The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1901-04-06
VOL. XIII.

"Your last day? Dear. dear, must
YOU go today, Harvey" said Mrs. See
ly, looking across the breakfast table
at her son, 9ith affectionate concern
And her daughters Kitty and Mar
gerry echoed her words.
Couldn't you have got off for an
other week." said his father. break
ing a hot roll carefully. Now that
4. you're partner, though"
"Now that I'm partner, it's hard
work getting off, responded Harvey
seely. TT was all could do"
He paused suddenly.
What was all you could do?" in
quired Kitty.
WELL" said Harvey, laying down
his knife and fork. with beaming
smile, "here goes; Here's the news
I've been saving up for you till the last
from a natural modesty. 1t was all
I could do to get things arranged SO
that could go on my wedding trip a
month hence. l am going to be mar
ried.
Kitty's spoon fell into her saucer
with a clatter. and Mr.. Seely dropped
his roll hastily.
Married" said Margery breathless-
ly.
Mrs. Seely alone remained calm.
She rolled up her napkin, put 1t in
its ring and looked at her son through
her gold-bowed glasses composedly.
She felt. however. that this was an
important crisis.
When Harvey-their only son-had.
with commendable independence, left
his pleasant home to ''get a start" in
the neighborng city. they had all
expected great things Of him.
He would be rapidly successful; he
would distinguish himself in the pro-
fession he had chosen and amass for
tune; and he would WOO and win
some sweet girl, with a long row Of
,ncestors-the Seelys, being them
selves a good old family. were great
,especters of blue blood-a host Of
accomplishments and heavy dowry.
Their hopes had seemed likely to be
fnlflled. Harvey had proved himself
Possessed of remarkable business quail
ties; he had risen quickly, and had re-
Gently exceeded their widest ambi-
tons by being made junior party II
his firm.
All that now remained to be desired
was his safe conquest Of the beautiful
md aristocratic young person of Their
dreams. with her many talents and
tubstantial Inheritance.
It Is not to be wondered at, there
nIore, that the girls were trembling with
eagerness; that Mr.. Seely fumbled
With his watch chain in nervous sus-
lense, and that Mrs. Seely opened her
Ips twice before she found strength
b PROFOUND the all-important Ques-
don:
Who Is she?''
"She is Miss Dora Berdan at pres
At," said Harvey smilingly.
sBerdan?" Mrs. Seely repeated. and
nked her brows inquiringly. Il don't
think have heard of the family"
Not at all likely" Harvey rejoincd.
They are quiet people"
SBerdan!" Mrs. Seely repeated,
nusingly. mo; have not heard of
hem. Where do they live?"
In Weyman street." responded
Harvey.
An. Scely fell back in her chair
nth little gasp; her husband turned
dkmayed face upon his son; and
kitty and Margery gave little screams.
"Weyman street! It was miles from
ae region Of aristocracy; it was
ecpied with working girls, and seam-
Fesses and small shopkepers: with
treet venders and old apple-wome
the Seelys knew.
Weyman street, Harvey?"
Y father, appealingly.
lnly; Weyman street." Har-
eated.
she is not-she cannot be of
tar.ly. living in Weyman
,. said Mrs. Seely. anxiously.
80 family is quite respectable"
9 ON responded, quietly. "Dora's
Hler Is o widow. She sews for
goods house. and Dora has been
stant bookkeeper in our estab-
lment; that is how l met her.
N. Ssely groaned.
bookkeeper-a seamstress!" she
eeleted. "Oh. Harvey, you could
ave done worse!"
pcnniless girl" said his father,
"And after all we have
- for you! No; 1t could not be
common working-girl!" said
=. IN a choking voice. "And
'yDody will know it! Oh, Harvey,
culdn't be worse."
e young man looked from one to
ner in astonished. hurt and half
mptuous silence.
sery turned to him, with a gen.
gmpathy mingling with the
~ IN her face.
fhars,' she said, hopefully
there is something to make
erhaps she is a wonderful
q great genius, or some