The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1901-03-09
BECAUSE.


you are too provoking for any.
thing. Jennie Norton. The very idea OF
your giving up Mrs. Preston's recep.
lion for en- old tiresome prayer meet.
Ing. Why. you can go to a meeting
every week. but it isn't very often one
has the streak of good luck to be in
yited to brilliant reception"
Il don't blame you. Alice. for be
ing surprised at the turn of affairs
1t seems that Miss Rice had to 60
away suddenly and was unable to en-
gage a substitute to play at the Fri.
day prayer meeting. Mr.. Allen asked
me as last resort. and after a great
deal of teasing l consented to give
Up the reception for plague old pray.
er meeting. Now. Allie. dear. If you
tease me any more about 1t I'll give
IN the very last minute and disappoint
the Rev. Sydney Allen. And you'll
admit that would be rather hard on
a new minister.
II suppose all the girls will think
I've turned goody goody when they
hear Of it. but It's no such thing. !
never felt SO rebellious and wicked in
all my life as l did yesterday. when
promised to play on Friday evening.
" don't think l would have given
in IL grandpa hadn't come In and said
20 Mr.. Allen. OF 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 a lovely
time at Mrs. Preston's. and when you
are enjoying yourself do not forget
poor little me listening to hallelujahs
and loud amens."
1t was Friday night. and the YES
try Of the Methodist church on Shir-
ey avenue was pretty well 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 1t must have reached
he ear of the player, for she glanced
Up quickly. AS if by magic eye met
sye. A clashing discord made Jennie
Horton realize that she must attend
trictly to business. so with height
ened color and somewhat unsteady
fingers the hymn was finished.
At the close of the meeting 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 look of
honest admiration in the eyes of Mr..
Allen.
Old Deacon Norton was much
amused at the actions of the young
people. He well knew that his grand
laughter Jennie was simply using her
eoquetry on the young minister to
arouse Gerald Gordon's jealousy.
Two years ago young Gordon had
proposed to Jennie. but just for the
fun of it. as she afterward told her
most intimate friends. she gave him
mo" for an answer.
Love is blind" or else the young
man would certainly have seen the
love in Jennie's sparkling eyes. Men
in love will always have the sad les
son to learn that, as rule, woman's
mo- means yes" Swallowing his
disappointment as best he could. Mr..
Gordon went abroad. and for two
years Jennie had heard from him only
through his sister Alice.
Poor Jennie often regretted her
toolishness, but was too stubborn to
let Gerald know. On the day of the
reception the Gordon family were sur
prised at the arrival of Gerald. At the
dinner table Alice was telling the
family how poor Jennie was obliged
to give up the reception. The result
was that Gerald found his way to the
prayer meeting that night.
No wonder the young man could
hardly restrain himself when he no
ticed how Jennie avoided him and yet
lavished her smiles and honeyed
words on others.
Gerald. my boy. where have you
been keeping yourself all this time?
I am glad to see you in Boston again.
It has been very lonesome at the
house since you went to Europe.
Jennie hasn't seemed like the same
girl, and almost think that you
to take the sunshine with
you. l am sure I don't know what's
keeping the naughty puss tonight. She
Is usually only too anxious to get
away from the meeting, but this even
ing she is bold enough to flirt even
with the new parson. Young man,
you'd better put in an oar. or some
one else will win the prize. I'm going.
Tell Jennie that l asked you to see
her home. Remember. Gerald. faint
heart never won fair lady
With this particular advice Jennie's
left the encouraged
sutton.
With determined look on his
handsome face Gerald Gordon strobe
up to the pair and delivered to the
now trembling girl Deacon Norton's
message. Miss Norton welcomed him
home and accepted his escort. She
then introduced the somewhat embar-
raised minister. He. seeing how
things stood. said few words of well
come to Gerald and. thanking Jen-
ME for her assistance. quietly left
them.
On the walk home Jennie asked
her companion about his trip. Not a
word of love is spoken between them.
Gerald realizes that the golden mo-
ments are speeding away. but some
how he does not have the courage to
tell of his love. To again hear mo"
would be terrible. but Deacon Nor
toms words still rang in his ears,
Faint heart never won"
Jennie, two years ago today
asked you to be M wife. You refused,
and I went away to try and forget
YOU Distance only made me realize