St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1907-12-14

formed, perhaps, and as TOT Hohord,
the matter was settled with her, and
when a thing went so far as that, it
very seldom changed.
She came forward to meet him this
evening in her slow, dignified way,
preserving the perfect sweep of her
gown, which in it's lilac silk and
black velvet displayed her big blonde
beauty to perfection, showing as
much enthusiasm as she ever allowed
herself.
She wound up her warm welcome
by saying:
1--WE were afraid that you had for
saken US; your visits have been so
scarce of late"
Honoras cousin, Ruth Joslin, who
was politely included in the plural
pronoun, was seated reading near the
crate, which the chill evening of
early spring made comfortable. She
returned his salutation and went back
to her reading.
You look tired" said Honora, an
exquisite note of concern In her
voice; Il fear you are working too
hard and trying to carry too many bur-
dens at once
Then, with tender interest, she be-
gan to inquire after certain of his pa
TENTS.
1.-THE most urgent need have is in
the case of Mrs. Martin" said he;
they live in the next block, and are
old acquaintance of mine. Mrs. Mar
tin is sUffering from nervous prostra-
ton, and the invalid and three chill
dren are entirely without care. Being
strangers here, they have no neigh
| bors to call upon, and l cannot hope
for very much success until help can
be procrred.''
Before Honora could frame con-
selling reply, to this confidence, Ruth,
who bail been listening earnestly,
| spoke to- her:
''Honora, let us send them Jane.
/ We can do her work for while.
Honcra turned a voice and face of
| gentle reproach on her cousin.
my dear Ruth, how unneighborly
| it would seem, even if Jane could
leave her duties, which you know is
impossible. We must not forget our
duty to strangers. will go myself
| tomorrow.
THANK you, Miss Paine" said the
young man, gratefully; you will be
showing the truest kindness in going
/ And he mentally compared the gen
crosby Of the two girls, much tc
Ruths disadvantage.
4 The next morning DR.. Wilmot en-
tered the gate of the Martin resi-
dence. In the front yard the fve-year
old twin boys were holding circus
supplying the lack of wild beasts witt
their own lungs.
At the door he was let in by ten
year-old Mary, who wore a genera
untidy, discouraged look. The dining
room was open, showing dusty car
pet, scattered over with cases il thu
shape of ashes, bits Of coal AM
crumbs.
When he entered the sick room
there sat, by the bed, Honora Paine
in an irreproachable street gown an
! bonnet, carrying on formal CONVEX
sation.
! Honora was sweetly sympatheti
during the call, and watched the doc
tor approvingly as he drew the cul
tains and tried to make Mrs. Marti
, comfortable.
That evening he called again, hope
1essly, to be sure. He noticed that tn
! porch and walks were tidily sweep
and the mornings litter absent froI
a tho front yard.
In answer to his ring trinity q
tired figure opened. the door, in whoI
he recognized Ruth Joslin.
1 A pinafore was drawn snugly owe
r her street dress, her dark-lashed blu
a eyes almost black with excitemer
a and exercise her bronZe-brown hal
! tossed fuf1ly over her forehead. Raj
: ing warning hand, she said:
i IT do not think you should go II
!. just yet, Dr. Wilmot; left Mrs. Ma
q tin sleeping quietly only a short tin
a ago Tea is ready, and Mr.. Marti
r wishes to know if you will not com
3 into the dining room and share it."
And she opened the door, showin
instead of the cherries, untidg roo
Of the morning, coy place, wit
il neatly set table glowing attractivel
under the yeifoW-shaded lamp.
If Mr. Martin. looking several yea
il younger than in the morning, We
3. seated at the head of the table: ne,
r. him, the Twins, who with their clea
d faces, collars and cravats, locke
"a quite angelic.
n When DR.. Wilmot descended Il
If stairs, having left his already muc
d improved patient with her husban
he met Ruth in the hall.
Miss Joslfn. have finished n
rounds and am on my way down tow
h VIII you not accept my escort to yol
d door?n
IT No. thank you, said she, decide
n " q shall stay until the childrt
% are asleep, sTrs. Martin settled for Il
ID night. and arrangements made
z, Mary to prepare breakfast. But
If would like you to stop and tell Homo
/. where I am. and that will not be
d: home for an hour or So Goodnight
le And Ruth started upstairs with t
sleepy twins.