The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1907-04-27
Gust around to Morris for hal!

| Janet sewed quietly on, but if Lis.
combe had taken the trouble to study
her countenance he would have seen
| that her lips were compressed, and
her cheeks flushed deep red.
There were three or four genial
| and drouthy souls at Morris saloon
that evening. Gerald Dikeman YVES
there, the foreman in the nat ;na;tu-
featuring establishment where lis
| combe worked; Tom Daley. whose
wife took in sewing; old Mr.. Hop
good, whose scarlet nose betokcned
his diurnal habits with unfailine ac-
curacy, and Joe Ponsonbv, who wrote
reports for the Pocklington Gazette,
supplied the poets corner" and be-
lleved firmly in the Byronic theory
| that gin and genius went hand in
hand. And George Liscombe, sitting
| in their midst, was just commencing
his fourth game at poker when the
door opened, and Janet walked in.
Everybody stared around in sur.
prise. Liscombe dropped his cards.
Janet" he cried out.
Eyes, Mr.. Liscombe," said his wife,
unloosening her bonnet strings, with
deliberation.
Isis any one sick? Is it Bes.
sie?' questioned the husband.
Well, no one in Particular" Mrs
Liscombe calmly answered. Bessie
is a little inclined to Group, but
have left Mrs. Wingate with her."
Then what brings you hereo"
asked Liscombe, with gathering dis
pleasure
oh" retorted Mrs. Liscombe,
with defiant toss of the head, 81
was lonely at home, and l thought ]
might as well come around here
This is no place for woman"
said Liscombe, lowering his voice to
tone of angry remonstrance.
IF it's no place for a woman, it's
no place for man." said Janet. AT
all events, here l shall spend the
evening""
And leave your sick child?''
She is as much your child "a
mine," retorted Janet. Give me a
glass of Dublin stout, Mr.. Morris, if
you please
JANET gasped Liscombe, scarlet
with modification and anger
Let me alone said she, with an
impatient shrug OF the shoulders.
You drink, and shall claim the
same privilege. l am tired of sitting
tamely down by the fire. Henceforth,
when you SO out. I shall go, too"
Liscombe looked eagerly around
for his hat.
Give me my things, somebody"
said he. II believe the girl is crazy!
Janet, COME"
Mrs. Liscombe passed her arm
smilingly through that OF her nus.
bands.
"oh. certainly said she, "if you
are coming too
Janet" Liscombe angrily demand
ed, when the green baize doors oi
the liquor saloon had swung to be-
hind them, what does this mean?
Are you insane?"
IF there is any insanity in enter.
ing a saloon, there must be a good
deal Of lunacy at large" observed
Janet, calmly.
What do you mean by disgracins
me, them" he pursued, holly.
where's the disgrace?" ques.
toned Janet. preserving a marvellous
composure.
"A woman! in such a place as
that" he almost shouted.
rs it any worse than a man in
such place as that"
"Janet!'
"George!"
You are determined to drive me
frantic!" he uttered, clenching his
teeth.
Not at all, my DEAR" said Janet.
Il am only trying to keep from being
driven frantic myself! And, here
after, I wish you to understand that
l mean to accompany you to your
evening engagements, whether they I,
may lead you to theatre, billiard
room. or liquor saloon!"
Liscombe uttered a low exclama.
ton of rage and wrath.
Gently. my dear" said Janet. I'll
II is wrong for me it must be wrong
for you. II it disgraces a woman to
cross the thresholds of such haunts,
what must it be for a man? No,
George, for the rest of our lives it
must be share and share alike, no
matter where it leads u.s.
George Liscombe said no more.
He walked quietly home with his
wife, and sat silent and thoughtful
the rest of the evening. But the next
morning he kissed Janet, in the old,
lover-like fashion, before he went to
his work.