St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1910-08-13

Il hope you will forgive me for
laughing. You see thought you were
-er, some one else. And was so sur
prised l could not help laughing. Tell
me whether you are hurt. Let me
| help you" His face locked so hand
some and so appealing that the stony
expression of the woman softened a
trifle.
well, the least you can do is to
help me home" she said, gruff1y. I'm
all shook up" She evidently blamed
him for her fall. He raised her, and
she leaned on him, grunting and
groaning
They walked on. She said nothing.
Finally he began to be unpleasantly
aware of her weight His arm
seemed almost paralyzed and
drops of perspiration came out
on his forehead. He stood
still moment in the road would
you mind changing to the other side?
l could support you with my right
arm. This one is getting little
tired" The long lips set into a grim
line. Cant responded the woman.
my other arms hurt too bad" He
wondered vaguely how her arm could
possibly be hurt, but said nothing. The
woman urged him on. 1t seemed to
Ralph interminably.
She did not speak except to urge
him to walk faster. Finally. they
made one last turn and came within
sight of small gray house set well
back from the road In garden of
roses. Red ramblers climbed over
fence and porch.
AS the two drew near, young girl
arose from the steps and hurried to-
ward the gate. Oh! are you hurt?
Are you hurt?" she exclaimed, breath
lessly to the woman The latter put
out her injured" arm and opened the
gate with bang. mo! fell down
but want hurt a mite. Would ha'
been home an hour ago only wanted
to teach some smart fools lesson.
She strobe up the walk and into the
house. letting the screen door slam
after her.
Again the helpless fit of laughter
came upon Ralph. He leaned against
the gate. rubbing his numb arm and
shouting with mirth. This time he
had a sweet echo, and looked into a
rosy face dimpled with fun, for after
one blank moment, and glance at the
state of his attire, the girl had
semed to divine all. in flash.
The young man looked down some.
what ruefully at his coat and shoes. 81
seem to have received the worst of it."
he said.
The girl looked up with trace of
shyness. you could come In and
clean up. Do not mind her, she's pc.
culiar, but"
He broke in with question. "Any
relation?'" he asked. What If she
should be the mother!
mo! oh, no! We are boarding here
my mother and l. Mrs. Thurston
takes boarders every summer"
She started toward the house, and
Ralph followed. Mrs. Thurston met
them at the door. She led the young
man to a room, supplied him with
water and clean towels in grim silence.
But as she was leaving she paused.
Gimme that coat" Ralph handed it
to her, and she disappeared.
Presently she brought back the
coat. The long rip was neatly mended.
Guess this'll do till you can see a
tailor. Dinner ready In half an hour"
That dinner was memorable event
1t was a well-cooked meal. served in
the long bay windows where the
ramblers climbed in over the sill. Mrs.
Thurston lost some of her grimness,
and even smiled once or twice. Mrs.
Farrand, the girls mother, was very
gracious.
And the girl herself? She sat by the
open window, not in the blue dress he
had pictured. but In snowy white In
her eyes were the lights and shadows
the expressions he had seen in the
eyes of the Dream Girl around the
bend in the stream His wonderful
vacation had. indeed begun.
Afterward, he saw her alone for a
on the porch. The glove lay
n his pocket. He was afraid to ask
Ter about it. Suppose it should not
oe hers. He drew 1t out slowly. The
light from, the window shone upon it.
rhe girl reached up and took 1t from
lis hand.
why, you found my glove!" she ex
claimed In surprise
1T Is yours, then?"
Eyes. I'm SO glad! It is not very
,leasant for one not to have a mate"
He looked down at her.
I'm finding that out, too" he muir.
nured
He moved step nearer.
Good night" He pressed the little
oft hand in both his own for a mo.
nent. "Ill see you tomorrow morn.
ng." he said. I've arranged with Mrs
'hurston to come here to board"
Discriminating Rat Burglar.
Just before Easter 225 carnations
we're taken one night from the cellar
t l.. w. Acheson, florist, of Pitts.