St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1910-07-09

will David. He's a splendid young
fellow. Don't know? Wasn't ! with
his mother the night he was born,
and haven't I watched him grow up
from baby to man? And haven't |
watched you grow up, too? And love
you both. I've tried to have you care
for each other because felt that was
as it should be. And now you've let
that little trollop Of Doris Kennedy
come between you! oh, l know what
folks say about me-that am med
ding of matchmaker" '
"Peacemaker, aunt Hope" Elsie had
laughed, TREMENDOUSLY.
We'll. then, peacemaker. hope
am. Blessed-you know what the
Bible says. But amt sure of that
unless you'll let me make peace be-
tween you and David!"
"Some day." Elsie had half prom
Used. That was year ago. Then
they had met at aunt Hopes fu-
neral and had not spoken. Afterward
David had gone back to the city to his
work and Elsie had gone hers in the
little country town. AS far as she
knew now, her romance was ended.
There was no aunt Hope to advise
and gently smooth away the difficult
ty. But, oh, the sweetness and the
bitterness Of it fingered with her like
mingled myrrh and honey. She had
loved David-she loved him still-and
must go on loving him as long as she
lived. But she had the Bennett tenn
| per. He had 1t, too, far back some
| where, couple Of generations ago, a
certain marriage had made them kin.
| She would not give up. Neither would
he. And it was all because she had
not liked his city cousin, Doris Ken
nedy, and he had! Perhaps down In
her heart Elsie had been bit jeal-
Gus of the blonde young woman who
looked as If she had been run in an
exceedingly slender mold, and had
never so much as bent her back since
AN effect obtained, 1t was said, by
means of an exacting dressmaker.
Elsie was far too natural to admire
Doris immobility, loads Of false hair
and layers of pink and white powder.
And she had told David so in a none
too pleasant way.
But her heart is all right" he had
argued, stoutly. Doris Is good girl
'Envious!" cried Elsie, scarlet
with rage. So the quarrel had be
gun.
AS she sat there now In the empty
room Elsie owned to herself sadly thai
she had been unreasonable. After all
older than he. There had been no rea
son in the world for her being Jealous
AS she had been; res, she had to ad
NIT that now.
IF only had listened to aun
Hope. If only | had let her mak'
peace as she wished"
, A crash at the back Of the hous
, startled her. A window had fallen
She sprang to her feet. Steps wer
coming toward her through the hous
, heavy steps-a mans. Now the,
, were in the kitchen-now the dinini
, room. She plunged toward the doc
that opened into the little front entry
, It was locked. She tugged at 1t fran
! tically. Heaven! To be shut in thi
house with a tramp. Still tuggins
t with futile desperation, at the unyiel6
Y ing door she looked back over he
l shoulder just as the invader appeare
4 in the parlor door-a tall young fe
low in a respectable ulster, VIII
3 looked almost as white and shaken a
: she knew she was.
r "Elsie!" he exclaimed. "Grea
1 Scott"
David" she gasped. And half fe
J. against the supporting door. The
8 stared at each other, the color slowl
r coming back to their faces.
s did you get in at the pantry viii
dow, too?" Elsie asked, when sh
g could.
|. He nodded.
n II remembered that aunt Hope wa
y always going to have it fixed an
L never did. What are you doing her
d Elsie?" He came close to her.
l. What are your"
a 81 came because had to. fe
9 as If was being called"
s David! That's just the way
d felt"
!: Their eyes sought each other
/" awe-struck, wondering. Then the
!! hands met.
It Forgive me, Elsie. l was wrong
q he faltered.
e Forgive me, David, I was wron
n too"
/. They chung together.
IS II didn't care for Doris. But 81
IS was my cousin"
:? II know. know"
1t She was in his arms now. And
re had kissed her.
David" Elsie said, from his shol
n der, solemnly, do you suppose-th
d she, aunt Hope, drew us here today
le His eyes had the look of one wi
a. has been very near the holy things.
u "Who knows?" he answered, We
II low. blessed are the peacemakers