The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1893-09-16
TWO SISTERS.
How OBS Was Misjudged by An
Who Knew Her.


Who Knew Her.
Frank tombstone was an ardent lover. |
he showed it in his face, his manner |
md his actions. 1t was his first; that
may, perhaps, have been In a measure |
responsible for the kecnness of his |
passion. But Sarah Bennett was girl |
to be loved. She was sweet. affection |
ate, sensible; she had her full share OF
good qualities. The two had met at
the literary club, and it was case of
mutual attachment from that moment.
They had been acquainted month
now. and Franks visits to the house
of his sweetheart became more fire.
quent. One evening he presented him
self, In accordance with previous
agreement. and while Sarah was up
stairs putting the finishing touches to
her toilet Frank sat in the parlor and
talked to her sister Matilda This latter
parsonage was two years older than
his beloved-tall, thin and angular. She
was dark, with an imperturbablc pla-
cidity of manner that nothing could
ruffie. Her movements were distract
ingly slow. and she wore spectacles;
not small, dainty things, with gold
bridge and long sillScn cord, but big
steel-bowed goggles, the wires OF which
stretched clear back behind her ears
Nothing phased her; 1t is said she was
mixed up in railroad smashup once.
The,only ono Of fifty uninjured, she WAS
found at the bottom of q ravine, muddy
1,rx< <o,l ice berg.
Frank had met her two or three times
before, but the meetings were short,
and he had formed fugitive impress
sion of her. But now he had chance
TO see something more of her and to
hear her talk. She spoke with dclib-
crate slowness. but her enunciation
was clear as the sound of a either. 1t
soon became evident that every SEN
tence which passed her lips was care
fully weighed ana shaded before given
utterance. She answered yes and nc
only to the simplcst intcrrogatorics'
She was cynical. sarcastic, searching
and her sphynx-like ccuntcnance effec
tually hid any emotion that found oirtf
in her thoughts.
The two sat for perhaps five minutes
without a word being spoken by either
The silence became oppressive.
81 shouldn't wonder If we had rail-
before morning." said Frank, to oreai
the noiselcss monotony.
Think SOP"
he knew she had spoken, but, though
he was staring right at her, he had no
seen the motion of her lips.
YES he continued, 1.-THE clouds ha
a heavy appearance as day left US ant
were massed in the western sky. BE
sides, the weather bureau predicts NOR
rain"
'.And you argue from all this that "
are going to have rain must have rair
TO be exact?" A quizzical expressio
stole over the stony couutenance
Poor Frank! BY the most innocer
remark he had laid his neck on tn
keen edge of this young woman
satire. He squirmed in his scat. he fe
stupid, uncomfortable Would Sara
never come?
Ten minutes more passed and aga
the unbroken silence became oppre
sive. :,
"Have you lived long in Detroit, NJ
Johnstone?
For n second only her face took on
exnression of interest; its object w
beyond question to induce an answ
from the visitor.
Frank was her equal in age, but
was the babbling brock, she the de-
pool. $500 ~
she should have so altered her manner
his favor. Il came from Wisconsl
and this Is the first city have ev
lived in. y
..Ah, then you are from the cou
try?" There was world OF mcani
In this remark. In it was conveyed
avalanche of the disdain she felt
ward anything and anybody not us
by lifelong residence to city forms
He had sense enough to perceive II
even though his lack of divination :
led him into the trap.
He was vexed, but he was too mi
NJ gentleman to show it. He Q
tented himself with sitting sun
gazing idly at the carpet. A footl
on the stairs aroused him, ana
Strengthened up, then arose with a.
ritv 70 greet the girl for whom he
readv to make great sacrifices
smile and the warmth OF her ma
clasp were reward enough for the
comfort he had undergone
The opera was good one, ana
two returned home with the pleas
melodies ringing in their ears.
when his head rested on It's pillow
home and the doings Of the day pas
N review before his mental inspect'
the vivid impression formed OF :
Matilda intruded itself before all
sarah. he knew. stood in awe, ain
dread. Of her; in conversation n
mentioned her name; in her press
was abashed. constrained. Her q
br-snectaclcd face seemed TO
through the gloom into his, and act
" frightened him. Why" ne p
himself, ..are such people placed
Invitations were issued for an E
tho marty at the Bennett home. II
tombstone read the address on his
velope and instinctively inferred VIII
it came.
~ course he went to the party
80. : hnppy gathering OF young