The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1904-07-09
The Odd Thing
About 1t.

had been porng over 1Our-
! teenth century manuscript in the win
dow seat behind the library curtains.
Tne twilight and the end OF the faint,
grabbed writing came together; and
| then l suppose | fell asleep. | woke
| at the sound O. Vera Rutherford's
voice.
The odd thing about it is that
don't really dislike him at all.
You will tell me next that he
doesn't really dislike you" said Maud
Leslie, with an unbelievins laugh
Il am afraid" said Vera. there is
no doubt about that" could have
pointed out grave doubts; but wasn't
more than half-awake. Besides,
couldn't be quite sure that they re-
ferrei to me.
Did you say afraid Ne?'
You needn't quibble over my
| words" she answered impatiently
There was pause.
Dear old Ve." said Maud. in
moment Here again | ought to have
pretended that just woke u2, and an
nOunced myself.
Il hate him." Vera observed in
consistently.
so" said Maud heartily, do H.
could not well proclaim my presence
after these remarks.
AT least think do
I'm sure do" said Maud, positive
ly Il consider him horrible"
"Oh, Maud. You know he isn't"
He must be, or he wouldn't be so
rude to you
II provoke him, you see
That is no excuse at all Look at
the way he contradicted you about
those Tuscan vases, or whatever you
call them"
Il contradicted him first"
"Why shouldn't you?"
"BecauSe-he was right
(which made it all the more annoy
ing"
Yes" said Vera, with a sigh. I
wished l had never let her have her
own way"
Never mind. dear. You refuted
him about those silly pre-something-
or-other things
Moo; i didn't. really
"Oh, but you did. Papa and every
one laughed at it." Confound them.
"Ah, butt was sorry and he knew
it,"
Nonsense, Ve"
Didn't you hear what he said to Sir
Garvin O'Brien about them afterward?
If you remember--'
Il don't! l didn't understand word
Of their gibberish, and didn't want
to-" Quite right, Miss Maud; women
shouldn't dabble in antiquities Then
they wouldn't quarrel with antiquari-
ans.
Anyhow. it disposed of my theory
completely"
Then why didn't he say it at the
time?"
Probably he thought me beneath
argument" AS matter Of fact ! had,
for once, made an effort to be mag
nanimOus. and spare her feelings.
He is great deal too superior"
stated Maud. felt myself blushing.
He really knows a great deal" sug-
gested Vera, timidly. | made up my
mind not to quarrel with her any
more.
"A lot of antiquated rubbish oi no
use to any one" scoffed Maud. could
feel that she was tossing her head.
Jack calls him the lumberroom'!"
Jack is young ass
Il don't agree" said Vera, hotly.
Jack is"
mo, he isn't!" He's very nearly
engaged to Maud.
"A charming and intelligent fellow,
l was going to say"
Nasty little story-teller!" thought
they were going to quarrel. but they
didn't.
We'll, I'll admit the learning of
your Mr.. Norton said Maud when
they had done laughing. "but--"
HE isn't my Mr.. Norton" Vera OBJ
jected. There was a further pause.
If Maud had gone l should have felt
inclined to come out and place "Mr
Norton" at pretty Vera's disposal, but
Maud didn't go.
do you really like him, old Ve?"
she asked.
"Only just a little"
"Sure?"
"Yes-almOst sure
Il can't see what you like in him."
protested Maud, impatiently. Hes
forty, at least" Thirty-seven only,
Miss Maud
Il don't care if he is. He looks
young"
Hes full of conceit." That really
was a mistake,