St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1910-05-28
o. EOCOlOC]O]0D]OlO &
THE Neutrality-suspicious.
By STACY e. BAKER
Copyright, 1909 by Associated Literary Press.)

that followed, and at AZ she was fine
specimen of spinster.
Miss Angelina's latent bloom, ava
kened by the beauty culture clan il
little old New York, was revelation
even to themselves.
why, Miss Dobbins." enthused tina
lady's masseuse, you look POSITIVELY
girlish. Your complexion is as pinl
and white as year-old babes, anG
you have better expression, and-er-
control of language than when you frs
arrived"
Three months before this Miss An
gelina would have answered with ar
lnane shipper. Now she spoke calm
ly. Il am giving the subject Of beauty
culture conscientious study-for pur
pose. You see | have been an old
maid so long that it has palled on
me-"
BY august the lady from Hubble
town could have passed through the
streets of her native village incognito
Her cheeks were as pale and pink-tint
ed as a young girls. The angular
lines had become graceful curves. Miss
Angelina was now the pretty Miss
Dobbins
Forty years do not sit heavily on
the head of the knowing woman. 1t
occurred to the sojourner from Hub.
bletown as she gazed into her mirror
that she must have suddenly found
the secret of perpetual youth
Now" ruminated Miss Dobbins, as
she critically summed up her alluring
likeness, Il believe-1 actually be-
lieve-that I am equipped for the
fray" And thereafter New York knew
her not
1t was a dainty little woman in
weeds whom Mrs. Albert Harding in
troduced to the best society of the
thriving city of Albantown. Suscep-
tible youth and gay widowers fell vic
tins to her charms. In this group the
popular newcomer noticed apprecia-
lively one Thomas Bogart, recently
bereaved, and rather pudgy and rid;cu-
lous
There were others. Mr.. Bogarts
rat little characterless face had good
reason to furrow deep lines of worri-
ment. The dapper Albert Kahn, some
years younger, and financial magnate
OF Albantown, was rival.
But, in spite of this, the gods seemed
kind. Mrs. Case seemed to favor his
suit. and this was well, because 1t was
rumored that the sprightly widow had
money.
On an evening during which Bogart
mad been unusually favored and al
lowed to escort the widow home from
the opera, his ardor suddenly got the
better of him.
Mrs. Case" he began, when they
had arrived at the home of the wild
ow's friend. Il have something seri-
Gus to say to you"
What Is it-Thomas?" A slow flush
lighted the pale face of the fascinating
widow. Bogart's eyes rested linger-
1ngly upon her. and his heart thumped
joyously.
i-I-Mrs. Case-er-Margaret, he
burst out desperately. IL love you.
Can you not see it in my every action?
My heart is yours. Will you marry
me?"
do you really love me-Thomas?"
she asked gently.
i swear it." responded T. Bogart
convincingly.
How am to know?" insisted the
widow, coquettishly rs not some
other one waiting disconsolate, some
place, for you?"
How can you think it," reproached
Bogart.
i DON'T acknowledged the widow.
somewhat CURLY. Really, Tommy.
I'm sure there isn't. And I will marry
you. too, only-only l must 20 home
and arrange things. Then I will come
back. Will you be true""
Forever, if necessary" replied the
Jubilant T. Bogart. He attempted to
kiss her, but she repulsed him. bid
ding him wait.
And he waited.
The next day the widow left for her
home, nor did the infatuated lover re-
celve word from her. Months went
by He remembered that he did not
know where she lived He asked Mrs.
Harding. but she refused the informa-
ton, bidding him wait.
Nor did he notice. in his perturbed
state, the absence of Albert Kahn.
Finally this letter came to him:
You need wait no longer. Have de-
cided that you won't do. Go back to
the girl you left in Hubbletown. May
be she wants you l don't.
MRS. ALBERT KAHN"
What fiends some women are"
whimpered Thomas Bogart, land I
wonder how she heard of Angelina