The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1900-09-22
DESERVED.
By BELL BLOSSOM.

Pretty little Rose CaSfellaine sat at
the window, making some tritie out Of
lace and ribbons, her plump, fair hands
| graceful and dexterous in their swift
motions. and her head occasionally set
to one side to watch more effectually
and critically the result Of her skill
A very pretty girl, Mr.. John Granger
had tod himself and Mrs. Es:ry, his
married sister, with whom Rose was
making her home for few months.
But Mr.. Granger did not hesitate to
freely ventilate his peculiar views on
the subject Of lcve and marriage to
Rose and Mrs. Estey, rs they sat in thu
cOzy sitting room. Rose with her trife
Of lace and robbons, and the matron
busy over pile Of juvenile stockings,
whose apertures were fearful and
hopeless to behold.
But you surely never are In serious
earnest, John?' Mrs. Estey said, with
q little shocked accent in her tones.
II never was in more serious earnest
in my life, Anna. certainly look up
on love as a-well, sort Of sickly
sentiment, that very few people Of in
telligence indulge in; whereas marriage
is decidedly one of the worst mistakes
of the times
"Oh, Mr.. Granger, that is terrible
declaration!'
And Rose flashed him a rcproachful
look from her shining, saucy eyes.
rs it terrible? can't see how or
why. Show me one happy marriage.
and I'll show you ten thousand that
are miserable failures. in which the
contracting parties feel like slaves III
the galley, and would give half their
lives never to have put their heads in
side the yoke. Granted there are some
that result differently--Anna's here,
for I'll do her justice to say | believe
her marriage was based on the only
true foundation OF esteem and friend
ship"
And love. John: Yes, you know ]
just perfectly love Philip
Mr. Granger gave little frown, and
Rose gave him one Of her characteristic
looks.
'Oh! 80 you do believe in esteem and
friendship, Mr.. Granser?"
'Oh, yes! but certainly not in love
and marriage. l have remained firm
advocate OF my views for many years,
and I think I am happier than the ma
jority Of men today. In my opinion
and he marked of his words deliberate
ly with his finger Oh the palm of his
other hand-'in my opinion, the man is
q fool who will barter his freedom and
independence for a pretty face and a
wcddingring. l never shall be guilty
Of such imbccility."
Rose flushed just little, for away
down in her heart she had more than
once thought what a fine, handsome
gentleman Mr. Granger was, and won.
dered if-if-whethcr--wel whatever
vague thoughts she had had were GER
tainly dispcllcd by that gcntlelnan's
dissertation on love and matrimony.
For one second the pearly checks
flushed then paled, and the lovely,
dusky head droopcd nearer the work
than was necessary: and then Mr..
Cleve came ina chcery, happy young
fellow, who always brought sunshine
with him, and who admired Rose Cas-
tellaine more than any girl he had ever
seen-a handsome young fellow, with
laughing blue eyes. and white teeth
that showed plcasan,ly when he laugh
ed, and heavy blonde moustache, and
close-cut, curling blonde hair.
Who'll let me take thcm for drive
in the park, this afternoon? Mrs. Es-
tey? Miss Rose? VIII YOU make one
of the quartottc, Mr.. Granger?'
1t so happened that Mrs. Estey could
not leave home, and Mr.. Granger po-
litcly declined. and the two young peo-
pie had the drive and the exquisite af-
ternoon all to themselves, while Mr..
Granger went off to lis smoking room