The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-09-26

Mary. dear me, JOnuI DlSnt III
we'll invent thing myself, and have
done with it, if you can't tell me
straight off.
''I'll tell you !" said John, with the
air of man determined to make the
plange. "Only-Mery-promise me
one thing. Don't laugh at my story"
"Can't I laugh if it is funny" re-
joined Mary.
"It isn't" said john. "Well, not
exactly. Erin fact. I don't know
how twill strike you. Imeant, don't
laugh at my clumsy way of telling it.
s'Of course not" replied Mary
kindly. "And I'm sure I'm very much
obliged to you, John, for taking all
this trouble"
"Well," began John, s'this girl
THE girl am thinking of you know
lived ct home with her mother and
sister. The father had died some
years before, leaving just enough
money to supply their bare wants, but
no more"
81 quite understand, said Mary, in
tone which had good deal of "fei.
low feeling" in it.
$50, of course" went on John, "life
was more or less of struggle with
them. But, happily. one of the girls
this special girl began to talk
nbout-developed quite talent for
for"
"For what?" said Mary rather
sharply.
"For painting" returned John
quickly. "She used to paint quite
lovely little things, and sell them to
the shops."
eyes" said Mary. ''But when does
the romance begin, John?"
81 am coming to that" replied
John. "Give me time, Mary"
ooh, of course" said Mary amiably.
So after brief pause, John went on
again:
"Years before, when these girls
we're quite little, their father had
shown q great kindness to an almost
friendless boy"
| Mary started, and faint color crept
into her cheeks; but John took nc
heed and his voice became firmer and
| clearer.
ssTo the action of that good mar
the boy owed whatever success came
to him in after life. He never forgoi
this, and he often wondered how ht
could best repay the debt he owed"
John paused, but Mary did no
speak.
"And as time went on he found thu
debt increased rather than diminished
For though his first benefactor hat
passed away, he had left kindly heart
behind him. And as the boy grew
into manhood he priced more the vel
come he ever received from those goot
women, and felt that in the who'll
worla there was no spot SO dear to hin
as the one they called home"
| Again John paused, but Mary mad
no effort to break the silence.
"He loved them all, said John
"but''-here a new tenderness orep
into his voice-'she learned OF las
that for one of them he had the Low
which q man only gives to one woma
in the world. She was not, / think
quite understood by her mother an
sisters, much as they cared for he1
She had talent which she was gla
to turn to useful account, but th
others hardly realized that the tas
which was generally pleasure, NIGH
at times become very hard and wear
some. They thought it was play fo
her to sit down and--paint. So som'
times her heart failed her little"
Mary's face was very white now, br
the color rushed suddenly back int
it as John gently took her hand int
his own.
"rhis young man loved her, Mar
, loved her more dearly than ! ca
quits tell you. But he waited Ion
time before be dared to speak to he
,, He knew how much depended upc
her in the home, and he felt he had .
|, right to take her away until his pos
: tion would enable him to offer con
fort to her and to those Gear to he.
It often seemed q weary while, and b
heart often ached. But the time can
at last. The time when he felt he vi
free to speak"
He paused. and for few minut
there was between them deep 81
ence. Then his hand clasped he
more fervently, and he said. 'Mary
As if irresistibly compelled, 81
looked into his eyes. And in tn
moment full knowledge of what 81
had never before even guessed swe
. over her. She knew the sweetest
s oil earthly things-that she loved al
was beloved.
/; "You were quite right. dearest
q said John a while later. 'The d
Q ficulty lies in making a start. Ever
{ thing comes quite easily afterward
"The story is very hackneyed
|, whispered Mary. "But. oh, john
Il with a half mischievoue, Who'll
: tender look-''isn't it wonderful ht
ANYTHING so old can be so intere
d Household Words.