The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1901-08-17

hat girl knows what poor sort OF man
| nc is''
Max's companion made no rcrly to
| this speech, but CHANGING to look at her,
| he saw that her cheeks had flushed and
hat her lips were tightly pressed to-
gcther.
Il beg your PARDON he said con-
lritcly. That wasn't nice of NE, was
ito try and get you to discuss the af
fairs Of the people you work for?'
The girls face relaxed. and she smiled
IS she answered: oh. it does not mat
ter. People who have money must ex-
pcct to be discussed. I suppose
A silence followed which was broken
only by the faint splashing of the foun-
tain in the hall Max was intent on his
exposures and his companion. who had
returned to her chair, appeared to be
absorbed in book.
Il wish Maisic could see this house !"
Max cried suddenly.
The girl locked up quickly. "Who
is Masie:" she asked
Max's face grew red under his fair
skin; he had spoken without stopping
TO think "Maisic is--' he began in
laundering way; she is the girl am
engaged to- he ended bravely. The
shyncss in his manner. in such contrast
to his former easy assurance, seemed
to amuse and please his companion.
so you are going to be married,
,oo?" she said, smiling at him.
mo, am not going to be married for
long while yet Max answered. rue
fully. Il only wish l were. But
there's no such luck
Doesn't she want to be married yet?'
"Yes, but we've got to wait
"Why?' The girls voice was full OF
interest.
TOO poor" Max answered, laconi-
caly 1--WE must wait till | get my sal
ary raised and save up something for a
rainy day. Can't live on love, you
know"
The girls face grew wistful. "Somc-
times | think | should like to try she
said.
Max laughed. at wouldn't work.
You can't enjoy life when you're worry
ing about money all the time. But. after
ALL" he continued, going back to his own
affairs. 1T does not really cost such a
lot to keep house, and Maisie is a first
rate manager. If | only had more saved
up. we would not be actually obliged to
wait for the raise 1t makes me mad
when | think of all the money | wasted
before knew Maisie. | tell you, 1t
takes girl like her to take the nonsense
out of fellow Now, just to show you
the kind Of girl she is he went on,
she is crazy about diamonds. SO l
made up my mind not to propose TO her
until l had saved enough to buy her .
solitaire ring. When | had fifty dollars
(you can get very fair stone for that
nowadays, you know l asked her to
marry me, and after she said Yes, we
went together to get the ring. And
what do you think that girl did? Picked
out a plain moonstonc and fatty re-
fused to have any diamond. She said
diamonds were foolish extravaganza
for people like us, and must put tine
money away toward furnishing our fat
Now, what do you think of that:' Max
looked at his companion as if cfalleng-
ing her to cite an instance of greater
llerOisln.
II think Maisie is a girl worth hav-
ing :,
well. she has made a man OF me-
declared Max. "and I'll wager that
more than the girl who lives here can do
with her prince. In fact, | don't bclicve
she'll even try. All girls are not like
Maisie'
Max's companion had risen and was
staring into the fireplace, where the
flames of the gas log leapt and curlcd.
You are right" she said all girls are M
not like Ma*ic. Eut perhaps she Will
trv," she added softly, and then went
away without waiting to say goodbye.
Max looked after her retreatlng hsure
with a perrlcxcd face. well! ne
calculated. "shc did go off in hurry.
| wonder if hurt her feelings? She
seems to be touchy on the subject OF
that wedding. 1t isn't often talk 10
anv one about Maisie. but that girl was
different somehow, from the general
run Of people | suppose that comes
from watching the swclls. If she comes
back I'm going to ask her who she IS
| wanted to before. but didn't dare. KS
funny what there is about some people;
that won't let you ask them questions:
But his companion of the morning did
not appear again.
Ar the door. as Max was going out.
oompous servant handed him an enve-
Iopc and small package. Il was desir-
cd TO give you these he said.
What ?''-began Max.
"You were not to ask any questions
sir" interrupted the man gently, as
without giving Max time to speak he
swung open the massive door. letting
in flood Of light and dim roar o.
mingled noises. a..
Bewildered. Max went out INTO inc
sunshine and down the marble steps
opcning the envelope as ne walked
There was letter inside. written on
heavy. monogramn,ed paper;
u want Maisie to have what l send
within this letter. Tell her to wear IT It
NOT because it is the gift of one who vii