The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1904-04-09

friendship"
She well remembered tie dinner. the
sudden thy between them and
an indescribable feeling of loss when
Mrs. Markham had told her 2fterward
that Ashley was engaged. She had de-
cided code in matters of that Kind and
many times during the last few weeks
his interested eyes had troubled her.
II had a little tale l wanted to tell.
! but the man whom it concerned was
there" How could she make him
| stop? She did not like his words or
his tone.
This chap met very pretty girl
while he was Still in college. Almost
before he knew it he was engaged to
| her. They had grain of sense, how
ever, for they agreed that either might
be released at the end Of the year.
when the time was mp the fellow
found that the girl was only a pleas
| ant incident in his career. He told her
! so, gently enough. but plainly. Was
he brute? Should he have made HIM
self carci'
"He did right" Polly replied. her in
terest sweeping away her fears. This
talk OF honor is rubbish. A woman is
| never satisfied with half love. He
| couldn't have deceived her forever. and
the sharp present pang would have
| been nothing to the later one
Il am very glad" be said. in voice
that thrilled her; sit is my own story" ;"
"Oh," breathed Polly, a thousand
thoughts wheeling through her mind.
Then you are not engascd:'
"You have thought l was:' he cues
toned quickly.
Mrs. Markham said So
Il thought Rob knew it was broken y
Then restlessly. i've tried many times
to go back. She has never married and
her beauty's gone Twice I've been as
far as the train. 1t wasn't the sacri-
flee. 1t was living lie
Poor girl murmured Polly.
Ashley was quiet, his hands clasped
| tensely behind him. The storm had
reached its height. and the rain sound
ed like musketry among the trees.
Great oaks and pines groaned in the
wind, and blue lightning cleft the dark
ness. Thunder came in continuous
waves of sound. At one flash un-
| usually bright, Polly buried her head
in her hands. When she lifted it a
giant tree was falling with ripping
noise. dropping from one to another OF
the smaller trees about it.
1T will soon be DONE" Ashley said,
| soothingly. You must hate me for
causing you this discomfort:''
Possibly 1 do" she smiled, "but 1
couldn't afford to own it. l can't
stand thunder and lightning alone.
You might desert
"And you would keep me even when
YOU knew l had been cruel to wo-
MANI" Polly's heart futtered.
"It was not intentional cruelty.
There are degrees"
Ashley handed her the photograph
of a girl, which he took from his
| watch. =
"This is She" he said.
"How very pretty she is..'
"She expected that to take the place
of ideas. education. character" lie
tore the picture into bits.
! mo. nov' she cried.
"Why not? My penance is done.
| Diana has judged me innocent
But why should II don't under,
stand"
.'Why should you be judge?" he fin
ished eagerly and tenderly, ''because
1 love you"
The report of a gun brought Polly to
her feet, half relieved. half regretful
She sped away through the rain-laden
underbrush to meet the Markhams anG
Abe, the guide.
"Why didn't you run for the house,:
| called Mrs. Markham. "It's only lit
tie way
"A little wayw echoed Polly, and
Ashley laughed.
1--WE were lost.' he explained.
didn't trust Diana and we've walked
ten miles at least"
''To say nothing of being starved and
soaked and wasting your time.'
| Knocked Mr.. Markham.
Don't say wasted, Bob,' protested
Ashley.
NO. indeed" interrupted Mrs. Mark
ham, they've probably settled the uni
verse by now. What's the best way tt
alleviate the wretched lot of man."
did we get as far as that, Mis-:
Diana?" Somehow Ashley had man
aged to keep her behind tie others ant
grasp her hand in his.
All rosy red she raised her eyes t.
his and from them shot a glance tina
meant a world Of happiness to him.
NO." she replied. "Not quite as ia
as that."-New York Commercial Ad
vertiser.