St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1908-03-21

MY uSdT, Sne LOlQ ner pest IrlenO
plaintively. II am a neglected wife,
Leah Athelstane laughed derisively
You are a pampered and much
spoiled little beauty" she retorted.
Clarice made mournful eyes. She
looked very interesting under sorrow.
John cares for nothing but his
stupid old Office and ridiculous deals
In stocks and bonds"
Which same ridiculous deals pay
for all your absurd extravagances.' -
her friend replied.
"But a woman would not need to be
e1traVagant If she were properly I'M
derstood. 1 buy things just to pass
away the time. Now IL John only had
soul should not want to spend my
days in accommodating expensive trifles. 50
Leah sighed resignedly.
Which means, / suppose, that you
have met some man with soul. Be
ware of him, Clare, souls are horribly
dangerous things"
Il cannot beware of him, ne is too
beautiful" Mrs. Lethbridge looked
ecstatic.
Fancy caring for a beautiful mar"
scoffed the sensible one
Il know it." agreed Clarice, II always
thought / preferred the athletic type,
but Svenreski is so overwhelming. His
hair and those fierce, wild eyes make
one forget his shoulders and lack of
height"
Leah sat up peremptorily. Don't
you pretend to tell me-" she retorted,
that you have succumbed to the evil
influence of that ill-bred little piano
player"
But am telling you just that, Leah
darling. Now don't be horrid cat.
He is rather crazy about me, too. He
said my throat was like the first flush
Of dawn. How could a woman help
loving man capable Of such delicious
compliments? Imagine John ever say
ing anything nice like that"
Il cannot imagine Johns ever being
such fool" shifted Miss Athelstane.
"He would throw me check across
the table and say was looking nice
enough to deserve new frock. That
is Johns vulgar habit"
do you ever toss back the check?"
inquired Leah.
'Of course not, he wouldn't take
1t. and besides. make it rule never
to fuss over money matters"
Poor John! But what do you want
me to do about this idiotic affair.""
"You must go with ME to his apart
ment"
"CIarice!"
Now don't shout like that and stare
as If | was suggesting something
shocking. am extremely interested
in man of great genius, and nothing
is more natural than that | should de-
sire to see him among his own familiar
belongings, in his home. John would
not mind bit, l feel sure, he always
gives me my own way"
Then he can go with you to call
on Svenreski.'
Clarice assumed an expression Of
patient tolerance.
you know very we'll that John
would kill every speck of romance in
the situation. Sentiment cannot lift
its head in Johns atmosphere"
at is too bad about sentiment. !,
myself, do not think much of such a
delicate plant"
But you will go with me?" coax
lngly.
Certainly not"
Clarice pouted.
"And you should be very much
ashamed Of yourself for even thinking
of such a thing"
Miss Athelstane was gathering her
forces for the well-deserved lecture
which circumstances seemed to de.
mand, but catching sight of thought
full look in the eyes Of Clarice, she
paused doubtfully.
81 think it will be all right to take
Amelie. OF course she will talk to the
ot6er servants, bat who cares for
kitchen gossip"
Leah sank back vanquished.
You are the most impossible crea-
.ure on EARTH" she scelded
But why? An aching heart, like
/ dropping flower, will yearn for its
SUM-"
"Bosh! When do you wish to make
his pious pilgrimage"
Tomorrow afternoon if you have
lothing else to do"
ct have a thousand things more ira |
,ortant than playing chaperon to a
uad woman and fool. but ! suppose
{ is my plain duty to save you FROM |
Fourself'
You darling!" clarice smothered
Ter friend with ELUSIVE caresses. 1T
viii be just too romantic for anything,
nd perfectly proper also, with you
long. Indiscretion could not live
within a thousand miles of you, and
( there is anything I do love, it is to
e thrilled and on my good behavior
II at the same time"
''You silly little madcap," muir
lured Leah helplessly.
"Of course am. but am also very
retty and quite irresistible" Clarice
nded with such funny little toss of
er head that Leah was forced to
.ugt1 and began to enter iato the
pint Of their adventure