St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1910-02-19

would be altogether too pretty were
she fittingly adorned.
Karen is awfully economical, Miss
Fry" she said. How much is my
nat! Seventeen dollars? Papa will
send you a check"
Sne took her purchase, which Miss
Fry had incased for her in paper
Dag, and went out with it, holding her
chin high. while Karen followed So
berly.
ihey parted Immediately and Karen
went home to prepare her fathers
supper. Twice she had to leave her
work to fling. herself down upon the
ola lounge and cry, but when at last
her father came home tired and hun
cry ne found the supper waiting and
Karen unusually gay to greet him
with a loving kiss. But after she was
IA ped she cried again, and morning
found her looking so big-eyed and pale
lhat ner father was alarmed
Are you sick?" he asked, anxiously,
turning from the glass where he was
taking his Sunday morning shave.
My head aches" Karen said, feebly,
II you don't mind, father. won't go
TO church this morning."
Il don't mind, but the choir will.
They need your voice to help out"
oh, there's lots they can get be-
sides me-" Karen said, trying to ease
the bitterness of the words by smiling
So her father went to church with
out her, and she remained at home
and rubbed camphor on her temples.
III give up" she thought. Fanny
will get him of course. That new hat
OF hers will just finish the business for
me-"
She prepared dinner carefully. While
her father ate it he gave her news of
the service. What nice looking girl
Fa my Reid was! She had new hat.
All the girls in the choir had new hats.
Il want you to have one, too, GEAR"
he ended. You go tomorrow and
get it."
Il don't want a new hat, father"
Karen said, stoutly. my old one will
do. 1t is as good as your coat. When
you can have new coat I'll have a
new hat, but not before"
But you are young" her father pro-
tested. land I'm old. Old things are
suited for old people. And I'm rather
fond of that coat
"Oh, you dissembler!" Karen cried,
laughingly. TREMENDOUSLY. And she
went round the table to him and kissed
him.
The afternoon dragged. A smart
rain had come on and the streets were
forsaken.
Il won't have to go to church to-
night" Karen thought, drearily. This
ram will be an excuse for my not go
ing out"
She read diligently, but her book
did not entertain her. Her father dozed
in his chair, and presently, tired from
the conflicting emotions of that and
the previous day, she, too, fell asleep.
When she awoke the rain had ceased
and the door bell was ringing. Her
father went to answer it. A Sunday
caller! Who could it be? She heard
her father take man into the parlor.
Then he came and called her.
Somebody to see you, Karen"
Wondering If the director of the
choir had taken the pains to look her
up, Karen went into the parlor. But
it was Dan Eustace who stood beside
the little center table waiting for her.
fo foI yo
Karen" he said, in his grave way.
You aren't sick, are you, that you
stayed away from rehearsal last night
and service this norning?"
He had noticed her absence, then,
Karen's face lit. Her heart leaped.
You'll go, won't your" the young
man persisted,
Il will indeed" Karen laughed.
Beside him she walked to church
that night on air. Never had the way
semed so short. At church the music
sounded heavenly. Karen, carried out
of herself, forgot her old clothes. She
was conscious only of a great new
happiness. After church
Dan walked home with her. The moon
shone. The air was fresh after the
rain. In burst of confidence Karen
told Dan the whole tragedy of the hat
told it laughingly, for it seemed
trivial now.
But don't you know" he said, when
she had finished, that a man cares
nothing for a woman's clothes so long
as the woman herself interests him?"
They fingered long at the gate and
he held her hand.
You'll let me come again. Dan
begged. Karen nodded, too happy to
sneak. "Often?"
"Often-if you wish"
II do wish. Karen" His voice was
tender. 81 never knew until this
when you were for the first
time missing how big a place you
in the choir?' Karen breathed.
mo, in my heart" Dan said, boldly.
all.
LITTLE MIXED.