The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1904-01-23
The DRAGON
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on her phenomenal success as !
dragon. She explained to Mrs. Barr
that this was the third young RELATIVE
who had been sent down to that re
mote part of the country to be broker
In.
"YOu can't imagine what a nuisance
1t is to be the one unmarried sisteI
Of a large family. I get despairin:
little notes: Dear Jane-WOuld yOl
mind taking Evelyn for few months
She has been seeing too much OF
young'-somebody or other out Of tho
question, don't you know: and next
morning down comes the girl. with q
iisgraceful temper and fixed deter
mination to spend all her time writing
letters"
"You seem to have been very success.
iul with Lillian; she is quite cheerful
now."
Eyes, 1 think So" She rose and
looked out upon the distant hillside,
IN which Lillian was accustomed to
lake her daily ride: but nobody was to
be seen there yet-the girl hadn't had
time to get there, Of course. She
turned away from the window. Il
think it is almost time to write and
say the cure is complete"
perhaps"
81 think l should wait till Lord
Banford has been here for a few
lays"
Lord Banford was one Of the desir-
able people whom it was Lady James
luty to ask down to meet her nieces
when sufficiently tanned. He was COM
ing this afternoon.
did I tell you" said Lady Jane.
that Lillian at first said something
about running away with the groom?'
Mrs. Barre shuddered.
"Yes, she really did. and I was al
most afraid she might"
Mrs. Barre said: us she such an
lwful girl as that?'
eyes. believe in a wild moment she
night have done it. I had a young
fellow. quite handsome, at the time.
md 1 had to send him away. 1 got
/ most reliable elderly man. with side
whiskers and very blue chin, in his
place."
"The man who is riding with her
aow?'
Eyes. and defy Lillian to run away
With side whiskers and a blue chin.
She is girl of taste. He came with
he most excellent references, and I
lave instructed him never to let her
,ut Of his sight. She grumbled at
irst, little, but I am accustomed
% having my own way"
And the conversation branched off
% less gruesome subjects till the graf
ng Of the carriage wheels outside an
bounced the arrival of the very de-
,irable Lordship.
He was ushered in and shook hands.
hen glanced around the room. and for
moment seemed little surprised
% find the two ladies alone. The
glance was not lost upon Lady Jane,
whose infallible powers Of observa-
ion told her it was an excellent sign.
She smiled. Lord Banford delicate
Y hitched up the knees of his trousers,
rat down and prepared to describe the
speed Of the train and appearance of
he country.
you were wondering where Lillian
81"
He did not wait to think out how
The guessed that-her intuition was no.
OriOus. He merely said:
mo; was I? I-er-didn't know Miss
Braiston was here. I-er-am very
glad to hear it."
Lady James keen intellect told her
that II he were Indifferent. he would
aot have pretended ignorance on the
very matter which must have been the
,nly reason for his coming.
II suppose-hee-heev' said his Lord
ship, "that the country is very beau
tiful about here when seen from the
back of horse:'
YES" replied Lady Jane, divining
1t once the purpose of that remark.
Yes: one is rather apt to forget how
line is flying when one is really enjoy
ng it."
"Hee-hee" said Lord Banford.
Il am afraid my niece must have
zone rather farther than she intended:
The certainly knew what time you
we're coming"
"Ah!" said Lord Banford. much en-
outraged.
Are you fond Of long. lonely rides
when the scenery is good:'
Long rides? Yes" he replied: "but
lee-hee! one doesn't care to be alto
'ether lonely, does one"
After a few minutes footsteps were
heard In the hall. and Lady James
'row rose a little higher as she real
zed that the groom had come into
ne hall as well. which was surpris.
ng IN servant of such experience.
me door opened and Lillian appeared.
lushed and radiant. Lord Banford
aw that she had evidently been rid
ng hard in order not to keep him
and he read apologies in the
'earty shake of the hand which she
ave him.
You are late, my dear" said Lady
ane. much pleased with the appear
nee OF her niece. "Come and have
ca before you change your dress"
"Thank vn,, o,,c<. r.. -, |