
these thinkers these meetings held
their measure of benefit, received in
one way or another, but with a woman
like the lecturer they seemed bat
minutes of delightful interchange of
IDEAS on topics of ever-increasing in
terest. She felt herself foremost
among those who were united in fur
thering the cause of universal sister
hood. Yet there were times of late
when her expressive eyes would fill,
times when she felt a sudden terrible
void, a heavy silence; then she would
shake the burden from her shoulders
and think with pride of the final
emancipation of woman and the uni
versal moral and mental enlighten-
ment which was the aim of progressive
thinkers.
The work accomplished for these
holy causes, the enthusiasm she Great
ed in whatever circle she moved. caused
Helen Hunt years of delightful ex-
istence, for already five years had
elapsed since silence had fallen upon
FernWood.
She had now reached her apartment,
very simple but for the handsome desk,
easy chairs and valuable books it con-
tanned. AS she entered, radiant with
the exhilaration of an intellectual
feast, she plunged her face in beauti-
full bunch of flowers handed by her
maid. Suddenly she paled, putting them
away from her.
Take them-take them away-that
Yes, it haunted her-so
did the silence of Fernwood. Was it
only tonight it chung to her, that it.
dimmed the melody of her batteries,
the hum Of society, Of applause?
Her soul was awakening and yearned
for some kindred spirit-she thought
Of the dear friend and correspondent
from whom she was now expecting
news, such news as would thrill her
with its great joy, or turn her cold with
! sad foreboding. She was full of con-
lending emotions now that she had at
asst yielded and it had been arranged
that they would both sail for Europe
IN the spring.
1T might be the story of Ulysses
Ind Penelope reversed" had sarcastic
lily exclaimed society woman, which |
biting remark Helen had overheard |
Such comments CALLED her: and she
vas annoyed, as well, by the discreet
attentions of wealthy barrister. Al
his thought Helen arose and walked
o the window; as she looked up to
he cold radiance of the frosty night,
yer firm lips quivered, and two tears
tole down her cheeks, but bracing her
elf against any weakness, she turned
o the table and took up a paper, for
he was more than ever eager to ascer-
ain If, according to the letter received,
he departure of the steamer might
ave been fastened. Yes, there was
ews, absorbing news.
One dismal February evening the
rain pushed along the station of Cliff
ord. The town just then was being
listed by severe epidemic. Owing to
he inclemency Of the weather the sta
On was almost deserted, and the light
com its lamps could barely pierce the
nick mist, through which a woman
ho had just alighted tried to find her
'ay. Her anxious look at last dis
erned tall form muff1ed in a gray
vercoat; as his keen glance shot
cross the space, he slowly advanced
, meet her. One minute of rigid self
apression-and then, in the same 81
nee with which she had left her
ONE, he led her back to it.
Could any words have been spoken
fter this barrier Of five long years?
He led her to the cozy bedroom, al
avs kept in readiness as she immedi-
ely saw, and tears sprang to her eyes
pom finding there every comfort. As
) helped her settle down in the arm