The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1901-03-02
BECAUSE.


You are too provoking for any
thing, Jennie Norton. The very idea OF
your giving UP Mrs. Prestons recep
ton for an old tiresome prayer meet
ing. Why. you can 60 to meeting
every week. but it isn't very often one
has the streak Of glod luck to be in
vitcd to brilliant reception
Il don't blame you. Alice. for be
ing surprised at TIE turn of affairs
1t seems tLat Mi'.s Rice had to 60
away suddenly ari was unable TO en-
gage substitutes to play at the Fri
day PRAYER meeting. Mr. Allen asked
me as a last resort. and after q great
deal of teasing | consented to give
up the reception for a plague old pray
er meeting. Now. Allie. dear. if you
tease me any more about it Ill give
in the very last minute and disappoint
the Rev. Sydney Allen. And you'll
admit that wculd be rather hard on
nev mini2ter.
II suppose all the girls will think
I've tuned coGdy goody when they
hear Of it. but it's no such thing.
never felt SO rebclliOus and wicked In
all my life as | did yesterday. when
promised to play on Friday evening.
Il don't think l would have given
in. If grandpa hadn't come in and said
to Mr.: Allen. 'Cf course Jennie will
gladly accommodate you l knew
then it would be useless to refuse,
SO said yes in my snappiest tone.
What can't be cured must be endured.
do hope that you will have lovely
time at Mrs. Presten's. and when you
are enjoying yourself do not forget
poor little me listening to hallelujahs
and loud amens."
It was Friday night. and the YES
try of the Methodist church on Shir-
ley avenue was pretty we'll filled with
worshippers. They were just singing
How Firm a Foundation" when a
finely built young man entered the
room and took seat in the rear. His
magnificent baritone Joined IN the
hymn. Somehow it must have reached
the ear of the player, for she glanced
up quickly. AS if by magic eye met
eye. A clashing discord made Jennie
Norton realize that she mus attend
strictly to business. SO with height
ened color and somewhat unsteady
fingers the hymn was finished.
At the close of the meetirir Jennie
Norton chatted with several. but
kept out Of the way Of Mr.. Gordon.
She spent fully five minutes talking
Pleasantly with the pastor. Gerald |
could harly keep his patience under
control as he noticed the ;ook of |
honest admiration in the eyes of Mr.. |
Allen.
\ Old Deacon Norton war much
amused at the actions Of tkc young
people He well knew that his grand
daughter Jennie was simply using her
coquetry on the young minister to
arouse Gerald Gordon's jealousy.
Two years ago young Gordon had
proposed to Jennie. but just for the
Iun OF 1t. as she sfterward told her
most intimate friends. she gave him
no. for an answer.
Love is blind" or else the young
man would certainly have seen the
ioVe In Jennie's sparkling eyes. Men
70 love viii always have the sad les
son TO learn that, as rule, woman's
no. means Eyes" Swallowing his
disappointment as best he could. Mr..
gofcon went abroad. and for two
years Jennie had heard from him only
through his sister Alice.
Poor Jennie often regretted her
ioohshness, but was too stubborn to
let Gerald know. On the day of the
reception the Gordon family were sur
p.iseo at the arrival Of Gerald. At the
einner table Alice was telling the
.amily how poor Jennie was obliged
% give up the reception. The result
vas That Gerald found his way to the
~ayef meeting that night.
"o wonder the young man could
uardN restrain himself when he no.
ucel1Acw Jennie avoided him and yet
EaVsaed her smiles and honeyed
sorte "a others.
Gefaid. my boy. where have you
ecu keeping yourself all this time?
sln glad to see you in Boston again.
= nas been very lonesome at the /
,0ase since you went to Europe.
..ahie hasn't seemed like the same
s"b and | almost think that you
1anaged TO take the sunshine with !
w. l an sure l don't know what's /
h. ,epins the naughty puss tonight. She !
|. usually only too anxious to get
."as from the meeting, but this even .
.., ,As she is bold enough to tiirt even :
-. ~ the new parson. Young man, ;
au better put in an oar. or some :
~, else viii win the prize I'm going. !
Su IeNniA tlat | .