The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1901-03-16
VOL. XIII
T1tC
DESPERATE CASE OF PERCIVAL.
THE

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,SPefMval fele that the world was
comeAto an end for him and he was
irving to convince himself that he
didn't care a continental il it was. He
sat in a chair that seemed incompati'
BILE with any sort OF discomfort. bis
pipe was between his teeth and he had
been notified Of raise in his salary
L that very week; nevertheless the
the chair could not hold him In Its
padded embrace. and he got up and
raced about the room In the regulation
style of the Gagged panther; his pipe
had gone out long ago. and as for the
salary, what to him was salary.
He felt in the breast pocket Of his
coat and drew out letter. or rather
q note. which he read with scowl
corrugatng his brow. Then with a
succession of angry jerks. he tore It
across and across and dropped the
pieces, fluttering on the hearth. A
moment later he gathered the pieces
In a heap, and, striking match. set
FIRE to them. AS the flame gradually
died out from the rustling tinder q
thought seemed to strike him and he
felt in his breast pocket again. This
time he tcc,s out a pocket book and
extracted a small package wrapped In
tissue paper from special compart-
ment; this also he laid on the hearth,
and, with the same expression Of an
gry determination on his face. struck
another match and held 1t to the
paper It did not burn as freely as
the othrr eor a minute. but suddenly
It flared up so that he had to start
back to avoid the fame. The next in
slant there was nothing on the hearth
but ashes al a particularly unpleas-
ant smell permeated the room.
Percival drew a deep breath and re-
mained staring moodily at the black
ened fragments on the hearth for sew
eral minutes. Then, with what seemed
to be an effort. he rose and began to
whistle. What did it matter. after
all! What did anything matter? No
girl was worth a moments worry.
In accordance with this decision he
sat down again and struck third
match with which he lighted his pipe.
He puffed away with preternatural
calm for little while and then took
the evening paper from the table and
turned to the theatrical advertise
ments.
Il might as we'll enjoy myself" he
said. That's probably what she's
doing. III simply devote the rest of
my existence to having a good time.
II she ever hears of me at all 1t will
be as light.hearted man about town.
Let's see what Is on. No, I'm not
going to afford her the satisfaction of
seeing me droop into an early grave.
Ny harp doesn't hang on any weeping
willow tree. III tune her up and pick
out rag-time tunes"
The paper dropped to the floor and
he continued with melancholy eye
on the engraving Of Napoleon at St.
Helena, which hung on the wall: 'Ill
dissipate; that's what I'll do-fll the
cup that clears today Of past regrets
and future fears-whoop 'er up Eliza
Jane. / believe III drink a bottle Of
beer before go to bed tonight. just
as starter. They will 60 to her and
tell her what I'm doing, and then may
be she will be sorry. I don't know,
though, why should care whether she
Is sorry or not. I don't suppose l
really do. My mind Is naturally dis
turbed now. just as it would be II
suddenly broke myself of any other
habit. In week l shall be wonder
ng what ever saw in her and shall
% ahead so much experience. I sup
pose every man has to 60 through 1t
once. just as puppies get the distemp-
er, and l ought to be thankful that
FOUND out In time how callous and
FRIVOLOUS women can be. I've had all
want OF them, that's one thing sure"
He got up and walked about the
Foom and then suddenly sat down
lsain with an impatient exclamation.
4 don't see why l can't simply dis
Mss the matter from my mind and
'et It 80 at that" he said. II won't go
out; that's one thing dead certain. 1t
would be confession Of weakness to
seek distraction. wonder il she
Won't write and ask me to come again.
guess it's too soon for a letter. but
sne might send messenger. Then l
souid coldly express my regret that l
vas unable to see her and suggest
uat It would perhaps be better that
CUR correspondence should cease.
mat would settle the matter and it
aousd be satisfaction to know that
vas actually settled. l guess it's
etded, anyway.
= wonder how that trial balance is
mms out. Mosier is going to get
oled on this guess. They want to
some ink that won't clog on the
rs the way the last did. l don't
SeQeve In the economy of buying
a0p ink. There's going to be plenty
" to do between this and Christ
with the ANNALS and the holiday
lpments, and it won't let up with
new year. Well. l shall be glad
nave plenty OF work to take my
.and on this business. Work! That's
nat there is before me now. Good,
slsst, hard work and no fooling.
mat | wouldn't have worked just