The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1900-09-08

heartily. Her face, when she re-
entered the room, was gravity itself
Ruth tried to find out some of Tncl
loms tastes, but May avoided th,
subject. and Ruth finally decided t,
trust to luck to show Ler what to sa,
and do.
little past 6 there was a commo
ton outside, and from the station cot
Uncle Tom descended. He was wei
coined at the door by Mays mother
and May excused herself To pran,
hlm. saying: Oh, Ruth, he IS the hand.
soonest, dearest man."
III glad to see you, Tom. and
nave friend here to meet YOU"
| Inc friendT was the lauchinp
question.
The only" was the reply. Il pre-
dlct you'll say so too"
Tea was called in few miputos
ana SO Ruth did not meet Uncle Tom
I'LL they entered the dninc-room
lhen before she had become accus-
toned to the lights or could think what
she would say Mays voice said in y
sort Of trembling Quaver: Ruth this
IS my uncle. Mr.. Gordon, Uncle Tom
you know"
Ruth looked. A young man not
over 20 stood before her with RIGHT
hand extended. He had the brightest
or laughing blue eyes, and his hair Of
Drown was so curly that MAY was
always threatening to buy him sido
combs to keep it in place He was.
TO say the least, somewhat astonisbed
az the demeanor Of Mays friend, for
she suddenly collapsed into a chair
ana laughed. and laughed, until tears
ran down her face and May was fear
fui of an attack Of Mysteries. Tom
turned to May, rs anything the mat
ter with me? Is my necktie straight?"
he asked anxiously.
What is the matter, Ruth?" and
Mrs. Gleason brought the camphor
while Mr.. Gleason stood wondering
what allied the girl, but then there
was no accounting for girls, they are
always surprising
Ruth suddenly recovered herself at
sight of the camphor, rose to her feet
and said, II do hope you will forgive
of you-But lit was so funny
Il had no time to recall my senses
oh, May you did it purpose. You
see l expected to see an old man of |
80 at least, who would be interested in |
work-ha, ha. isn't it too
funny? l can't get over it,
Il might wear white wig if you'd |
ike to have me took older" said Tom
shortly"
"Now, Tom, l mean Uncle Tom"
began May.
Come now, drop that"
"Well. she said it was irrevercnt to
all you just Tom, and it would hurt
our feelings. and l promised to re-
orm, and I'm going to- but she was
aughing as she said it.
Il don't believe l can ever forgive
ou, May" said Ruth.
"Oh, yes, you will. It's April fool,
ou know. and didn't l fool you most
A jOllier party never sat ut the
;leason table than the one that night,
Or every now and then May would
ny. "Tom. mean Uncle Tom," or
nth would suddenly have a laughing
in her handkerchief.
II don't quite understand it yet"
"Oh. Tom. mean Uncle Tom is
lanna's half brother. and there is
) years difference in their ages"
Tom Gordon deferred his trip west,
I'd when he went he took Ruth.
"Dear Aunt Ruth" whispered May
she kissed the b.ide. Don't you
-er dare" was the reply. whereupon
ay declared it sounded so dis
and she didn't want to
lrt her feelings. :but if you insist l
,u'll forgive me if | sometimes for !
t to put on the title
'I'll forgive you on condition that I
III always forget it."-Chicago Times t