St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1911-01-21


| first day you came into my life. But
until l could in some way be assured
that you returned my affection.
hope l am not mistaken, but If l am,
tell me the truth at once. II l am
not, | want you to marry me and sail
for Europe on June the first, de-
votedly, John Cromlin.'"
Miss Benson took the letter with
shaking fingers. But her lips were
compressed and told nothing of the
inward struggle, to John Cromlin.
His eyes were on the ceiling and his
mind running ahead for the next
letter.
Nov, take this" he said, as the
girl looked up and signified that the
other was finished.
Dear Miss Benson: am to
be absent from New York for, the
next six months, it will Of courses be
necessary to close this ofhce during
that time, and shall be compelled to
dispense with your services for the
present. However, if you care to be
governed by my counsel l know of
another place-a more agreeable one,
| hope-which l can secure for you
without any trouble. Kindly let me
have your reply as soon as possible,
so that it can be filed along with
other matters. Yours sincerely,
"John Cromlin."
Vera Benson went through with the
second letter with a feeling of iron
determination. 1t was just as she
lad apprehended; she was to be dis
charged from the Office, and her en-
ployer. always kind and gentle, was
breaking the news as carefully as he
could. Tears sprang to her eyes, but
she dashed them away with self
scorn and bit her lips hard to bring
the blood back to them.
When the two letters had been
folded and laid aside, she took up
two envelopes, and ran one into the
machine. which she addressed to
Vera Benson,
Care Cromlin & West, Attorneys
at Law,
New York City,
"Mr. West will return from the
south soon?" she asked, doing her
best to seem matter offact.
mot until we come home from Eu
rope-Mrs. Cromlin and myself"
you forgot to give me the address
for-for this other letter, Mr.. Crom-
lin." she reminded him, family. as he
seemed to be waiting for some
thing.
ooh, did," he exclaimed, in a
tone of assumed surprise. How
careless of me, to be sure. But
but"
Perhaps you didn't intend to, any
way" she supplied, stifly, as he
seemed to hesitate.
For the first time. Cromlin felt
something of uneasiness stir in his
heart. He could not understand her
GOODNESS. He had thought-he had
been. in fact, so sure that she cared
and now He rose abruptly and
went to her side. Suppose, after ALL
that there was someone else-that he
had been IA fool!
Vera" he broke out abruptly
stung to speech by his fears, what is
it? Are you-do you care for-for
some one?"
do / care for some one?" she de-
manded, frigidly.
Yes"
And may ask what right you
have to put such a question, Mr..
Cromlin?"
Il thought l had" he said slowly.
She looked up at him thoughtfully.
You have been good and generous
to me always, and don't mind admit
ting that-that do care for some
one" she replied. please forgive my
curtness Have you anything else to
dictate, Mr.. Cromlin?"
No; l am tired of debating.
awhile Are you ready to address that
letter."
In silence she took up the other ev-
velope and fed it to the machine.
Cromlin went to the back of her
chair and stood with one hand rest.
luS Ou lu0 Wy AOuuu VI H. 11C
spoke in concise, business-like
tone.
Miss Vera Benson,
"2345 West 9th Street,
New York, N. T."
A peremptory call on the tele-
phone interrupted his next move
ment When he came back, Miss
Benson sat with both hands pressed
to her scorching face.
Well" he said, have you decided
to accept the other placer
She gave him her eyes for brief
instant; they were moist and dark
and luminous.
He bent and lifted her chin in his
hands. when do you begin your die
tation?" he asked.
"At once" she replied, sternly: "go
back to your desk and take down my
answer to your letter"