St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1905-04-08
Really, sliss Lord, I don't know

'Rsally, Miss Lord. don't know
who authc1ized you To-"
I've come toto gather primroses.'
said Miss Lord nervously. "Is-i.
there any harm in getting primroses?'
you'll have company" said Miss
Heeley witheringly, waving her hand
towards the stile.
"O-o-o!" gasped Miss Lord.
why don't you climb over and be.
gin, then?" rose Mrs. Smurthwaite'.
voice, loud and angry. @
why don't you?" retorted Mrs
Stansfeld.
''She can't" giggled Miss Evans.
'1f these impertinent questions"
began Miss Flint. "Why, here are Miss
Heeley and Miss Lord! N's-it's-"
Miss Evans raped the stile sharply
for attention.
We've been done!" she said.
Whats the good of concealing it:
It's that deceitful girl! said no good
would come Of writing to hertz
"Why, you proposed it," cried Miss
Flint.
Miss Evans looked panied.
"Of course" she said, 'if you'll say
that you'll say anything!"
give had enough" said Mrs.
Smurthwaite furiously. "I'm going!"
Zone moment, ladies, pleased"
Hilton Hey was walking leisurely
towards them, driving Miss Heeley and
Miss Lord before him like refractory
sheep.
A sudden embarrassed feeling fell
upon the group. The newcomer alone
was calm.
you're all little early" he said
pleasantly. consulting his watch. Il
could hardly have believed that the
experiment of six initiated notes would
prove SO successful. I just wish 10
speak about letter from you to Miss
Joyce Chiltern which has happened to
fall into my hands. Will some one be
good enough to tell me what is the
shameless conduct to which it refers :"
eve decline to be questioned"
gasped Miss Flint in astonishment.
But Miss Evans grew bold.
ut was an ubiquitous fliration I'm
the part of designing girl, from
whose clutches we wish to save yor."
"Can you deny" cried Mrs Smurth-
waite, taking heart. "that she kiss ed
you last Friday night under Bridgee's
laburnum tree?"
'What?" Numbered Hilton Hey.
Mrs. Smurthwaite jumped.
Miss Flint told me"
''I?" interrupted Miss Flint. TT was
Miss Heeley!"
'I?" exclaimed Miss Heeley.
Hilton Hey cleared his throat and
began.
Really" he said dryly, you have
excited yourselves unnecessarily. Miss
Chiltern hasn't even granted me what
she supposed was clandestine meet
ing, requested by an initiated note, of
which the source was doubtful"
The six stood silent and self-con-
victed.
"You may not know" pursued Hill
ton Hey unblushingly. that come on
behalf of Miss Chiltern's fiance, Mr..
Cecil Clint, for whom have the high
est regard. He is, unfortunately, I'M
able to be present, but he will natur-
ally wish to bring action for libel
against you.''
Miss Lord began to cry.
There is one condition upon which
feel justified in saying that he might
let the matter drop''-and Hilton Hey
1rew a sheet of note paper from his
pocket. II have drawn up a statement:
We humbly apologize to Miss Joyce
5hiltern for the absurd charges brought
against her in our letter of the 28th ult.
We retract the same, and confess that
hey are entirely without foundation
care we to sign that?" inquired Miss
Ieeley feebly.
II would not coerce you for worlds. |
if Miss Chiltern receives this
etter with your six signatures at
ached Mr.. Clint may consent to ignore
he whole absurd occurrence. Shall l |
cave 1t with you, Mrs. Smurthwaite?"
Mrs. Smurthwaite took the paper |
Mechanically.
II need detain you no longer, ladies'.
food afternoon"
And Hilton Hey strobe away with a
rim smile on his face.
The postman brought Joyce Chiltern
wo letter next morning.
While she was laughing and crying
yer the apology from the six it oc-
urred to her to break the seal of the
econd, which lay on her knee. 1t was
rom Hilton Hey.
Ny Dear: If may call you so, as your
ather would have done. If am any
ldge of human nature this mornings
ost has brought your prosecutors and
anderers to their senses, for suggest
to them that an humble apology and
atraction might induce your fance to
t the matter drop.
I did not tell you that I am going
broad almost Immediately for year.
no doubt your wedding will take place |
sfore return. You will not be offended
ask you to divide the inclosed we'd
ing gift with Mr.. Clint and to keep a
orner In your memory for your true
lend, HILTON HEY.
CLOSELY following the IS" which
aarded the lower left hand corner of
le wedding gift there were four fig
Tribune.
Oldest known Tree.