St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1908-05-30

For moment they stared at each
other speeches.. Then he leaped on
the house and ran to her, she shrink
ing back from him as he tried to take
her hands.
'Yeu must mott" she cried, as he
would have kissed her. "Greg, you
must not! I'm married. It's all diff
ferent row."
He tried to put his arms around
her, but she pushed him flercely back.
Her eyes were flashing and her bosom
rose and fell.
I'm Joe's wife," she said.
Then, from his face, she seemed to
| divine something.
what have you done to Joe?" she
cried. She would have passed him,
but he stopped her.
"No, mol" he protested.
''Let me go, or shall call him, - she
broke out. "You shan't insult me!
You shan't kiss mel"
He was kissing her even as he held
| her back, even as she fought and
struggled with him-on the lips, on
the neck, on her black, loosened hair
now tangling and flying in the wind
He was SO weak that she soon got the
better of him-so weak and dizzy that
he did not guard himself as she struck
him on the mouth with her little
doubled-up fist.
He put his hand to his lip and
found it bleeding. He showed her
what she had done. She drew back
and regarded him with mingled pity
and exultation.
Nov will you let me go?" she
cried.
"Madge." he returned, "Joes drunk
| In his berth. made him drunk
Madge. I had to talk to you, alone
and there was no other way"
She was stung to the quick. Hell
husbands shame was hers, and it was
somehow plain that Horrible had beer
at fault before. She never thought
to doubt Greg's word, though his cal
lousness revolted her.
What is it you want to say?" she
said at last in an altered voice.
ITO ask you to forgive me-"
"For what? for taking advantage Of
Joe's one failing?"
mo; for leaving you the way
did"
"PIl never do that, Greg-never
never, neVer!"
"Your father"
Don't try to blame my father
Greg"
81 blame only myself"
"Why have you come back to tor
ture me?" she exclaimed. you salt
it was forever. You cast me off, whel
I cried and tried to keep you. Yo1
said I'd never see you again"
"I was a fool, badge"
''Then accept the consequences, ant
leave me alone"
"And if I=can't-"
She looked him squarely in tn
eyes. 81 am Joe's wife," she said.
"Madge," he said, Il am not try
ing to defend myself. I'm throwin
myself on your mercy. I'm begin
you, on my knees, for what I thre1
away. +"
you've broken my heart" sh
said; "why should I mind il 20
break yours?"
"Madge," he cried, "in ten minute
we can be aboard the Norther
Light and under weigh; in an hou
we can be outside the reef; in two
and this cursed island will sink fol
ever behind us, and no one here wi
ever see us again or know whittier W
have gone. Let US follow the gal'
and push into new seas, among me-
peop1e-Tahiti, Marquesas, the Pear
islands-where we shall win back on
lost happiness, and find our love onl
the stronger for what we've su
fered."
She pointed to the windward SIX.
~ think / know the port we'd make
"Then make it," he cried, "and G
down to it in each others arms
For moment she looked at him
sort of exaltation. She seemed
hesitate no longer. Her hot hand
reached for his, and he felt in he
quick and tumultuous breath the fir!
token of her surrender. Herself
child Of the sea, brought up from Ii
fancy among boats and ships, he
hand as true on the tiller, her spar
ling eyes as keen to watch the huff I
a sail as any mans, she knew {
well as Gregory the hell that avail
ed them outside. To accept so tie
rible an ordeal seemed like a puri
cation of her dishonor. If she die
, she would die unstained: if she live
: it would be after such a bridal TIL
would obliterate her tie to the s.
below Then, on the eve Of her gi
ing way, as every line in her boo
= showed her longing, as her hes
dropped as though to find restir
), place on the breast of the man 81
= loved, she suddenly called up all b.
resolution and tore herself free.
I'm Joe's wife!" she said.
Gregory faltered as he tried aga
u to plead with her.
/ "You gave me to him." she bur
;. IN ;: -
5 M NJ -la0 ~m@SaMM