The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1900-09-22
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this afternoon" he chuckled to himself
under the genial influence Of good
cigar. "Anna's cute, and it'd suit her t
q L IL I'd marry her friend. Nice
pleasant, pretty girl enough, and all
that sort OF thing, and | dare say the
little thing herself has had her eyes
on me; but flatter myself dropped
neat, little hint rs TO ny view III
the case
While Mrs. Estey, amid her pile OF
darning. wondered what could possess
her brother, who, with his wealth and
position, and leisure. was so admirably
adapted to take good care of 4 wife,
and just such a wife as pretty little
Rose Castellaine would make.
A fortnight later, instead OF blue
skies and balmy breezes, were several
days Of easterly winds and driving
rain: and instead Of Mr.. John Granger.
smiling. Independent, an in the full
flush Of health and strength. was that
same gentleman cross. irritable. to such
degree that little Mrs. Estpy cried
every day about it-and a prisoner on
the sitting room sofa, with Spralned
ankle and 4 broken arm, the result Of
an accident several days or SO before.
II never. never shall have the pa
tience to nurse him through It, sobb"d
his sister "IIe's-oh. awful disagree
able, and declares ! do everything in
my power to make him uncomfortable.
He says l invariably knock the sofa
every time l come into the room. and
that l haven't the least talent for
dressing his ankle, and he's-he's just
as cross as ever he can be; and what
ever l shall do l don't know, for he
won't allow hired nurse to bother
him. he says: and what with the chill
dren, and all the sewing and never get
ting a word of kindness from him
And she broke down, in burst Of
SObS.
Il wouldn't cry" said Rose. cheerily.
"There's no man living worth crying
for. Just you go on with your sewing
and your ordinary duties. and kave
your bear of brother TO me to be
I'll take care Of him. and he
shan't make me cry either
And that very hour, Rose Castellaine
went up to her own room to make
few preparations.
"To-be-surc, l intended bringing my
visit to close this very week. she
said. meditatively. taking down a soft
gray wrapper from the wardrobe; "but
Id rather stay little longer than
not" and her cheeks flushed, and
happy light shone in her eyes.
Then she laughed softly to herself as
She entered the door Of Mr. Granger's
'prison-cell,' as he called it, in his pee
wish welcome.
II will do first rate for your TALLER"
she retorted. gaily. Rest assured you
will have to be very docle and obedl
ant."
1t did not take many hours to CON
vince Mr.. Granger that Rose was
born nurse. She moved so quietly and
50 intelligently. never startling him by
l sudden motion into nervous horror
est she should hurt his sensitive ankle,
)r crash against his arm.
She stepped lightly. She knew by a
sort Of intuition when be wanted 4
'ooling drink, and when 1t was agree
,ble to him to have the room darkened
or his little. refreshing nap. She was
.heerful, little imperious. very
and certainly as pretty and
graceful as could be desired
She read to him, and read we'll She
opened the doors leading into the music
'oom, and played and sang for him,
lis eyes and enjoyed it. She played
.hequers with him, and-beat him, she
,rdered. and frequently made, such
delicious little meals for him that he
,egan to look upon her as an inspira
ion, and to quite reconcile himself to
he prospect Of ut least a month OF
uch attendance.
You're the most sensible little wo-
nan l ever saw" he said, toward the
nd of the first week, and he reached
nut his available arm and touched her
lead caressingly, as she sat beside him,
lolding the tray Of food for him.
She smiled, and flushed, and dexter
usly removed her head from beneath
lis hand.
DO you really think so? That's good,
ir. Granger; just see if this pine
pple is sugared enough, please
When Rose had left the room with
be tray, after dinner, Mr.. Granger lay
q an unusually gentle, meditatve
mood, and thinking Of her, too.
Il never imagined there was such a
Inference in womankind," he mustu.
This girl is the concentration Of all
hat is womanly and lovely, and the
elbow would be n brute who wouldn't
'e happy in her society. II she can
make a miserable sufferer feel content
d and comfortable, she would certain
V make strong. well man more than
appy. l wonder why she don't come
,ack? 1t isn't like her to neglect me
n lonr''