The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1901-04-20

loVely pine woods-or, to be trua
quarreled and you suffered-and the
splendld sea shore, where I said hit
ter things. because my friends were at
lroutVlile and at the quiet Paris
Plage, and you were sad and silent"
MY dear."-he interrupted, Il was
greatly to blame"
Hush! you must not interrunt
Ihen, one day, we took a boat a
clumsy boat, and sailed out. despite
the warnings Of the fishermen. |
didn't care what happened; we had
Quarreled-or rather l, at lunch. said
harsh things"
my DEAR" he Interrupted, there
were faults on both sides; they rem
dered life intolerable and love impos-
sible. but"
Hush! We rode out; you had the
sculls and l steered: at least, l lay In
the stern and splashed the waves with
my hands-the hands you used to kiss
so often" -.
She paused, and looked at the hands
firm. plump and white, and decked
with lovely rings Of curious workman
ship. He. too, looked at them, and
sighed. She sighed.
'But out we went. Then the skies
became dark, the water darkened, too.
and grew rough, and you tried to turn;
we were far, far away from shore; you
must have been looking at me instead
Of the land. or you would have seen
that we were floating fast in a cur
rent. With an effort you brought the
boat round and pulled for safety. Oh!
you looked splendid. Your thin jersey
showed the lines Of your strong, sup
pie body, and the muscles Of your
arms and chest rose superbly. and your
manly face, flushed and firm, fascinat-
ed me-"
The man smiled half scornfully.
"You pulled hard, and l don't think
I was frightened. I didn't care what
happened. Then the rotten oar
cracked, and you bound 1t round with
your handkerchief; but it was still
weak, SO you tore off long strip OF
my petticoat to bind it with. and we
drifted, drffted out. When at last you
tried again, it snapped, and the blade
fell into the sea. Then you came to me.
in the stern, and took the tiller from
my hands. You put your arm round
my waist, and said, DO not be afraid,
dear wife, I knew we were drifting
out to the open sea, storm and death,
and was aware that you knew it.
Don't be afraid, little wife you said,
and suddenly put your arms round my
neck"
81 remember"
Eyes, l know; let me go on. You
brought my face to yours, and laid
your lips on mine. Oh, that kiss
that kiss ! 1t still stings on my lips.
In it l felt the depth of your love;
felt that loved you-felt that we were
man and wife, and the only beings
alive on land and sea. That kiss is
what l regret-that kiss, the one mo-
ment of rapture in my life"
She paused.
II remember"
why did that foolish steamer save
us? could have died there, happy in
your arms-quite happy"
Eyes, quite. To think that we quar-
relied within a week-at least, did
and things went worse than ever after
ward! What are we women made Of?
The old song is wrong-we are made OF
gall. and wormwood and marble. To
think that we are here, and that paper
lies there! You've acted very hand
somely, allowing me more than half
your income, and letting me keep the
fiat"
do you think could live in it after
you have gomez" he answered with a
break in his voice. There's nothing
in it that does not speak Of you-its
graveyard of memories"
She looked at him over the fan and
saw tears in his eyes. Then she rose
and walked across the room.
Herbert" she said, in timid voice,
after long pause, lit is o'clock. He
will be here in five short minutes to
see that gruesome deed executed"
The man bowed his head and hid his
face in his hands.
She took out her handkerchief-a
ridiculous bit of lawn and lace-and
touched her eyes.
Herbert, tomorrow is just a year
after that day; the night train starts
at o'clock. If we went to Etaples, we
might find that kiss again"
He jumped up, tears in his eyes and
a smile on his lips.
you mean to say"
He caught her in his arms and
pressed his lips long and. passionately
on her mouth.
Il don't think we really need 60 to
Etaples," she said, with smile, after
a long pause, "but 1t will be pleasant
little-honeymoon."
He rang the bell, told the servant to
tell Mr.. Hawkins that no one was at
home, and she bade the girl pack her
things instantly. When the girl left
the room, they both took hold OF the
deed, and slowly, gravely tore 1t into
great many small pieces.