The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1902-10-11


/ uncorked. AS the door closed on he
]. retreating form, he turned to his wife
| "Well, that beats me! I'll bet Georg
| paid every cent of $25 for those tw
seats, and she takes it az cool as If sh
: was used to such treats every nigh
, in the week. / do believe she's NOR
interested in Delancey's contract TO
that Newport palace than in getting
husband
Like as not" responded Mrs. Doyle
gathering the butter scraps for tn
cooking jar. AN architects contrac
is easily filled, but marriage>is uncer
tain and it's got to stand for most O
US. | don't see that there's such {
rush about her settling down. She's do
ing well. Besides, how do you know
that Mr.. Shaw wants herr"
want her!" roared Mr.. Doyle
who wouldn't want her? Amt she
pretty? Amt she bright and up to the
mark every time? Amt got money to
leave? And amt she as cool as a
cucumber, too, the Independent minx?'
A week after the Bernhard episode
John Doyle came home fairly brim-
ming over with excitement.
What do you think? George has
bought an interest in the store. Had a
tidy bit of money laid by when he
came down here, and seeing this was a
| good opening, bought in. Everybody
around the store is tickled to death.
Say, l invited him round to dinner
Sunday, to celebrate the occasion"
Mrs. Doyle smiled.
| That's nice"
Louise likewise smiled placidly-
and passed her plate for another chop.
John Doyle boiled inwardly.
Don't care rap. This comes Of
letting her work among a lot Of coun-
terjumpers and upstart young brokers.
She don't know a real man when she
sees one"
The next night Louise dine, with
two young women who lived il true
Bohemian fashion, in two rooms with
bath. She came home animated and
gosstpy.
"Oh, mother" she exclaimed, as she
folded her new veil with thrifty care
IT'S the dearest little den. The par
lor couches are their beds at night, and
inside there's place for their gowns.
And such a cute dinner-with a fern
in the middle Of the table, and every
thing so easy to get-canned soup, fried
chicken and salad and things from the
delicatessen store, and rolls heated in
the gas oven, and charlotte russo, with
the queerest black coffee and preserved
sweets from India to finish off. No two
dishes alike and each one with a his
tory!"
Mrs. Doyle patted the two slender
hands that stole round her neck.
1--WE had good dinner, too, dearie,
roly-poly pudding with strawberry
JAM"
mot strawberry JAM" sighed Louise, |
Naughty mother, not to wait till a |
night When l was home. I've been
thinking that when Mr.. Shaw came
Sunday we might have something out
Of the ordinary, just to celebrate the |
occasion" This with a sly look at her
father.
ITO be sure" responded Mrs. Doyle
heartily. THE poor fellow has boarded
ever since he came to town. No doubt
he'll enjoy some good home cooking.
Well have a fine roast of beef with
both kinds of potatoes, celery and
vegetables, and I'll make some extra
thick mince pies"
Louise tapped the table thoughtfully.
II know, mother dear, you're the
best cook in the world, but-don't you
think it would be nice to have some
little extras like-well-like the girls
had tonight"
"Bless my SOUL" remarked Mrs.
Doyle, wiping her glasses anxiously,
when Louise left the room. Whatever
does she want, I'm sure"
Never mind what she wants, she's
going to have it," growled Mr.. Doyle.
in unconcealed triumph. That's the
first ray Of sense she's shown since
Georges been coming here. Let her
buy what she wants for Sunday"
In ful1lment of this Injunction, he
pressed a ten-dollar bill into his daugh-
,er's hand, bidding her spend it for
she liked for the momentous
occasion. An when the two young
people had retired to the parlor, after
Inner On Sunday, and he was ex-
lberantly wiping the dishes for his
wife, he remarked:
We'll, Minerva, that dinner'll do
me OF two things for George Shaw.
til either kill him or make him pro-
)Ose."
Il declare, John Doyle, believe
'ou've gone daft on the subject of
marrying off Louise. But l must say !
hat do feel bit squeamish myself
fter these iced oysters"
The next morning after breakfast
4ouise fingered over the task of tying 9
er veil and rebuttoned her gloves ner-
ously. Finally she crossed abruptly G
0 her mothers side and rested one
and caressingly on the gray hairs
Mother, guess you'll have to teach
ne how to roast beef your way. George b
-" Mr.. Doyle started and his paper a
$~. 10 |