The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1900-06-02

LII must, or course, explain, an(
humbly apologize for my despicabl,
conduct.'
His worship then proceeded, will
abrupt and jerky sentences, quite de
Void of their usual flowery trimmings
to explain his presence in her room.
Greatly to his relief, she did not
look very angry when he had finished
She said nothing at first, but open.
ing the fatal drawer. produced some.
where from its depths two more photo
graphs, which she put into his hands,
saying:
You see, / have photographs of
other members Of the family as we'll"
Mr.. Mansfield gazed at them in as
tonishment They were pictures of
his wife and son.
"Why, who gave you these, Miss An
SOM"
Jack" she replied simply, with
lowered eyelids and pretty flush on
I her face.
Jack" he cried. "My SOM"
Yes she whispered.
But II don't understand. 1 was
not aware that you had ever met him!
He is in South Africa"
1T was for my sake he went there"
she replied softly.
There was silence for few minutes.
Then you are the young-er-lad
whom my son wished to marry in op-
position to my wishes?" said Mr..
Mansfield severely.
Yes" she murmured.
Mr.. Mansfield thought deeply for the
next few minutes. After all, he liked
Miss Ansom immensely; and If he still
proved obstinate, she would. of course
leave the house, and perhaps this
mornings ridiculous adventure might
be mentioned, and-yes, he would be
merciful.
Well Miss Ansom, I need hardly
say that your story has astonished me
beyond measure. But l will not dis
guise from you the fact that during
the time you have been with lis you
have won my highest esteem, and, in
fact. l regard you with feelings of
paternal affection. We must write to
that young scamp and have him home.
Meanwhile-'
With cry Of joy Miss Ansom flung
her arms around his neck and i'm
printed kiss on his nose.
At that moment the door opened. and
Mrs. Mansfield stood on the threshold,
with hands uplifted in horror. She
could not have timed her entrance
with greater precision had she been
waiting, with eye at the keyhole
John. Miss Ansom" she gasped.
Mr.. Mansfield looked frightened.
my dear" he cried nervously. Il
am going to write and tell Jack to
come home. She is, in fact, the young
lady about whom we had that foolish
quarrel
1t took Mr.. Mansfield quite a quar-
ter of an hour to make his wife under
stand clearly the facts of the case.
But when she did understand she
burst into tears and rapturously en-
braced Miss Ansom, assuring her of
her undying affection.
Mr.. Mansfield at length managed to
slip away, congratnlating himself on
The success with which he had extri |
'ated himself from an unpleasant posi- |
ion. After all. he was glad of an ex-
:use to welcome his boy home again.
But perhaps il he had heard what |
passed between his wife and future |
when they heard the |
lall door close behind him he would |
Alve realized that they had scored on
Iii, points.
''Hear, darling Mrs. Mansfieldv' cried
fiss\ Ansom, embracing Mrs. Mans
ield afresh. How good of you to
AVE me here as your companion, and
hen to devise this clever plot! Why,
was quite drama!'
I'm which you played your part very
veil. my dear!' replied the old lady,
attinS the girls cheek affectionately.