The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1900-12-01
morning rambles or their evening ling
eripR In the MUSHROOM or library.

eyes reproached my avoidance. l i'm.
agined. and now and then his lips put
the reproach in words; but only
laughed at him.
My sister demonstrated with me, too;
and told her GROSSLY. that she need
| not mind--she had all the better chance
OF seeing Winty Mayne herself-and
for my part. would never marry any
man for the sake Of twice as fine dia-
monds as grandmother's.
Druisilla sighed.
Il know something better than dia-
monds. il only might have it," she
said, wearily. and she went out of the
rOom
One warm, moonlit evening, in mid
summer, l was walking in the garden,
and as passed the pavilion heard
voices. one of which l was sure was
Drusy's. AS l had left her half an
hour before in the music-room with
Winthrop Mayne. l wondered some.
While hesitated an instant, her voice
reached me In accents stifled with sobs.
did not distinguish what she said.
but 1t was mans tones which soothed
her. Angrily stopping my ears with
my fingers. l ran away to the house.
The piano tinkled as I entered. and,
tiptoeing along the hall. l saw Winty
Mayne before it. Without turning his
head. he called to me.
] went In doubtful.
"How did you know 1 was there?"
l asked.
Didn't you know had eyes in the
back Of my head?" he responded,
gravely. "Come. Sit here and play
this duet with me-"
4 haven't time." replied.
where is Drusilla?" Mrs. Throg-
morton's voice said. at this moment.
"She has retired. l believe" an
swered Winty Maync. carelessly. "She
said she had a headache"
Have you been here long?' asked
"Half an hour or So"
Il am very sorry" said grandmother.
but you will have to excuse Ruby.
couldn't so to sleep at all. II she did
not read to me awhile"
AS we quilted the room the princes
Lands came down upon the piano keys
with an angry clash. and at the sound
l felt Mrs. Throgmorton's eyes search
my face, sharply. did not mind, how
ever. l was wondering whom my Sis
ter was talking to in the pavilion.
1t was week after this that grand
mother sent for me to her private
apartments
She was sitting in rapt cxultation.
kept her diamonds. Their prismatic
flash. as l entered the room, almost
blinded me.
Take your farewell look. Ruby"
she cried gleefully. 'Drusilla has won
them"
/ stood rs il petrified
"Where is she?" l asked.
"They are both in the edrawing-r -room."
"Oh, grandma! grandma" l cried.
coming forward. "let me take them to
her."
Nonsense! She will have them soon
enough
'Dear grandmother" coaxed. Il
want to see how she will lock in them"
Mrs. Thrognorton smiled.
"Well, WELL she said. and she put |
he precious casket in my hands.
/ darted away to the drawing-room.
l had a glimpse of myself in the |
all pier-glass as l crossed the thick |
'arpet noiselessly. My eyes shone like |
stars; my cheeks were fevered.
Not till was nearly beside him did
perceive. in my excitement, that |
Ninty Mayne was alone.
where is Drusilla?" l exclaimed,
etting down the box.
"Drusilla has gone," said Winty
,ravely.
"Gone! Where:" asked. scared by
lis tone.
''To be married to the man Of her
hoice, which never was. Ruby, you
nd l must not let grandmother be
90 unfOrgiving."
Il don't believe you," l burst forth.
eginning to tremble.
1T is true; nevertheless. She was
ust here to tell me she was going, and
0 beg me to intercede in her favor
7ith Mrs. Throgmorton. She has not
1orc than got beyond the garden-wall
y now"
l guessed how 1t was. Mrs Throg-
horton, ever on the watch for the sue
ess Of her hopes regarding these two.
ad overheard something's she crossed
he hall, which she interpreted to mean
be fulfllment of her desires.
That was the man Drusy was talk
Is to in the pavilion. too" said to
1yself. +:
What have you got there?". Winty
and then he made me tell {
i'm why l had brought the diamonds, {
I'd, in spite Of my frightened remon-
frances, he proceeded to clasp them {
pom my neck and arms. Then he led {
lc to the pier-glass, gave me .
limpse OF myself in its still depths. l
nd whirled me away to the very pres ,
nee Of grandmother. ,
Mrs. Throgmorton' first anger was
'rrible. But the prince stood his e
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