The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1903-03-21
. ~ FRANKLIN, La, SATURDAYsMARCH 2 1908

lived for and in my son ever sincs
his father died. | have brought him
up. to honor his dead father beyond
all living men. How can l now ac
knowledge to him that a greater than
his father has arisen for me? How
can l publicly set another in the
place death has made sacred?
Wouldn't it be like sacrilege in his
eyes? The seed l sowed in my boys
heart has flourished beyond belief
his very love of me is entwined with
it. If l struck at the one, might l
not endanger the other,?'
The girl summoned all her store OF
courage to her aid.
But if he should-think of marry
ing-himself, wouldn't that make a
difference?"
You think that because you are SO
young yourself, dear girl. And how
patient you have been to me-" she said,
coming back to her accustomed con-
sideration for her companion. Some
times | have felt | must speak, Just
once, or it would kill me-and now |
have spoken. You will respect my con-
fidence, I know"
Yes" said the girl, "yes."
These were the questions which
troubled her, filled her waking thoughts
sent her restless to bed.
And while she still waited she be-
came the victim of yet another conf
dence, this time from a man again,
but middle-aged and iron-gray.
you look like a sensible little girl"
he began, abruptly. Are you?"
II hope SOL" She smiled.
Then, although we don't know
much of each other, you'll forgive me
for asking you question or two which
may seem beyond my limit, believing
that impertinence is the last thing
prompting me"
Suddenly arrested in interest, the
girl nodded.
Then. will you tell me if you ever
get below the surface, as it were. in
those long and seemingly confidential
talks you have with our young
curate?"
Have you right to ask?"
IL have at any rate large interest
at stake"
That sounds almost the same thing.
| am afraid of what | may and may
not say; but l don't see at this mo-
ment any reason why | should not
speak the truth.
Then you have?"
Sometimes" she admitted.
Once in particular. perhaps?"
Il must not tell YOU
What are you going to do?" gasped
the girl.
81 am going to tell our curate how
matters stand between his mother
and myself; he is betweenNand-"
"She didn't bind you to secrecy?"
Il have forgotten it if she did. And
If she did, she will forgive me by re-
suits or l don't know her."
And if there are no satisfactory re-
suits, she won't Know anything about
it?"
"Of course not. thought You
could help me-"
She looked at the mans firm mouth,
his pleasant, kindly eyes. Il want to
help you much more than I've helped
you at present" she said.
"But | can't get the woman I want
unless l can secure a bride for our
him out of the way"
Don't talk of him like that" she
laughed
And a troublesome conscience
won't lnt me go to him after watch
ing him follow you about with his
eyes, unless l can hold out some sort |
of hope that he would be successful |
in yielding to my prompting-in pro-
posing to you, in fact, to-er-clear |
the way-for me-"
Cant your"
She blushed and smiled.
Il should not like to. Look here, |
little girl, am as safe as house; you !
can very we'll trust me. Has he told |
you he loves you?"
ooh, why" she cried, must you put !
it round that way?"
well done, little girl! Then I'll |
it. III settle things for the
four of us out of hand"
And this is what he did.-New York
,Sews.