The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1897-12-04

CkSMRgJaSE*S Shelby. The
AsA8 Dx&sSN " first and
}A@- M.k1cAAH )A foremost rea'
HN. Tl.G%NA son for this
CO ~ &N) aversion was
NV that Mr..
Shelby had presumed to pay marked
attentions to his daughter Eleanor.
The second was that Mr.. Shelby was
simply bank clerk on q small salary.
Prejudiced people might have been
ungenerous enough to observe that the
second objection bore the most weight
with the Reverend Masters; but such
persons have never known the anxiety
Of parent with a manageable daugh-
ter. How then can they be expected
to Judge intelligently on such an i'm
portant question?
"You are quite right, Bronson, "
said his sister-inlaw. "What do you
know about Mr.. Shelby? You remem-
Der the acquaintance was begun in an
irregular way-a very irregular way. "
There was no denying it did begin
in an irregular way. The Merchants
and Traders Bank was next door to the
residence Of the Reverend Bronson
Masters; and Mr.. Jack Shelby, an in
dustrious, energetic young clerk, with
his ledger quite near the front win
dow, had allowed his eyes to feast fire.
quently on the graceful figure and
pretty face Of Miss Eleanor Masters as
she fitted in and out Of her father 8
house.
Strange to say, Miss Mast6fs had
also occasionally allowed her glance to
stray toward the front window Of the
bank. Not that any one could posi-
lively state under oath that she had
seen the rather high-bred face of a
brown-eyed bank clerk in that same
window; certainly not. But one day
she slipped and fell on the icy pave.
ment in front Of the bank just as Shell
by was coming out; and he helped he1
into the house, and was asked to call,
and did call.
Another strange thing was that
neither of them seemed to regret the
accident, as it would seem natural they
should.
Shelby, the third time he called,
rather damaged his prospects by get
ting into a discussion with the Rover.
end Bronson Masters in which he mani.
tested tendency to- spiritualism, thee.
sophy and other occult and unortho'
dox beliefs. This bad impression was
otherwise augmented by the disco7.
cry that he had no fortune, not even
expectations, and was dependent oh
bis salary for a living.
The growing affection of the young
people for each other was noticed by
Mr.. Masters, and he Immediately con.
suited with his sister-in -law, having nc
one else with whom to consult, and as
has been seen, she quite agreed with
him that such affection should be i'm.
mediately nipped in the bud.
Accordingly Mr.. Shelby was given
to understand that Miss Masters was
no longer at home to him. But Shell
by's ledger was still near the front
window, and Miss Masters had no
mode Of egress or ingress except by
the front door Of her residence, SO
Love still preserved his old reputa-
ton in regard to locksmiths, and
laughed after the good old fashion.
About this time tue Reverend Bron-
son Masters met fascinating widow,
Mrs. Horton Verlance, who had lately
become member ofhis congregation.
Mr.. Masters intimated to Eleanor
that he would like her to ask Mrs.
Verlance to call. Like dutifu1
daughter she obeyed, and Mrs. Yer
lance promptly accepted the invita-.
ton.
She came often, and dined and
lunched with them, much to the
pleasure of the host, but secretly to
the annoyance Of his daughter.
"Mrs. Verlance never seems to me
genuine" she ventured to say one
day to her father.
Eleanor, I am surprised at such
an uncharitable, unchristianlike re-
mark from you," was the stern re.
ply.
She saw that her father was deeply
annoyed, and dared not say more; but
when he closed the door after him,
her feelings found audible vent.
ooh, it's oil right for you to send
away poor Jack because I like HIM, y
she cried, "and here you are falling
in love with q mysterious woman
whom nobody knows, and who Tn
sure is a schemer. Oh, I wish I were
your father, for just one hour
Wouldn't I turn her out flying
Wouldn't II"
And she walked the floor in hel
helpless rage.
Shortly after this Mr.. Masters an
nounced to his daughter that he
would spend his vacation in Europe
81 have decided to take you with
me-" he added.