St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1907-05-25

| marry, OeOFSe!
"You aren't available" I pointed
out. She threatened me with knit
ting needle.
my age relieves me from the neces
sity of boxing your ears
My age relieves me from the neces
sity of having my ears boxed"
you are boy to me-" She shook
her head slowly.
''You don't look 3d." I protested.
I'm 40 next week. You are SO
aren't your" I nodded. How old dc
you feel?"
Anything from 25 to 100. I think
Sis has kept me young. l shall miss
/ her If she goes and gets married" We
had been friends since she vas q
baby.
you won't try to persuade her not
to, will your" Her mother laid her
hand on my arm.
you over-rate my powers of per.
suasion''
Il am not so sure of that. She
thinks a great deal of what you say
"Umph!" 1 got up and took my hat.
I'm afraid my reign Is over. Anyhow,
she hasn't told me about the sweet
hearts. Good-by."
"Good-by" Mrs Vaughan held my
hand trifie longer than usual You
will miss your little playmate,
George" she said, gently. you've al
ways been SO kind to her; so very,
very kind. Shall never forget; but
Time flies doesn't it. If I were
you l should replace her by wife.
There are lots of nice girls"
I'm afraid should be hard to
please. Sis and Sis mother have set
my standard. Il. Bless them! Good
by!"
Then ! went. AS was going slow
ly down the front path Sis swept in
at the gate. She caught me by the
arms and tried to spin me round. The
dignity Of her years had not fully
come upon her.
MY dear mani" she cried, you're
looking as solemn as funeral What
Is the matter with your"
"Sweetheartsi" | said.
She opened her eyes wide. She has
wonderful eyes and splendid long
lashes.
You haven't" she cried. ''If it's
that horrid Miss Mellor I'll never
speak to you again . Then l be-
lieve it's Miss Gray? l saw her talk
ing to you after church on Sunday,
and you wouldn't take any notice of
me. She isn't bit nice. So there!"
II didn't say my sweethearts," re-
marked. She had the grace to blush.
Mother has been talking nonsense
to you" She poked a stone with her
parasol.
rs it nonsense, Kiddie?" I always
used to call her that. But suppose
you won't tell me your secrets now?"
She chivied the stone through the
gate and into the gutter.
you don't want to know my secrets
now" she said, with an air of griev-
ance. 81 suppose that Miss Gray
her hat doesn't suit her" She nodded
aggressively.
Miss Vaughan has a new hat, OBJ
serve. She used to show me her new
hats before she was grown up.
| wish you hadn't grown up, Kiddie.''
We'll, pretend haven't she pro-
posed. Lets go down the lane and
fish for tiddlers;;'" She laughed and
took my arm. do you remember
when / fell in the pond?" / laughed,
200.
Don't do that to-day. l can't pre-
tend you're little enough to carry
home. /. About those sweethearts,
Kiddie?''
which," she inquired, innocently.
Tell me about all of them
We've only an hour and a half"
She laughed wickedly, under her
breath
Then tell me about Jack Read and
Jim Bell Which is it?''
"That is the difficulty" she stated.
Which do YOU like best?"
There's birds nest somewhere
about here" she observed irrelevantIy.
Three speckled eggs!"
Which do you prefer?"
They're all alike"
''Your sweetnearts?
mo, the eggs" She laughed tri-
and l had to laugh too.
you mean you won't confide in me
now?" "
She studied my face, under her long
lashes, and grew serious.
"Of course Twill. | like Jack best,
because he's dark"
"Umph!"
"But l like Jim best because he's
eair.''
"Ph!"
Il prefer Jack when he gives me
books
COMPOUNDED cheek I growled.
"But prefer Jim-when he gives
me music"
Like his impudenee!"
She seated herself on an old tree
trunk and swung hor hat by the rib
bon
You see" she explained, Il ike
ack-without-JtD. and. Jim-without-
Jack. $50 / don't know what Is 10. i.