The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1906-05-26

4.
hand to her neck While al. the color
faded from he- face.
He-he has been asking about
you" added Agatha. aai Elinor threw
back her head little disdainfu.ly.
Very kind Of him." she answered,
having recovered all her self-control.
Shall we 60 upsta.rs?" she suggest
! ed, and a minute afterward she was
sweeping into the room in Asatha's
| wake. her tall figure erect, offering
| Hugh her finger tips.
On. Major Melville" she cried.
| and during the next few moments con-
versation seemed to flag. Hugh ap-
| peared to be suffering from the most
extreme depression. Elinor looked
bored ID death, and even Agatha was
tongue-tied, until she perceived the
urgent necessity of venturing re-
mark OF some kind.
"Elinor," she exclaimed, Hugh and
l have been having a small dispute
"Already?" asked Elinor.
about the color of a tiOWer'"
Einor turned her head languidly,
fixing her eyes on the large, shallow
bowl Of chrysanthemums in the mid
die of the table on her right hand.
Which oneo' she asked The enc,
answered Hugh, that l wore at Ju-
diths wedd.ns-the last time | was
here. you know"
Elinor litter her dark eyebrows.
Did you wear a flower" she inquir-
ed
"A pink rosebud" he returned.
II protest that it was white said
Agatha, congratulating herself on hav-
ing succeeded in breaking the ice.
You must both have really the
most marvellous memories answered
Elinor, in a tone which suggested con-
tempt
OBVIOUSLY one of them must be de-
fectiye." said Hugh
1T isn't mine" cried Agatha
consequently" Elinor insisted,
with the shadow Of a smile on her
lips, 1T must be yours, Major Mel
Vile"
Surely you recollect-'' said
Agatha, when her cousin peremptor
lily interrupted
Il really haven't the slightest recoI-
lection about it," she exclaimed.
Well" continued Agatha, Eat all
events, l remember that just as we
were to drink Judith's and Harold's
health, noticed that Hugh's rosebud
was missing. II had broken off short
at the stalk He pretended to be in
a sad state of mind about it, and sew
eral of us tried to find it for him
l reco,lect as we'll as if it were yes
terday."
My own mind is a perfect blank
said ElinOr, and then the butler again |
opened the door. I'm afraid" Eli |
nor explained. that you will have to
excuse ME. I have an appointment |
with MY dressmaker She is going |
to alter something for tonight and |
dare not keep her waiting. Is that
Nine. Pelisse. Rogers?' she asked.
Yes, miss
"Goob-by, Major MELVILLE she said.
"Oh," he returned, "but-but shall |
see you again
"Some day. perhaps, but I shall be
leaving London for a few months.
Good-by," she cried, walking toward
the door.
But, my dear child" said Agatha.
81 am going 70 make Hugh stay and
let me give him some tea. Make haste
and dispatch Nine Pelisse. You will
be back before he goes" On return
ing after closing the door, Hugh took
up his position with his back to the
fireplace. Agatha did not speak for
a few seconds, and then he breathed
a profoundly depressing sign:
"Of course said Agatha, such a
lapse of memory is very bad sign"
Well" he answered, Il fancy it is,
though for that matter feel half dis
posed to envy her."
"Now l wonder" she mumured,
whether you would thank me-"
What fcr?" he inquired perfume
torilv.
eff I convinced you that you have
made a great mistake? Because, tru-
ly the rose was white! You look"
she added, with a laugh. as if you
were not inclined to bless the poor
flower"
II imagined you were taking
about something else" he nuttered.
But still. l am convinced-in fact, I
would give any odds"
will you mind eXcusing me a
she cried, and once more
she left Hugh alone. While he stood
waiting in front of the nre Agatha
re-entered with small book in one
hand, substantially bound in black
morocco.
Are you going to convince me by
testifying on OATH" demanded Hugh