The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1900-10-13
RER JEWELS.
Ey PAULINE MONTAGUE.

contented face that was turned towal
the toilet, lying like snOwdri:t zero
the lounge, so beautiful, so tasteful
was, and so certain to be wondrous
becoming to the fair. dainty little lad
who stood looking at it, her blue eyt
frowning, her red lips j little pouty.
Mrs. Clifford touched the thick. shil
Inc satin waist caresslngly, and locke
up at Jennie.
"Don't you like It, dear? l can't Sc
where there is room for the slightes
Improvement. The skirt Is elegan
and the waist is exquisite"
Jennie laughed at her mothers ev
dent distress lest she was not perfec,
ly satisfied.
ut Is perfectly lovely, mamma!
she replied. There can be no doubt o
that. and l am quite sure l shall lool
nicely in it, and am also quite sur
Phil will admire it. Only"
And the little d!scontented loOl
came back into the pretty blue eye
that Phil Courtenay swore by. ant
that had played sad havoc with hi
heart, until he had conquered thei
owner.
Mrs. Clifford looked inquiringly.
"Only what. Jennie!"
Then the secret dissatisfaction came
out, in a burst of emphatic earnest
ness:
III I didn't have to wear flowers
mamma, with it! Oh, l am so sick OF
Howers-fowers, always flowers, for
ornamcnts-and l am just dying for
icwcls-a diamond cross and ear
rings"
And accompanying the words was a
defiant little nod of the head. and q
compression Of the red lips.
Mrs. Clifford gave an exclamation of
startled establishment.
Jennie! A diamond cross and ear
rings! The idea! Why don't you wish
for a queens crown or an angels
wing, and be done with 1t? a diamond
cross and rings! Child. how silly to
waste even a thought, wish. much
less q word OH such an utter, absolute
imp0ssibilitv" -.-..
Instead of being hushed by Mrs.
Cliffcrd's positive determination. Jen.
ME only smiled, with little more Of
defiance in her blue eyes.
but I do wish for them. all the
same. mamma; and 1 think l ought to
have them. too. And so does Phil, and
he has as good as told his rich old
granduncle to give me Just such
present. He's horribly stingy. old Mr..
Bemerton is, and If wait until he
gives them to me-"
The wilful little beauty crested Eer
head and shrugged her shoulders ve:y
becomingly.
But, dear. cannot see what that,
or anything else. can have to do with
your insane desire. Wait until NJ:
Bemerton sees fit to present you with
some handsome jewels: and. mean
While. you will look just as sweet as
ever in fresh. lovely flowers"
Mrs. Clifford had caressing, gentle
way Of speech, that was the very es-
scnce Of motherliness.
But mamma. you see, will have
the diamonds. or else won't 70 TO the
ball."
Her mother sighed over the sweet,
wilful girl.
And.' Jennie went on, in a decisive
sort OF way her mother knew would |
&c &c OF no avail attempting to prevent,
: can easy enough have them, man.
W.. Ill hire them for the occasion"
lnc girls audacious suggestion fair
|v took Mrs. ClifIord's breath for the
minute.
Jennie! Hire them! Child, what
|.oiiy you are talking! Wear hired
|ewels-hi'cd finery! Jennie, surely
you are not in earnest. when you pro
|pose such an unwo;nanly. such a per-
Pectly disgracefrl thing"
'ennlc's eyes sparkled, as she lis
ened, :mpaticnt!y.
mamma. what nonsense! Better
FoF'c Than we 90 such things, and I
W. sure 1t can lie no worse than hir-
W masquerade suits. and everybody
s that. or imposing upon people
ln nlred wedding presents, as cousin
Amy didr
"nat ycur au:t Olive does is often
81! dinrrcnt from what I would do.
ss.aes' Jennie. you know Philip
Co"M be indignant. You know he
vua ievc: tolerate such q thing"
sennies chicks flushed.
VIII tell him, * he says a word,
s. IL is because his cross, miserly
uncle refuses to give mo any, and
c" L'.' not be anybody at the ball
!" no ornaments. Mamma. lin just
As 10 have them. and that's MI
eIe IS about It! And I'll look SO per-
~! fascinating that even you will
eve me. you dear little over-con-
'.''''ous mother you! Now let me
.oh. mamma, for l assure you I
~ SUR one step till you do, SO I'll ]
~" you aren't mad with me-"
a''' for all the mother-heart was
az the girls hcallstron. wiiful.