St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1907-06-08


Cynthia l said solemnly, 81 am moi
going to do it."
Honor" she said, insiuuatingly
Just think how horribly unpleasant
it would be for me to meet him, not
having notion as to which letter
| put in the post. Whereas you could
be as innocent as a lamb, and easily
find out incidentally in conversation
whether l said Yes or No."
Il am not going to help you" said
rising and walking across the gravel
ed terrace to the balustrade.
Il am sure you will when you think
Of it, Honor, DEAR" she said entreat
ingly. 1T is not much l am asking
you to do. Just to see Mr.. Peters,
instead of me. Then I shall know
how to meet him, and shant be taken
aback."
1t was close upon three o'clock, and
a servant came to tell me that Mr..
Peters was in the drawing-room, and
that Cynthia could not be found.
AS the interview had been forced
on me I determined to make the best
of it.
Cynthia faced me quite placidly on
her return.
"Well?" she said interrogatively.
''did you see him?"
Yes, 1 saw him." I answered
CURLY.
"And which letter was it put in
the mail?"
Il have no more notion than you
have" ....-......-.
Cynthia opened her eyes.
you mean to tell me you talked
to him for half an hour and couldn't
find out that much! Weren't there
any symptoms?"
What do you mean by 'symp-
toms?"
When he came into the room did
he look jubiiant-as if he would like
to stand on his head? Oh did he
look as if he hadn't shaved for a
week, and never meant to shave
again? Did you ask him If he was
happy?"
MOI" I cried, exasperated, "nor did
I ask him if he was good; nor how old
he was; nor whether he dyes his hair,
nor any other impertinent ques-
ton"
Then it seems to me it has all
got to be done over again, and we are
no further than we were before" she
said dismally, rising from her chair
and walking to the window.
Il am afraid you will have to face
him yourself the next time, Cynthia"
l replied gently.
Suppose I were to throw myself
on his mercy" she said hopefully,
turning round after a pause-''teII
him the whole truth, and say 1 had
made Observation-Disclosures way it
was-what do you think he would
say?"
He would certainly have nothing
more to do with you," I answered Sc
verely.
i do wish I knew what I said"
she murmured. Il should feel so
much more settled
Three days passed and there was
no sign of Mr.. Peters. Cynthia's spir-
its began to droop, and I was sur.
prised to notice little line of worry
permanently settle itself between her
eyebrows.
Then one afternoon found her in
a secluded corner in tears.
ooh HOnOrD che .ohLa5
way altogether, Il must have said
No. Can't you help me anyhow,
Honor? You have never failed me
yet"
But what can 1 do?" replied,
helplessly.
go and see him. she said, des.
perately. Tell him I didn't mean
It, Honor--that / mean Yes for all
the rest of my life"
i can't do that" 1 said at last.
but Ill go and persuade him, If / !
can, to come and see YOU
| returned some two hours later
rom my rather distesteful mission to
ind Cynthia by herself in the draw
ngroom. To my surprise her face
vas wreathed in smiles, and she
waved a square of white paper at me
as | entered the room.
"Honor!" she cried. ITS the let.
.er! l found it in the pocket of the
lress I was wearing that day, and
les just waiting till the end OF the
week for my answer" stared at
Ter stupidity.
"Oh Honor, I am so happy" she
aid softly; don't be angry with
mel"
Mr.. Peters is putting up his horse
md will be here in a moment" | an
Wered, my wrath only partly appeas-
ID, and now, Cynthia, l hope you've
lad a lesson, and know your own
mind at last
"Of course do" she retorted, with
slight show of indignation.
Mr.. Peters at that moment came
q at the door, and I went out by the
Findow into the garden.