The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1902-08-16
~.*FBANKL1N,LA, SATURDAY AUGljsT l6Ll9o2

She merely informed him that she
expected friend to visit her. He
somehow fancied it was Chicago
belle he had often heard her praise, and
was rather anxious to meet a Western
specimen of American womanhood
When the hour of trial was upon him
his readiness came to the rescue,
though at first he was a little angry
with Carrie. as well as puzzled
why make mystery about Miss
Blake's coming?" lie asked.
"Oh, you may call her Jean-don' t
mind ne"'
Carrie" whispered Anthony, taking
her hand. but Carrie jerked it away.
''Prenez garde. she's coming"
Whereupon Jean blushingly entered.
Skating parties, sleigh drives, card
parties and even little Dances" made
the holidays pass as a dream. Between
Carries wit and Jeans beauty An
thony was properly unsettled. Ears
would plead for brilliant Caroline, eyes
would tell his heart that Jean was for
him the "fairest fair
The very reserve of Carrie piQued
him into lowering round her. while the
soft. tender light in Jeans brown eyes
lurcd him again to her side.
The last day of her visit came as last
days will. The two girls were in Caro-
lines room when Anthony's sleigh
bells were heard jingling up to the
door. Said Jean. peeping out:
III just fasten my waist with your
pin. sweetheart. and run down; you
can follow when you're ready"
my pin?" said Carrie. in pretended
anxiety. Don't you know there's
They prick and let out love, if they
don't cut it. Besides these old High
land Scotch dirks have something I'M
canny about them"
oh" laughed Jean, you're talkin.
just to keep me. l know your tricks"
But wait minute. do, for decency's
sake! One side Of your hair is down
let me tuck it up. What girl you are,
never to look in the glass;
But Jean was off, carelessIy fasten-
ing the uncanny old Scotch pin or
brooch.
Presently Carrie quietly descended.
Clever as she was, she was fairly
puzzled at the position OF the enemy"
as she could not help considering her
declared lover. For Anthony had with
in the week followed his ears and come
TO an understanding with Carrie, VOW
ing her to secrecy. She had an un-
comfortable suspicion that Jean, too,
was bound to secrecy. and that An
thony was equally in love with both.
As she entered the drawing room,
ready for the sleigh drive. Jean ran
for her hat and jacket. No sooner
was she safely out of the room than
Anthony clasped his darling Carrie
to lis heart.
Ten minutes later, Jean found them
looking over a new song. She gaEed
surprisedly at the front Of Carries
rough, woolly jacket.
"What new idea ef decoration is
this" she asked.
There hung Caroline's queer Scotch
pin. upside down, by one of its jew
eled knobs! Instantly it flashed on
jeans mind that half an hour before
she had worn that pin, when Anthony
had clasped her in his arms, murmur
ing, Precious Jean" Every vestige
Of color left her face. It had not |
needed the glance from Caroline's
scornful eyes to Anthony's face. fierce
Y crimson. to confirm her horrible fear.
lean would have fallen, so sick at
heart was she, had not Carolines arm
ancircled her, while she said in tones |
hat. as Anthony himself afterward ex- |
pressed it, burned holes in him:
1.-Two fools we have been. indeed. |
But thanks to this blessed little PIN
kissing it-"a greater fool, because
lnave as well. stands revealed. Cour-
lge. Jean" she whispered to her fall
ng friend. I'VE wish you a pleasant |
sleigh drive, SIR
Our crestfallen general retreated
without word. So covered with con-
usion and dismay was he, that he left
lis sleigh at the door and walked miles
lndcr the fierce battery of sudden
now storm, 50 self disgusted that he
lctually wished the sleety snow flakes
we're bullets that could penetrate and
nd his misery.
1t was a bitter lesson to the incon-
tant lover, but as far as Caroline and
ean were concerned it came too late.
they treated him SO coldly that he
Oon left his uncle's house for more
quarters, and amid new sur
began new and better ca
eer.
Caroline and Jean survived the loss.
'arrie was persuaded to accompany
can. early in the spring. on her Euro
can tour. Let us read over Uncle
andrews shoulder a sentence out of
err last bright letter from Rome:
Jean is all but engaged to young
'ount Cancini, heir to an illustrious
.Oman house" Magazine.
A Binding Industry.
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