The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1901-04-06
FRANKLIN, La, SATURDAY, APRIL g. 1901

Harvey watched them with an I'M
disturbed smile-his father, turning
away at last and rubbing his forehead
with his handkerchief weakly; Mrs.
Seely, gazing at her daughter-in-law
with dreadful fascination. and the
girls, sinking into chairs in dismayed
silence.
We'll, mother" said Harvey, light
ly, "Of course a new addition to the
family is an object of interest; but
don't forget that l have an appetite,
and getting married has rather i'm
proved it. Take off your bonnet. my
own Here, Kitty"
Kitty came forward with a set face
and tightly-closed lips, to receive the
marvellous combination of beads and
silk flowers held out to her with a
disgusting air of sprightliness. She
was afraid to trust herself to speak.
Poor Mrs. Seely. sick at heart, had
made her way to the bell and rang it,
and dinner came down presently.
Turtle SOUP" the bride observed
looking round the table with a girlish
smile; "ain't nothing l admire SO!
Just pass that celery, father-in-law
Delicious! amt it. darling?"
Extremely, my DEAR" said the
bridegroom, complacently.
Ignorant and vulgar! What dread
full things would they discover next?
1t was an evening they never for
got. The unfortunate parents sat with
pale faces and unsteady hands, star
ing into their empty plates, or looking
at each other with fresh horror at
each simpering, senseless. ungram-
matical remark of their terrible daugh-
ter-in-law.
Kitty and Margery excused them
selves during the second course. and
flew to their rooms to cry themselves
to sleep, in an agony of dismay and
modification.
Il shan't think of setting up," said
the bride, rising from the table with
an apologetic giggle, and with the last
of her dessert held aloft. I'm too
wore out. If anybody calls-o' course
everybodyIl call-just tell 'em I'll see
'em tomorrow. Come on. dear"
And she tripped up stairs. with a
| juvenile nod over her shoulder, and
with her beaming young husband fol-
| lowing.
Mrs. Seely wrung her hands despair
ingly.
1--WE said it could not be worse"
| she said, family. But this! How
shall we endure it,"
Il shall not endure it," said her
husband; his face had grown almost
| careworn during the last two hours.
Il shall send them packing tomorrow,
and if ever he enters my house
| again.
He brought his hand down on the
table threateningly.
But that will not help matters"
said his wife, miserably. "He is
ruined; we are disgraced; and every
body will know it.
There was a silence.
Il had pictured her to myself" said
Mrs. Seely, beginning to sob, "as
young girl-a person Of suitable age
for my poor, misguided boy, decently
educated, and at least lady. And
even then, when l did not doubt that
it was such one he had chosen, I
thought myself the most unhappy
creature in the world, because she
had not wealth and an old name
Surely it is a judgment upon us. Oh.
was there ever SO dreadful thing?"
"Probably not" said her husband,
grimly.
1t was a solemn group which waited
in the dining-room, next morning, for
the appearance of the newly-wedded
couple.
There were marks of tossing
night on every face-in troubled
brows, swollen lids and pale cheeks
and a general gloom prevailed.
Mr.. Seely stood in front of the fire.
place, watching the half-door with
stern face. He was master in his own
house at least. and he was determined
that it should not be disgraced by his
sons wife for another hour.
please get them away before any
body comes, papa" said Kitty. 1T
would be dreadful if anybody were to
see her!"
"Dreadful!" Margery echoed. with
groan.
There were footsteps on the stairs
Mrs Seely turned with shiver, and
the girls caught their breath.
The hall door opened.
The waiting group looked up SLOW
w. Would she not be still more terri
BILE in the broad daylight-that artifi-
cial, simpering horror?
But it was not the sight they were
prepared to see which the open door
disclosed; it was not painted pow
dered semblance of woman who
came in slowly, with timid smile
and downcast eyes.
It was a slender. sweet-faced young
lady. with shining brown hair crown
ing a charming head, peachy cheeks,
in which the color came and went, and
soft. dark eyes, which studied the
carpet in pretty timidity; with dainty,
slippered feet, and lace-trimmed
u,r,,,or fitting snuglv to a perfect