St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1907-09-28

there, any more than he did in Aus
tralia; he isn't the kind that ever gets
to the top of the heap"
Farmer Bowden's tone betrays
rather more of satisfaction with his
own perspicacity than of pity for the
poor devil' of whom he speaks. 1t is
the way of the world, we all know, to
kick man when he's down"
Hes been unfortunate, It's true"
Widow Durrelis voice is a shade
more compassionate, though she has
a profound respect for the opinion of
her neighbor and gossip, Farmer
Bowden. ''They say it's capital he's
always lacked to make his plans 1Gc-
cessful; but a4'S willing enough to
work, so he can't be altogether shift
less"
He's been a rolling stone; no won
der he's gathered no moss" rejoins
the farmer, oracularly. Il suppose
he'll be glad to get work at anything
now, for awhile, anyway thoughts OF
sinewy Dave Albrook swinging %he
scythe in his low meadows" running
pleasantly through his practical mind.
Why, haven't you heard?" in sur
prise just tinged with satisfaction.
Miss Genie's hired him on her place,
to take charge of everything-work-
ing foreman, she calls it-you know,
she oversees the farm herself. She's
got to have some one in Ezra's place,
since he's laid up with the rheuma-
tism, and I'm quite sure that if Dave
steadies down and sticks to the BUSH
ness, he'll get into good, permanent
position; for I've heard Miss Genie
say that she intended to pension old
Ezra off as soon as she could get a
man in his place"
While thus her friends and neigh
bors gossip kindly about her, Genie
Moray goes her way, serenely, fancy
free and independent, being law
unto herself. An only child, the. broad
lands and fine blooded stock eompris-
ing the prosperous dairy farm of
which she is the wise and happy mis-
tress, came to her from careful
father
Nobody knows what bright, kindly
memories Of the old days when she
went to school with blue-eyed Dave,
rise up in Genie Moray's heart and
move her to give him this good situa-
ton on her farm, second in authority
only to herself; but she lives on sim
ply in the old ways, neither seeking
nor avoiding him, but seeing a good
deal of him, naturally, and being una
voidably much in his company, as he
makes one of the family now.
Her frequent jaunts about the farm
are mostly with him, as matter of
course, but there is general stare on
the first Sunday when he accompanies
her and her mother to church, sitting
with them in the family pew. But it
Is done so quietly and simply there is
no room for comment, and as for
Dave himself, his conduct is simply
irreproachable; the more Miss Genie
gets to know him, so much the more
she likes and trusts him and approves
of his present course.
Till one day when he has been six
months in her employ; in fact, she
has just paid him his second quarters
salary, and he stands before her twist
ing the bills nerVous1y together mani
testify ill at ease, whereas light-heart-
ed Dawes natural manner is debonair
and well poised, without one trace of
awkwardness. At last:
IT don't want to take this money,
Miss Genie; it isn't quite fair, for /
think perhaps shall be leaving
you-soon."
"0h, Dave!" Miss Genie's tone is
one of surprised remonstrance, with
a slight shade of reproof. You've
only been here one-half year, and you
are doing SO well; are you dissatisfied
in any way, or have you something
better in view?"
Neither, but" another embarrassed
pause then he bursts forth in a
breathless sort OF way: Miss Genie,
are you going to marry Mr.. Roberts?
Tell me truly, pleased"
"Why, Dave!" Miss. Genie's face
f1ushes little, and there is a fine re-
preach in her voice 1T is not like
you to ask such a very singular ques-
ton"
Il beg your pardon, but still, are
you? I must know, because, if you
are
He says no more then, but the elo-
quent blood rushes up all over his
handsome, sun-browned face, crimson
ing even the broad white forehead.
IF am, you will leave me at short
notice, I suppose" Miss Genie says at
last, quietly, so quietly as to suggest
some emotion strongly repressed.
well, Dave, since you have asked,
will answer-no, / am not going to
marry Mr. Roberts-for one thing, he
has never asked me" She chooses to
ignore the fact that she has several
times STAYED of. this gentleman in
way tantamount to decided rejec-
ton. and that it is well known that he
is her devoted admirer still. "And if
he should ask, would have to say no.
That is all; your position is in no sort
of danger. l am still likely to need
foreman, as far as can see.''
She smiles in bright and friendly
way, trying to turn it off so, but he
will not let her.
"Oh, Miss Genie, you know | wasn't
thinking of that at all, only I heard
you were to marry him-and /
cOuIdn'f cfav whore I'd have tn see
that-no l couldn't, for love you my
self. / love You dearly dearly. Miss
Genie, my darling