St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1908-02-01

guess I've been something of a fool,
Miss Percival." he said, with an EN-.
barrassed laugh. I've been expect
ing folks to be mind-readers. Thanh
you for doing up my wrist
Phoebel watched him as he went
down the path. Il knew Nellie was
feeling bad about something the last
time she was here" she unused; "but
l had other company and so she didn't
say anything. It's queer what trifoS
will come between two people who
really think the world of each other"
and Phoebe sighed as she recalled the
one romance of her own life.
The cutting out of Freddie Westall's
clothes was done, and Phoebe was at
her stitching machine, when Mrs.
Gaines, her next neighbor, burst in at
the door and sank into chair. "Do
you know how to put in stove lin
ing?" she asked, breathlessly. John
took mine out and then was called
away and won't be home till noon:
and just before he went he remem-
bered to give ME letter he took out
of the post Office week ago-and it's
from my sister, and she's coming here
to-day on the half-past ten train, anu
going off in the afternoon on her way
home from the mountains, and her
son and his wife are with her-and
I've been canning tomatoes all the
week and let everything else go-and
I've been working every minute since
got the letter cleaning things up, and
forgot all about the stove"
"I'll go right back with you"
Phoebe said promptly, ald the two
left the house together.
Phoebe was possessed of "gump-
tion, and the stove lining was put in
as quickly and as well az John could
have done it.
Now, Laura" she commanded. you
just run and change your dress and
get ready for your company-'tis most
ii o'clock-and leave the dinner to
me- I'll have it all on the table by
IL, and run over afterward and wash
up the dishes"
"Oh, it is too much"
mo, it isn't." Phoebe interrupted
her. What are neighbors for if not
to be neighborly?"
So with a deep breath of relief Mrs
Gaines obeyed. and Phoebe set to
work on the dinner.
Everything went OF well. and at
half-past one the dishes were washed
and put away. and Phoebe was back
at her machine.
Just before supper, Mrs. Gaines ran
over for a minute to tell Phoebe how
grateful she was. MY company had
to go away at three o'clock" she said.
land If it hadn't been for you I
should have had to stay in the kitch-
en- most of the time and hardly seen
my sister at all"
Phoebe hurried her sewing after
supper, SO that by half-past eight she
was on her way down the road with
Freddie Westall's completed garments
over her arm.
I1rs. Westall gave relieved sigh
at sight of her. I'm so glad they're
finished" she exclaimed. Some of
the other children dared Freddie to go
through a thicket of horse-briers and
blackberry vines this afternoon down
in the pasture, and his only pair of
knickerbockers was torn to tatters.
You couldn't stay and spend the even.
ing, could your" she asked wistfully as
Phoebe rose to go. Il can't blame
folks for not coming to see me, when
! never get to see them; but do get
so lonesome-and my husband is away
this evening, too"
why, I'll be glad to-" asserted
Phoebe, and the two sat and rocked
and chatted till Mr.. Westall came
home at ten o'clock.
After Phoebe was home again and
had locked up for the night, there
came a quick knock at the door.
Somebody must have been taken
suddenly sick and sent for me-" she
thought as she drew the bolt and
opened the door.
Good evening, Miss Percival," said
voice which she instantly recognized
as that of the groceryman.
Il was going by home" the young
man said, land saw your light was
burning, SO | thought I'd stop and tel
you that acted on the hint you gave
me this morning. and everything is
all right. Nellie has said she'll marry
me. We thought we'd like you to know
about 1t first"
We'll, I am glad" thought Phoebe
as she fastened the door again and
went upstairs. Hes a likely fellow
and she's good girl. They'll never
be sorry, either of EN-
When Phoebe had put out her lighl
she lay for awhile watching the leaf,
shadows OIL her curtains. cast this
time by the newly-risen moon.
The dependency Of the mornine
| had given place to quiet happiness
| that was soon merged in pleasant
| dreams.
The Conscience of Sam.
Irxy IL, I l.