St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1906-01-13

| II didn't take it myself" she said
/ glass.
sNever mind, dear. Let me see it.
I returned, genially.
cts not a good one, I'm sure" she
said, giving it to me, somewhat unwill-
ingly, thought.
'Why, it's yourself, Madge! Now
that's nice. You'll print copy for me
before l go, won't you? This must be
| the one of you I tried to take down by
| the barn yesterday-during the five
minutes you were good enough to
| favor me WITH I added, laughingly;
''but l didn't think should have man
aged so we'll" :,
Madge looked uncomfortable.
I'm so sorry, Hugh, but l broke the
negative you took yesterday. This is
| another one"
"Ah! said I.
'It fell, you know"
"Indeed!"
$50 you see, this is another one,
Hugh"
$50 you have told me-" l said, brief
| ly. l certainly was not going to help
her. -
''It was pity it fell. I'm sure it
would have been better than this one.
You know, it jast slipped from my
| fingers and broke
There was a silence.
Then Madge said:
''Mr. Samson wanted to take me, and
thought you wouldn't mind"
mot in, the least" l replied, indif-
ferently, and then there was another
silence
you don't mind, do your" she asked
| at last.
well, I am rather glad you were
photographed with your own camera, "
l said, having thought it over.
What difference did that maker"
she inquired.
why, the result is your own.
should certainly object to any other
man having in his possession mega
tive of you," said, slowly, looking at
her bonny face. She blushed.
'Hugn!
"Well?"
Il said he could have one"
I had feared it was coming, but l
was far from feeling resigned.
"He begged for it," she added.
Cali the more reason why you should
have refused, Madge."
Madge was ruffled.
"You are much too severe. l can
surely give my photo to whom l like.
I'm not bit sorry promised it to
Mr.. Samson"
"Madge," said 1, seriously. do you
mean what you say?"
"Why should l not mean what l.
say?" she returned, shortly. "And,
anyhow, can't break my promise"
"You can break the negative" said l..
Chow very mean of you"
II believe you care more for Sam
son than for me-" I blurted out, fool
ishly.
THAT wouldn't be so surprising,
would it," she retorted, calmly.
"Then let us end the matter!"
cried.
"As you please"
She was twisting off Ter ring when
Samson came out Of doors again.
would you like to try some snap
shots up the valley?" he asked her.
ignoring me- II noted some fine bits
this morning, and the light is nov
first-rate."
Eyes; l think it would be rather
nice,' she assented, cheerfully.
l knew l was growing pale, and in
desperate disregard of everything,
whisper ed:
Dear, don't CO." 1t was only a
breath-a prayer-and wondered II
she heard.
beg pardon" said Samson, po-
litely.
There was an awkward pause. Sam
son, too, seemed to feel uncomfort-
able, for he stood gazing across the
fields as if in search of subject for
conversation. Madge was playing with
the negative of herself, and fancied.
or hoped, saw softening about her
lips, while I certainly caught quick,
half-humorous CLEAN in her gray eyes.
+ "Mr. Samson!" she exclaimed very
suddenly, and he started and moved
quickly, but not more quickly than
her hand.
Something cracked sharply under his
left foot. II
"Oh, Mr.. Samson" cried Madge, re-
prOachfully.
He was all apologies and regrets
over the ruined negative, but Madge
was kindness itself.
you'll let me try AGAIN." he plead
ed, as some one called him into the
house. She laughed and shook her
head, and he went away disconsolate.
''Madge, I've been beast" whis-
pered, catching her hands, land you're
far too good for me-"
I'm afraid l am" she said, with
quaint gravity. But I'll try to dis
improve. You'd like me better if II
weren't so nice Oh, I'm talking
nonsense. I've been simply horrid to
you. Hugh Oh, Hugh"
Samson was standing at the window,
and must have seen us. Served him
right!
Up Against It.
$50 your old bachelor friend really
decided to get married."
Yes, and he says, now that he has