The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1904-07-09

| your subject. but they are: Anyhow.
don't believe he knows half SO much
about them as you do"
That" said Vera, is utterly absurd
do not deceive myself upon that
point"
have been studying antiquities for
90 years. She has dabbled in them
for two. Her friends had persuaded
her that she was an authority, and
she had posed little to me. | had
been impatient and tactless in point
ing out to her harmless errors. That
was the beginning Of our QuarrellnG.
Afterwards we disagreed upon every
thing that we happened to discuss.
We had discussed a good many things.
anyhow" contended Maud, he
doesn't know very much about any
thing else-except perhaps, chess and
billiards.
He rows well, and dances splen-
didly."
IF he did things as well as he
thinks he docs" said Maud scorn-
fully You will admit Ghat my .situa-
tion was embarrassing
You are rather hard on him. Maud.
| think" So did l. Won't you admit
that he has any good points?"
"Oh-he can talk. He's very anus
ing when he comes out Of his shell.
rather like to talk to him myself >
Indeed. But | don't believe he has
bit of sentiment in him. I'm sure
he's never kissed a girl in his life .
Hasn't he. Unless laughed
mischievously-"its you"
You are ridiculous" protested We
"a. he wouldn't dream of such a
thing" Obviously Miss Vera under
stood me no better than other antlqui-
tics.
Perhaps he-Why don't you leave
of squabbling with him."
He won't let me. He generally
begins by asking me whether l am
ready for our usual quarrel.
why don't you say 'no?'"
Because he ought to say it." l re-
solved that he should.
Then you will find him deadly
dull
II don't think should
Whatever would you talk about?"
"Oh-the usual things['
"My dear We, he couldn't. Just
fancy him whispering soft nothings
in your earl" Maud laughed Per
sonaly | didn't see anything to laugh
" O.
down"
Don't be so silly"
whilst he imprinted a chaste sa-
1t is time to dress for dinner"
said Vera, frigidly. She walked to-
wards the door.
He has a ginger mustache,' said
Maud, as a parting shot. This remark
was absolutely untrue; it is golden
almost
He has not" Vera departed.
Maud humed a queer little tune to
herself for minute. Then she sighed
twice-presumably for Vera. Then
she shrugged her shoulders Once-l
fear for me. Then she went out al
so. After a prudent interval | fol
lowed.
At dinner Vera and | were neigh
bors. avoided antiquities. and told
her amusing stories. just to hear her
laugh. She looks verJ pretty when
she laughs. She also looks very pref
ty when she doesn't.
-hN ic
of his scenery. suggested that we
should go and see the moon rise over
Tall Hill. l managed to escort Vera
and to lose the others.
Shall we have our usual quarrel?"
she asked, when we had perched our
selves upon a big stile at the foot Of
the hill
NO" l replied; Il don't want to
quarrel, please"
Don't you?" she said brightly.
Aren't you afraid we shall be dull?"
Not in the least; but if you are"
"Oh, no. We can talk ,about-let
me Soe|"
THE usual things?' I suggested.
OuC lOohCu o"lAlly o. me- hAu save q
little start | took hold Of her arm.
Il thought you were falling" l ex-
planned. Perhaps it would be safer
il held you" She didn't seem to
mind, SO | gathered her arm comfort
ably in mine.
Il can't imagine you talking usual
things you know" she said, with an
uncertain little laugh.
Everybody says usual things in
the moonlight" l explained. "See. it
is just rising over the hill"
We sat few minutes in silence,
watching the yellow rim appearing,
and the pale light streaming down the
fields, dotted here and there with tall
trees.
1T is very. very beautiful" she
said softly 1T makes one feel good.
l am so glad you didn't want to quar-
rel tonight"
"Or any other night. l have been
going to tell you so for a long time y
She laughed.
How strange! Do you know, have
been wanting to say the same thing
to you