St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1910-04-30

Of Avery Southern the next summer.
While he was getting rich in the city
Mildred and her mother were getting
back strength and happiness in the
country.
One morning, as Mildred in pretty
pink Bingham dress, closed the little
garden gate of her mothers cottage
a stranger crossed the road. He looked
familiar to Mildred, but she was al
ready late at the millinery store she
had opened in the village, and she
hurried away. All day over her work
she tried to remember where she had
seen him, but finally gave up.
The stranger, meantime, had en-
tered the garden she had left and lift
ed his hat to Mrs. Everly on the porch
When Mildred came home for lunch.
con she found the stranger established
as a boarder in her mothers house
1T is only for two weeks, dearie,'
apologized Mrs. Everly Poor young
man! He looks as though he needed
vacation, and you know how glad
we were to get out of the city. Be.
sides, it will be little extra for u.s.
Gearie"
"All right, Momsy," Mildred made
the best of it and tried to stop rack.
ing her brains for the time and place
she had seen him before.
The first two or three days Mr.
Smith-Avery Smith he called him.
self-was out great deal, appearing
only at meal time "He certainly does
not force his society upon U.S." com
mented Mildred on the fourth day, a
little piqued at his Indifference. Or
the fifth day when he asked to walk
with her to town she gladly &C
guessed. On the seventh day he
walked both ways. On the tenth, 1t
was four times, including lunch time.
After that he made the four trips
as regular thing and the two strolled
over the fields in the long summer
evenings. They watched the baby
moon grow big, and tie time length,
ened into nearly three weeks. Avery
Smith telegraphed for leave of alb
sence and got it, he said. But the day
came when he must leave.
Mildred had spoiled two hats that
day and at last had given up. He was
to call for her early and take her
home Then he would leave on the
evening train. She had put on her
best white dress and her eyes wore a
wonderful expression as she watched
for the familiar figure swinging down
the street. She looked very beautiful
Four, five o'clock came without him
At half past five she locked the door
and walked slowly home. He must
have been delayed in the village and
would overtake her. But she reached
the little gate without a sign of him
Mr.. Smith had to leave early
DEAR" said Mrs. Everly He got a
telegram. He said to tell you he was
sorry and to say good-by. You are
dreadfully pale. Are you tired?'
"a little, Momsy. but II think II
is the heat
"And Mildred, l have the things all
on the table for your supper You
don't mind eating alone, do you? Its
missionary supper night at Mrs. Tip
pens. Mr.. Smith paid his board. It's
in the darning bag, in case of fire
dear. Now do rest, you look so tired
And Mrs Everly hurried away.
Mildred flung herself into the ham.
mock and lay there motionless with
out a thought of supper The tea got
cold and the salad warm and still she
lay The shadows grew longer and
the sunbeams through the great oaks
were very yellow. Then the ghost OF
a breeze sprang up, the yellow beams
faded and the fluffy clouds took on the
pink of sunset Mildred, gazing
through the branches, suddenly saw
the great red disk of the moon-their
moon!
With a cry she struggled blindly to
her feet. "Avery-oh, Avery" she
sobbed and held out her arms to tfe
empty air.
Then something wonderful hap
pened. Two strong arms closed
around her and someone drew her
head to his breast. my darling! My
little girl! You love me. Say it, for
I love you better than my life! Your
mother helped me to find out if you
would miss me- And you do, dear
you love me?"
"Yes-I love you, love you, sweet
heart" she whispered as their lips
met
And not until they were married did
she know her husband was the grea.
Southern, the millionaire.