St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1909-10-02


at switchboard in the employ @
the telephone company, fulfilling tn
duties of an operator. Her fathe
smiled when she triumphantly in
formed him of her success, but di,
not try to dissuade her. The battI
of life had commenced for Gertrud,
il grim earnest.
1t must be confessed that after thu
novelty Of the thing had worn of
there were times when she regretted
! the leisure hours and luxuries which
had once been hers. But she did no
complain, and stuck 20 her task he
| roically, although at this juncture she
began to realize how very few friends
the average person can rely upon. Hel
acquaintance in bygone days haG
| been legion in number, but with the
change in her social position they be
came wonderfully scarce Three OF
four of her girlhood chums remained
faithful to the deposed princess OF
their merry circle and Loyalty ex
pressed their admiration of the man
ner in which she confronted her ad
verse destiny, but they were shining
exceptions to the general rule.
Perhaps the sharpest sting of all
was contained in the knowledge that
Lionel Wayne was utterly unworthy
OF the good opinion she once held of
him. From the day when he first
learned of her fathers financial ruin
that astute gentleman had kept care
fully out of sight and never even
came forward to express his sympathy.
Yet Gertrude, in spite of the disap.
pointment which the revelation of his
true character inflicted upon her SEN
s1t1Ve nature, felt thankful that she
had found him out in time to save her
self from the bitterness of a loveless
marriage. Whether Winslow would
prove equally faithless remained to be
seen. Business had summoned him tC
California before the downfall of tha
Desboroughs had become public, and
he was still absent from the city. Ger.
trude's belief in mankind had been
severely shattered by her experience,
and she hardly knew what to hope for
when he returned.
Time will show" she said with
wise shake of her little head, and ad.
dressed herself anew to the fight for
existence.
A month had passed away, and Ger.
trude, weary from a hard days work,
was reclining on a sofa in the parlor
OF their fiat, an open book beside her
While her father sat placidly smoking
a cigar and busted himself with
formidable array of papers covered
with endless rows of figures. A loud
knock at the door caused Gertrude to
spring to her feet, and an instant later
the tall form of Hugh Winslow ap.
peared on the threshold. The color
rose to the girls face at the sight OF
the unexpected visitor, but Winslow
gave her no time for a commonplace
Before she could speak
her small hands were caught tightly
IN his strong ones and the glow OF
in his eyes told her that he
was still the same stalwart and un. |
lover who had submitted |
80 meekly to her caprices in the past |
My own little grill" he murmured. |
gently, and Gertrude's wealth of brown |
resses rested quietly on his breast.
: you young folks seem to have set
led this matter very satisfactorily
between you," broke in Merton Des-
'orough's voice. He smiled as he
poke, and Winslow grasped the ex.
lnancier's hand and shook it warmly.
Thank heaven for your misfortune"
lie said, fervently; 'it has gained me
he heart of the dearest girl on earth.
Ter money was the only bar between
IS. Mr.. Desborough."
Merton Desborough's eyes were
1oist with feeling as he gazed at the
peaker. you are just the kind of
IAN I fancied you to be-" he said,
nally. Gertrude knows by this time
that valuation to put upon fair-weath.
friends and money-seeking suitors.
nd now I'll let you both into secret.
~ supposed ruin was nothing but a
cheme to test the worth of those who
ought my daughters hand. Merton
'esborough is just as heavy a weight
the financial scales as he was seven
'eeks ago. I don't regret the expert,
lent, for it not only proved Gertrude's
ourage and affection, but also gave
er a husband who really loves her
n herself"
One of Gertrude's arms crept around
er fathers neck and the other rested
pom Winslow's broad shoulder.
THE two people love most in the !
hole, wide world" she said, saftly !
am very happy girl tonight,
apa."