St. Tammany farmer., 1921-11-26
.51S1515257515251575251S
Leslie Solves
a Problem
By MARVIN ST. JOHNS.
575757575257525757525757575757S2

George" said Leslie, you have
heard me speak about my friend
Eunice Vane? have Just had q let
ter from her; she Is coming to pay
me visit for couple of days, with
her two children, while her husband is
away In New York. haven't seen
her for nearly six years. You know
we were at college together"
'eThen guess I'll have to spruce up
tomorrow night" answered Leslle's
f1ance, as he rose to take his leave
Of her. He kissed her and put on his
hat. AS he went down the steps Les
lie looked after him with q vague dis
eatifaction which she could not quite
analyze.
Lucky Eunlcel" she soliloquized, a
little bitterly. "Here we are. both
verging on thirty, and both engaged
In the same month. And you have
a rich husband and two babies, while
r" She shrugged her shoulders and
went back into the parlor.
George and Leslie had been engaged
for nearly six years. She was q
school teacher and George lawyer
in the same town. But Leslie earned
more than George and he would not
marry her-nor did she desire it.
until he was earning enough to sup
port her at home.
Happy Eunice!" sighed Leslie
And then she began to understand
why she was miserable that evening.
It was not altogether envy OF her
friend. The fact was-she felt that
George and she were drifting apart.
Leslie spent a miserable night. In
the morning Eunice arrived with the
children.
Leslie was astonished at Eunice's
appearance. She had always thought
Of her as the young, immature rather
sedate young girl with whom she had
roomed at college. Instead Of which
she saw before her a matronly young
woman, calm, self possessed, with two
| children, boy and girl, who made
Leslie's heart ache as she kissed
them.
It was not until after Georges
visit that evening that Hunica seemed
| to thaw.
$50 that is George" she said. Then
she took Leslie by the hand. "My
dear. how long have you been en-
gaged?" she asked.
@Five years" said Leslie, rather
frigidly.
Leslie, do you know that you could
have been married for five years and
had that much more happinessf'
asked Eunice.
Leslie began to explain the cir
cumstances, the long series Of misfor-
tunes.
my DEAR" she answered, II know
that you have made great mistake
| should say the great mistake"
"Why7' asked Leslie. 'Do you be-
| lieve In marrying before one is In q
position to do so7 II George had had
your husbands advantages
"When Philip and I got married"
answered Eunice, The had just $50 In
the world. And we spent that on our
honeymoon. The first three years
were continuous struggle. Philip al
ways says that IL he hadn't had me he
would never have reached the position
he holds today.
IF we had waited, as you have wait
ed-where would we ba now7 Dear
Leslie, do you think marriage Is a
thing that should come after one has
made ones way In the world2 Philip
says that 1t is part Of life, not the re-
ward Of life."
Leslie hardly slept that night And
on the next day, after Euniee had
| gone, she was too Ill to go to school.
She knew now that It was not like
" that George and she would ever
marry.
A ring at the bell-G Georges ringl.
He never called at four In the after.
noon.
George followed her into the parlor
and sat down heavily. His face was
unshayen, his tie sagged from his col
lar; he looked thoroughly detected
Leslie" be said. II have come to
| offer you your freedom. can never
marry you"
'.The bank has failed,s he continued,
in a rnonotonous voice. "Every penny
Is gone, am at the bottom Of the
ladder again. It will mean three years
longer. Leslie, can't hold you. Les.
lei Why, what are you laughing
about7s
She laughed, and the tears in her
eyes were those Of happiness.
my DEAR" she said, 'how would
you like to marry me without the
house and the furniture and the new
trunks and the outfit and the trous-
seau7 Do you want me, dear, Or do
you want theser
He leaped up and caught her hands
incredulously.
"Do you mean that Les1ieY' he
cried. "Why, have never dared to
make that suggestion. Do you-Will
you7 TodayY' !.
Tomorrow" answered Leslie, smil-
Ing, and then q flood Of happy tears
blinded her eyes.
i Helpful Oklahoma Frogs
/ Frogs assisted federal and county Of
flcers to locate a moonshine still on
Bushy mountain, near here. The,
officers were hunting little lake, be-I
q