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

would not consent that he should be
burdened with the support of her
mother and sisters, as hundreds OF
other women had done before her.
Burrell, who was superintendent of
the electric light works, had to admit
that she was right, and, while he re-
leased her, he did so with the clear
understanding that he considered him
self still irrevocably bound, and
should continue to do so as long as
she lived, or until she married some
other man.
And, moreover, he came to board
with them, and found consolation in
seeing her constantly, and helping and
comforting her in thousand ways.
He was especially fortunate in be-
ing able to mollify old Mr.. Worthing-
ton. listening patiently to his com
plants and his interminable stories,
and he even relieved Miss Vantage at
chess, permitting himself to be beaten
with the utmost amiability But his
indulgence drew the line at the old
mans criticism of the house and it's
management. Not only did he stop
him, but he intimated pretty plainly
that he was ungrateful Il reckon
am" he replied, grufly, "but haven't
any patience with their fool talk about
their rich kin; l don't believe they
have any"
This, however, was to be at last
proved beyond cavil. Mrs. Wilton re-
ceived letter from Jabez Wilton's
agent in San Francisco-he never
wrote, himself; he always telegraphed.
The letter stated that Mr.. Jabez Will
ton would start east that morning
and be with them five days later
Mighty preparations began at once
Mrs. Wilton insisted upon giving up
her own room to Uncle Jabez, and
went to the expense of buying a new
carpet and new curtains; she also
brought out the few remaining relics
Of their former prosperity-pictures
and bric-a-brac and embroidered
cushions.
The eventful day came, dull and
threatening, with a biting east wind,
A fire cracked in the CRATE, casting
rosy shadows upon the wall and cell
ing of the cheerful room, which was
in readiness for its prospective occu.
pant. At the last moment Susan had
filled a bowl with splendid yellow
chrysanthemums and placed it upon
table by the window.
The train was due at four o'clock,
and Burrell and Susan had gone ia
the station, hoping to recognize the
expected arrival by some sort of in.
tuition.
Mrs. Wilton ran upstairs after they
had gone to see if any thing needful
had been forgotten in the guest cham.
ber
On the threshold she detected an
unmistakable odor of tobacco. She
opened the door and stood transfixed
There sat old Mr. Worthington in
his shabby dressing gown, lounging in
the armchair, smoking his pipe, his
slippered feet on the fender.
Newspapers were scattered about
and he had been lying on the lounge
as the disordered pillows made evil
dent.
We'll, really, Mr.. Worthington!'
said Mrs. Wilton, her eyes flashing
she knew him to be capable of any.
must say that this is I'm.
She was always ladylike.
He turned and glanced at her calm.
ly over his shoulder, and did not stir.
"sit down, Arabella," he said at
length, "and don's excite yourself.
Arabella indeed! Addressing her
by her Christion name! He had never
been quite SO impertinent as this.
She walked across the room and
stood beside him, painting with indig.
nation.
I've right here" he said with I'M.
usual mildness. I'm the man you've
fixed up this room for, and Susan will
not find me at the station. I've been
In your house some time, as you'll al
Iow."
Mrs. Wilton did not in the leas,
what he was saying; she
was SO dazed that she could not
speak.
This has been done before ho
vent on, I've read about it. wanted
% make certain as to who and what |
you all were before entering into an
that : might regret. Sit
Town, do" And thus urged, she
dropped Imply into q chair beside
him. The truth at last dawned upon
Ter, but she could only look at him in
silence.
you've been really kind and ma.
.ient--and I've tried you purposely
like you, Arabella-and Susan. She |
nay have this house, if you agree
t will be just the thing-and you and
he other girls may go back to Cali.
ornia with me, if you have no better
,lan."
Mrs. Wilton had no better plan; and
t was so arranged.
New Musical Instrument.
There is something new under the
musical instrument sun, according ia
statement in Lin~rc