St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1907-12-28
ON Y

II it had been anyone but Louisa
and-and DR.. Leigh! She checked a
rising sob. and turned into a side
street. 1t was almost deserted, and
hardly half square away was tall
young man. coming toward her. She
recognized him instantly, and her
first impulse was to turn back. But
no, he might have seen her-she
would not run away. She threw her
head proudly up, and looked straight
before her. He might recognize her
noW-he was alone; but she would
not see him. He was quite near now,
and her heart was beating fast. Would
he pass her by?
Miss Graydon!" The joyful sur
prise in his tone sounded very gen.
uine, but she would not notice it,
How do you do, DR.. Leigh" she
said coldly, ignoring his outstretch-
ed hand. Her expression changed.
Are you not going to shake hands
with me, Miss Katherine?"
She put her hand unwillingly into
his.
How long have you been in town?
Where are you stopping?" he ques-
toned
Il have been in town eight months"
she said distinctly, land l am boarding
in South Benton street." She took es-
pecial satisfaction in naming the I'M
fashionable quarter.
Katherine was an orphan and was
trying hard to cultivate her voice. She
managed to make ends meet by TAX
ing pupils of her own.
They walked on in silence a few
minutes. They had turned into a
street where the houses were tall and
shabby and built close together.
And you are living down here?"
he said, indicating the seemingly end
less row of houses. Alone, Miss
Katherine?"
Yes, alone. MY landlady and her
family are very respectable and good
hearted, but hardly congenial. Yes,
am practically alone. This is the
place. l can't ask you in, DR.. Leigh
Il have too much consideration for
your feelings. Mrs Hawkins front
parior is something to weep over.'
Now and then Katherine met DR.
Leigh walking in Benton street, and
he always joined her. looking sur
prised and pleased.
She knew he worked hard at his
profession, and also that the large
fortune left by his father rendered it
quite unnecessary. She ventured to
question him once when the subject
was touched upon.
Il love my work." he said. "And
1 should not be happy idle
But you need not be idle. There
are hundred things to interest one
and fill ones time"
Katherine began to look forward to
these walks and talks, and to the
great punches of violets and hot
house roses she often found in her
room, with Murray Leigh's card at
tached.
One day she found her washerwom-
an waiting for her with the plea that she
would come to see her sick daughter.
Il hate to bother you, miss, but |
she's ben cryin' fur you, an it seems |
like she would git better if you would |
come an sing fur her. She's that low
sperited she can't git well. It's that
terrible la grippy, miss
So Katherine went, taking with her
Leigh's lavish gift of flowers.
II can at least add a little bright
ness to some one else's life" she
thought, and herself, felt brighter far
he good it did the child.
She went often after that, not know
ng how often she barely missed meet
ng DR.. Leigh on the narrow stair
,ase. One evening Murray Leigh stop.
Jed quietly to listen moment at the
lalfopen door. When the song was
inished he entered without knocking,
md Katherine rose, flushed and agi-
ated, and babe the invalid a hurried
Good night.
wait five minutes, Miss Graydon,
Ind will go home with YOU" Leigh
aid
"Oh, am not in the least timid.
will not trouble you, DR.. Leigh Good
light, Mamie"
She hurried through the doorway,
mt Leigh followed her.
IF you won't wait for me, Miss
'raydon," he said, blocking the pas
age, Il will leave my patient and go
Nth you now"
He smiled, but Katherine thought
e looked very determined For a
loment she hesitated, half inclined to
esent his tone. Then she said:
Very wen. l will wait at the street
oor''
In few minutes he Joined her
here. 1t was quite dark now, except
Or the stars that were out in force,
nd as they stepped out into the emp.
/ street, Katherine felt glad that she
as not alone.
so YOU are the DR.. Leg they re
ard with such reverence, she said. |
Ny iandlady said they employed some {
ort Of Quack, she thought" {
Leigh laughed. t