St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1910-01-29

Don't, please. Things are-hart
, e1ough already. >--I-am-"
"What?" John asked a little I'D
steadily. as she stopped, choking.
She locked her fingers hard. Il an
trying to see straight" she said
You can't know the temptation. whe1
one is tired and burdened, toto LEI
go-everything- the right"
Il don't see" John Began, Devil
deredly.
She had turned away her face
now she flashed round upon him, al
her struggle gone. "No-and you
never will understand" she said al
most saucily. You see, you are
both temptation and an opportunity
To take you or to leave you-1s very
upsetting. Either way l am bound to
be sorry. Whatever made you do it.
sir? AS long as I knew there was no
escape l worked without whining"
Therefore it's my duty to say-you
sha'n't keep on working" John said,
masterfully, possessing himself Of the
/ locked hands. She blushed beautifully,
but did not draw them away. He got
up, saying still more masterfully,
Now I'm going to take you back to
| the arbor-but mind, you are not to
dance oftener than every other set.
don't think, either, shall let you
dance with any other fellow on the
ground-then everybody will under
stand"
Yes, sfr!" Elizabeth answered, her
face the pattern of meekness, but a
wicked twinkle in the bottom of her
eyes. She tried to look unconscious,
to jest as gayly as ever with the 9TH
ers, but in spite of herself her color
mounted under the significant smiles.
What pity you settled things
right off the reel this way" Charley
Gray said teasingly, sitting down be-
side her. John had left her for mo-
ment. Charley, his best friend, was
graciously excepted from the rule
against other partners. Lindsay
Holme is coming after dinner on pur-
pose to see you. He told me so only
yesterday-you must have bewitched
him for fair. A hard-headed citizen,
old man Lindsay; but say, he's moon
ing like calf over picture he's got
Of you"
Elizabeth's heart beat madly. Lind.
say Holme, the partner Of her dreams!
She turned imploriagly to Gray, say
ing: Take me away! Quick! Home,
anywhere! John must not know"
Gray looked hard at her-something
in her face compelled obedience. Soon
they were whirling away to the
Walker homestead. but fast as they
went gossip had gone faster. Miss
Abby sat stony-faced upon the piazza
with the blind child wrapped and
hooded upon the steps at her feet and
a huddled litter of corded trunks and
boxes just inside the yard gate.
AS you see-I am ready for you,''
she admonished Elizabeth sternly,
waving her back as she made to
mount the steps. my roof shall not
be profaned by sheltering an migrate
and wanton. You would dance, for
sooth! You must pay the piper
Il am ready to pay" Elizabeth said,
proudly. STOPPING to gather the blind
child in her arms. Phoebe had sobbed
herself almost sick-she was slight for
even her five years, and nestled
against her sister as chilled birding
nestles to its mother. Elizabeth turned
about, the tiny creature huddled
against her breast. Gray held out his
q al - l,,,
I'VE will go back. If you please" she
painted. Il have nowhere else to
CO."
But they never got back to the dam
cling crowd. By the time Phoebe was
well asleep they met two men, each
riding hard. John Lane and Lindsay
Holme had sensed what lay back of
fight and had followed her.
Under the shadow Of big oaks they
halted.
Elizabeth looked from one to the |
other, her wet eyes suddenly clearing
Of all trouble.
John spoke first. Come home with |
me-" he said. please God it shall be
a happy home or you and Phoebe"
II offer you hoth--the home of
heart-it is all have" Lindsay said |
auskily. MISUNDERSTANDING
has held me silent-even now I ought |
lot to speak-but-you sha'n't starve."
Elizabeth smiled softly.
John" she said, her voice vibrant
IS harpstring, "if-if l could marry
you, l shouldn't deserve your love.
want to deserve 1T tried to keen
,aith-but-but Fate is stronger than
any of u.s."
Il understand" John said, looking
rom her face to Lindsays. God bless
you BOTH"