St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1907-05-18

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was member of the legislative coun-
Gil, squatter, merchant and mil,
lionaire, all at the same time. His
name was Alexander Dives.
Lady Dives was leader of society,
which means that she opened subscrip-
ton lists with crushing munificence,
and entertained on a scale which
eclipsed even vice-royalty itself.
Lady Dives had daughter whom we
called the Divinity" She was a
sweet girl, and had been brought up
strictly under her mothers eye, a fact
which in itself was sufficient to guar
antee her fit to become kings con.
sort. But though she spoke five
European languages like native, and
| could ride dance, sing and play half a
dozen instruments better than most
professionals, she was not proud, but
charming.
In order to facilitate his public du-
ties Sir John employed as private Sec
rotary a most meritorious young man
who signed his letters Charles Gren-
vile Bassidge. This gentleman lived
at Dives Park, and was brought into
daily contact with his employers fam
| lily. He was a goodlooking silent
young Englishman of mysterious an
tecedents, who declined to talk Of his
past, and said he had come out to
make his fortune; but as this is what
every newcomer says, nobody gave
him credit for originality. However,
he made very good amanuensis.
In spite of his exemplary behavior
her ladyship regarded him with suspi-
cious eyes She saw that the "Divin-
ity'' favored him greatly, and it was
plain to all of us that he was more
than little in love with her.
Having grasped the enormity Of
this, Lady Dives lectured her daugh-
ter severely, while Sir John conveyed
delicate hint to his private secre-
tEry that it would be better perhaps if
he were to devote himself more assid-
uously to his duties.
Then it came to passing notes at
family prayers, arranging meetings in
the orangery afterwards.
One day her ladyship's maid, acting
under instructions, followed them to
to the house revealed the purport of
their conversation to her mistress.
An awful scene followed, and next
morning an advertisement appeared in
the daily papers inviting application
for the position of private secretary
and amanuensis to member of par
lament, etc.
The night that Bassidge babe fare
well to Dives Park the Divinity cried
herself to sleep with a photo and
bundle of bilIets-doux under her pill
low. She asserted that her Charley"
was not '"pauper" and a nobody"
and she said she would rather die
than give him up!"
The new secretary proved to be a
little sandy-haired man, who wore
spectacles, and confined his attentions
solely to his blue books, being wise
enough to leave female society alone.
Her ladyship satisfied herself that he
was not, dangerous, ~arid for a month
things went smoothly,
About this time, Mr.. C. G. Bassidge,
who before had declined every invita-
ton he received, suddenly became a
great votary of fashion, religiously at
tending every society gathering in the
hope, suppose, of meeting with his
lady love. The consequence was that
Sir John, Lady and Miss Dives were
Invariably conspicuous by their alb
sence. Every day the warfare grew
more and more bitter, and we out
siders wondered how it would end. AS
might be expected, public sympathy
was entirely with the lovers, and to
my knowledge Mr., Charles Grenville
had more than one offer of
assistance.
At this juncture Sir John and his
lady contemplated a master stroke,
and announced immediate departure
in the Ormuz for England, in order,
they said, that their daughter might
be presented at the next drawing
room.
A stroke of luck favored the lovers,
for just week previous to the boats
sailing Miss Dives came of age. Some
One sent her an anonymous box of
violets, and l believe she
valued it more than all the costly pres
ents of her family, inasmuch as with
in the bunch was a tiny note, on the |
contents of which she acted.
Bassidge had given no trouble for |
nearly "a fortnight, and her ladyship I
began 10 flatter herself that she had, |
1T last! defeated him. I must leave |
you to judge whether or not such was
he case.
In view of their trip to England, the
Divinity had ordered travelling
lress of superlative texture and neat
lever dress fitted before it was neces-
'ary that she should have it most
carefully tried on.
For this purpose on the morning fol-
owing her birthday, she drove to her
,ailors; place of business, and after
the coachman to keep the
lorses moving, entered the shop.
The dress having been fitted to her
she watched her opportu-
lity, and, as the carriage was going
Up the street, she strolled quietly out
f the shop and down the pavement in
he opposite direction.
On reaching the general post office
he CHANGED upon Mr.. Bassidge, and
fter a moments conversation they
ntered a hanson together and drove
apidly; away.