The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1902-08-30

| iN HoSHetC currents OF the mlnC
reached out to its kindred mind, and
crew thought to ITSELF no matter how
great the distance. All her arguments
came back to him now.
If could only know where YOU
are. he thought, whether your
thoughts are with me in these DAYS
whether your mind is dwelling on the
same subjects that engross mine. then
l would know to a certainty whether
you are right or no."
The next day he spent with l,s
uncle and aunt. In the evening twi-
light he went to visit the deserted old
house under the locusts on he side
street, where he had spent so many
happy hours. His thoughts had been
there all day, but he had purposely
waited until the hour when he had
been accustomed to go to meet Mabel.
AS he went slowly along he remember
ed how eagerly and with hurried steps
he had always trodden the grassy path,
and how he had always found Mabel
waiting for him on the steps of the
old porch. With bowed head he walked
along, and it was not till he reached
the familiar gate and lifted the latch,
that he raised his head and looked
about him.
Some one was sitting on the steps,
and at the click of the latch she
sprang to her feet in startled way
Il beg your pardon" he said, lifting
his hat. Il thought this house was
vacant, and was so absorbed in my
own thoughts that l did not notice
that any ono was here"
Claude" exclaimed the woman on
the steps, holding out her hands to
him.
Mabel" he cried, Mabel. can it
be true that l have found you here?"
and he sprang forward and caught her
in his arms and kissed her again and
again. Suddenly he recovered him.
self, and releasing her he said, Il beg
your pardon, Mrs. hastings. l was
go overcome by. memories of the past,
and so surprised to find you here that
forgot you were another mans wife.
For the sake of past friendship, will
you not forgive me?'
Mrs. Hastings! she said, looking
into his face in puzzled way. Il do
not understand you. l am Mabel Cur
It's. Have mistaken you? Are you
net Claude Murray"
In a moment his arms were about
her again.
''Is it true? Have / found you
again, my Mabel? Oh, it has all been
! wretched mistake! Tell me. sweet
heart, that l need never lose you
again. Do not send me away. l could
lot bear it now"
She laid her head against his shoul-
Ter with little sigh of content.
Nor could l bear to have you CO."
vas all she said.
Then they sat down in their old
,lace on the steps to consider their
strange meeting.
'You have not told me yet why you
allied me Mrs. Hastings" she said
For answer he drew from book in
lis pocket we'll worn slip of paper,
which he placed in her hand. In the
right moonlight she read:
Married-By the Rev. John B. Cur
is, at Sharon, Iowa, May 10, IS,
Iiss Mabel Curtis and Mr.. Harry
hastings.
"Oh!" she cried. '"and you thought |
hat was my marriage notice? That
vas my cousin Mabel. Father mar
led her and was bridesmaid; but it |
ever entered my head that any one |
,ould think l was the bride. And
ou have carried that all these years?
III, Claude!" ...-
The tears were shining in the eyes
he raised to his, and he felt called to !
iss them away. t4I$E
Il shall never lose .'ou again.
car" he murmured in her ear. 1--WE
ill be married here in Vernon and
Ike our wedding trip out to our home
1 Los Angeles. Do not say no, Ma
ell and he tcnl eagerly for her
nswer.
"Home!" she repeated. "I have had
O home for three years. And
,me with you-oh. Claude, it will be
appiness beyond words!"
He drew her nearer to him, and his
cart leaped up in sympathy for the
PROV that thrilled in her voice.
"You have not tod me of your trou-
lie, Mabel" he said. gently.
No. forgot it all in seeing you.
hree years ago my parents both died.
came East to the college where l
raduated and obtained a position as
,acher of the delsarte culture there.
y summers have been spent at the
,llege or visiting in the homes of
lends. This summer, for the first
me in all these years, l felt an un-
longing to come back
ere and visit the old home. had in
nded to go elsewhere, but the feeling
as so strong that could not shake
of, and so last night ! came"
Last night" he cried. 'On the
vening train south?
"Yes," she replied.
II was on the same train and we
d not know one another! Did you
e me get OFF,"
mo-" she answered, MRS. Andrews
as expecting me and met me at the
~l- O. All mt iooly l1Nsrf - |