St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1905-01-28
and the nature lie deals with, he added:
i expected YOU"

and the nature lie deals with, he added
l i expected YOU
: Helen paled but remained speeches.
z there was that in her which condemne,
: her to silence. Day after day she Wen
about those little duties that added 81
much comfort to his life. He notices
how perfect had become her beauty
how easy and graceful all her move
ments, the dignity that rested On he
brow. On the other hand she saw how
gray her husbands hair had grown
how sad the handsome mouth, how
stern the eyes that of yore lighted
up SO easily.
| The evening was dreary; the Colone
had not been in to dinner. 1t was
, DRILLING and the atmosphere was
heavy with sadness. OF late Mr.. Hun
!: was frequently absent, and his silent
moods seemed to have become habit
ual, so much that he spoke with evil
dent effort. Was this home? Was il
life? Was this state of affairs the price
to be paid for the eminence whence
she had shone for while? Could she
keep this up? The great world had not
yet forgotten her, she learned from
the letter before her. 1t was one of
those letters that had always thrilled
her. Should she hesitate? Should she
go across the seas with this loved one?
The letter fell at her feet while she
unused; then, turning to the table, she
took up card requesting that Colonel
and Mrs. Hunt would he present at
| the opening of the Clifford library,
and an accompanying note asked eff
she would lend the attraction of her
voice to the programme, ETC." She had
given much time to this, years before:
now that the good was at last accom-
! plished what did she care?-to be seen
| with him, smiling her part-what a
| farce was this!
Her hands were tightly clasped. Five
| weeks since her return, and not word
OF welcome, not sign Of joy; her quiet
efforts were met with distrust. Moth
ing but this intolerable silence! What
attitude could she take but to seek
refuge in pride?
At last she heard her husbands foot
steps in the hall; he hesitated, then
walked into the bright sitting room, so
elegant and snug since her return.
After a space of oppressive silence,
as he stood on the hearth rug, he
ialy o6 ho 1yyirc OF DOT
The sight of the writing made his heart
stand still; his delicacy once more
caused him to hesitate; but, suddenly
resolute, he turned to the closing words
and signature, which ran:
Gin conclusion beg you not to con-
slider my pleasure nor interests at
stake. Lady W knows how you are
situated, and, like myself, approves of
my noble Helen's choice. With loving
friendship, FRANCES"
The letter fell from his hand, and
his voice, as he spoke, sounded cold
and distant:
.'Helen, it is a relief to know at last
that your mysterious correspondent is
the woman whose spirituality has won
for her the reverence of two worlds.
This choice referred To- but his
wife's listless air, as she gazed into the
fire, made him add bitterly: "You must
your privacy"
Again there was silence. ssYou must |
be cold" said she, at last, in voice Of |
studied calm
Yes, but might be still colder in
few days"
How sou
Il might take a journey to the far
northwest, and be absent many weeks,
nay, months; in fact, it is hard to say
how long. The railroad company needs
a man of energy in those Willis, and it
has honored me with the CHOICE
Her voice was still cold as she asked:
rs it of much advantage to you? Could
the journey be avoided?"
Yes, there is some advantage,
though I have work on hand l must
give definite answer within "a hours"
WELL said her clear, proud voice,
you must not go. 1t is too much ex-
posure; l see way out of this situa-
ton. / feel have once more dis
turbed your life, and should not have
returned; clearly my presence is I'M
welcome. No, do not speak. At last
you give me occasion to say that which
have long wished to say to you I
intend once more to take up the career
had chosen and in which I met with
Mistaking the nature of his
silence, her pride rose above her suf-
,ering, and she continued: 1.-TWO per-
sons who have become utterly indif-
erent cannot thus impose their pres
'nce upon one another. My journey to
England" She was near the door
against which he already stood; al
eady he caught her wrists in his
trOng hands and in a hoarse whisper
lsked:
is this your choice?"
She remained silent.
Why have you returned? l must
lave the trutI,.'
With tears in her eyes, she said:
I am not welcome enough to an
wer."
Welcome! 0 woman, womann'
Then looking into her upturned face q
nd pressing her hands against his q
'reast, he cried: s
Speak, speak! tell your husband
Vhy you have come back to him. !,
With radiant smile she said: t
Observation-Disclosures, l could not well