The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1906-06-02
: . Martyr Pie 80 -:
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What girls. art student girls, would
feed to their pigeons-so that he
might initiate and thus win the good
will of the flock-had become sudden
ly tantaliZing mystery to Burrlck.
He stopped his sketching and medltat-
Ing, gaZed ont OF the window, over the
four tin roofs, with their square or
chard Of chimney pots to the opposite
window, in which sat the several girls
his ladies of the pigeons. A fortui-
tOus architectural blessing had pro-
vided that the buildings in which
Burrick and the girls had their Sepa-
rate studios were four stories high.
while the intervening structures had
tgnObly and fortunately but three
floors to their credit.
Mamie UNFINISHED herself from the
models chair when Burrick's crayon
paused. Mamie did not merit
models throne-her nose was out Of
killer, her hair was stringy, she had
small eyes and large freckles. Bur
rick's experience with her had proved
that her disposition was fairly good,
however, and he could not understand
how she had ever come to assault the
policeman on her beat with heavy
skillet.
The assault. on the officer had merit
ed for Mamie newspaper notoriety.
Her picture had to be published and
Burrick was detailed to make the
sketch. Mamie had found posing for
him such pleasure during the five
minutes Of his stay in the Kitchen that
she had volunteered to appear at his
studio every day. if he wished. She
made convenient model, and did not
Insist on the regular rates. She would,
too, wash Burrick's stems on the
morning after his chums visited him.
She had a deal OF information, and
had always been eager to answer
questions put by the youth. She
might know the diet Of pigeons.
He put the mystery to her.
Mamie, what do you think those |
girls feed their pigeons?" He waved |.
his crayon toward the open windows.
Cake and stuff" answered the |
girl, in her succinct fashion. Then.
with raucous note in her voice, she |
commented on the art girls. They
look like dead ones to me, sure. Do
youse know them?"
mo such luck
"Youse couldn't get acquainted wild
khAr "A
the girl asked quantity.
Every one isn't as sociable as you,
Mamie" Burrick put in discreetly
1t wouldn't do for her to develop
contrary strain which might lead to
mutiny. Let's get back to
eur picture"
He sketched intently and in silence
for some minutes. White pigeons
6irting by the window aroused him
again to the interests over the roofs.
Say, Mamie. do you think we could
grab one of those birds?'
"Oh, gee, and kill 'em; that would
be great! Wouldn't them girls be
[ierce, thought Mamie was enthused
with joy that was inexplcable to in
nOcent Burrick
In an instant she was off the models
chair, had gone to the cupboard and
gathered handful Of doughnut
crumbs. She scampered out of the
window suddenly, and when Burrick
ooked she was crouching behind a
brick chimney. A snare of doughnut
'emnants was alluring a rash pigeon
)eneath the girls hand. There was a
hurry OF wings. desperate tanning of
he air and Mamie scrambled into ,
he room again, holding a beautiful ,
pigeon in her hard little hands. She ,
'wung the bird by one leg. Shall ,
wiring its neck?" she asked calmly. ,
Lord! Stop-dont-you're hurt 9
ng it,
why not? 1t belongs to them girls T
here" replied Mamie, superiority. !
making face across the canyon which .
She had that infallihe
ogic which only comes to savage little y
iris.
Let me have it, cried Burrick ,
making sudden grab He held the :.
rembling thing SO tenderly that it's
uttering ceased. He caressed the
ird, and then slipped it into the huge
Ocket of his Jacket, while he fumbIed !,
mong his papers and uncovered a $
Alling card rather fresh. On it he
How dye do,'' n
Give me a piece of your hair rib s
On, Mamie" he pleaded The girl
beyed automatically.
Having acquired the ribbon, Bur A.
OK mercilessly slashed of its clean T