St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1907-03-09

present, the always-with-s ething-to-
say-for-himself, had raised his tones
slightly above the whisper that became
a conspirator, because the darkness
and the shrubbery concealed him, arch
traitor that he was.
But suppose she doesn't like it,"
whispered the o.Aer figure.
ooh, she'll be sure to-likes him
amazingly-and he's been hard hit
from the first day. 1t would be a
match, anyhow, sooner or later. I'm
just going to help it on bit. When
a man gets to be 80 he's too delicate
about his love-making to suit me-
But suppose she should be angry"
insisted the other voice again. Il am
sure it would make me perfectly furi-
GUS If were in her place, and If
were ever to find it out"
She'll never know" said Dickey,
readily. He'd just go to her, you
know, saying that I sent him to plead
my cause-and the old chap can talk
pretty we'll when he gets strung out.
Then Jeaniell give him hint-'Why
don't you speak for yourself. John p
you know, and the next thing they'll
come out, arm in arm and smiling like
one o'clock, and Rembert will break
the horrible news to me that he has
unintentionally supplanted me in the
affections of my beloved. OF course,
it's my cue to look wretched for day
or two, but I'll gradually recover, and
begin to look up and take notice when
you're around"
Fan broke into a hysterical giggle,
crying, "Oh, Dickey, you are so orig
inal! l always said you were intended
for comedian!"
Dickey struck a dramatic attitude,
right foot advanced, hand on heart,
after which they went in, laughing.
Miss Garner, the queen of the house
party, was very gay that evening, and
several of the disaffected, who had in
uuired why she should have the dis
tinction of sovereignty in anybody's
house party, were beginning to see
why True, she was "a, but her eyes
were really remarkable when she was
animated. True, she was not wealthy,
was little more than Independent, and
decidedly the poorest of Mrs. Arnauds
guests, but her voice in speaking was
enchanting, and when she sang every
one remained in the room. True, her
mouth was large, but then her teeth!
In short, that evening Miss Garner
was amusing and entertaining as many
of the house party as could get near
enough, when she CHANGED to glance
up and saw Dickey Fleming leaning
against the wall, with his arms folded,
gazing at her with hungry eyes. The
moment his eyes met hers Dickey
sighed, and dropped his gaze to the
floor with such look of agony that
the unconscious Miss Garner turned
to her hostess, and said, hurriedly,
Upon my word, Mrs. Arnaud, l am
afraid something serious is the matter
with Dickey Fleming"
But If the women were obtuse,
Dickey had no trouble in making his
meaning clear to Mr.. Rembert, whom
he sought out early the next morning.
"And you think you love this young
lady?" he asked. He had swung around
in the revolving chair so that his face
was toward the window, and Dickey
was left to solace himself with view
of one ear and the back of we'll
formed head.
"Oh, sure!" said Cickey, with ready
enthusiasm.
Then why don't you tell her this
YOURSELF" asked the elder man, coldly.
"Oh, I've tried over and overt" said
Dickey, rafting ruler on the table.
when it comes to the point I'm struck
dumb, you know-couldn't say word
to save me. Besides, / know she'll
listen to you-the women all do. And
say, anything you can throw in, you
know, about my good qualities"
The other whirled suddenly around
in the revolving chair, and looked
Dickey in the face "By the way" he
said, dryly, what are your good quail
ties?"
Dickey's furtive grin took on an en-
barrassed look. well, you know,
wouldn't like to speak about that" he
said, with becoming modesty, You
just think it over-anything right gor-
geous you can throw in I'll take it as
favor. Just make it 'besut,' will
you, and I'll try to live up to it. Ta-ta
now; I leave you to think up your lit
tie SPELL" And Dickey went out,
happily unconscious of the look that
followed him.
"WelJ?" said Dickey. He concealed
a grim behind his hand, and tried to
look modestly expectant.
Well" repeated Mr.. Rembert.
brusquely, II have accomplished the
very unpleasant Office you asked me
to undertake for you. And the young
lady assures me" He paused, and
Dickey had brief temptation to ex-
ecute a jig or any other rapid step
which would relieve his feelings. "She
assures me-" continued Mr.. Rembert,
deliberately, that she feels honored
by your love, and that she accepts your
offer"
Dickey's jaw dropped and he groped
aimlessly with one hand. When he
recovered, Mr.. Rembert had gone, and
there was an echo in the back parlor
as though a door had just slammed,
He was alone in huge, blank world
which was all one vast mistake. When
he recovered again. Miss Garner was
sweeping gracefully down upon him.
She held out both hands, and smiled
as she came.
"You dear old Dickey!" she cried.
why didn't you tell me long ago? And