The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1907-07-20
The Kidnapping of George Selby
By w. R. ROSE

IS that you, Martin Henley? What
you doing here? Maxim love to my
sister? She don't want nothin' tc
do with you. She's got her dear
brother to look after. Good night
Martin Henley, goo night He
lurched toward the sofa and fell
upon it heavily.
Martin Henley, his eyes avoiding
those of the girl, passed into the hall
The girl followed him. He turned
quickly as they neared the outer door
"You say the only hope for George
is new scene and new surround
ings?"
Yes" she whispered
Come back here, sister," the profit
gate called Il need you Don't you
hear me? need you" And the
maudlin voice trailed off in a dis
| cordant song
Martin Henley put out his hand
"Goodby, Martin
And he was gone
If he could have looked back into
the hallway he would have seen the
girl leaning against the wall and sob
bling as if her heart would break
Quite unconscious of this, however,
he strobe along. a new and strange
idea dulling the pain OF the departure.
The idea still held possession of his
mind when he entered the telegraph
Office and penned his dispatch accept
ing the Egyptian offer.
When tea time came the next day
and George did not return. Margery
Selby felt little anxiety He was an
ldler and came and went as he chose
When the small sums of money she
allowed him were spent he usually
wandered home. Ordinarily he had
enough sense to seek his home before
he was too stupeied to find it.
When he did not return at II
o'clock the girl began to worry a lit
tie. Going to the front windows she
peered out into the street A boy was
coming through the gateway. The
lamplight shone on the brass badge On
MS cap. Margery hurried to the door
and trembling read the telegram that
was handed her
This was the message it brought:
Have kidnapped George. Am try
ing the only hope. Don't worry
Martin Henley.
The telegraph fluttered from her
hands. Then she stopped and picked
1t up. 1t came from New York
At 4 o'clock the next day Margery
received another message.
Just boarding a Mediterranean
steamer. Everything hopeful
Margery drew long breath of re-
lief. Somehow these messages inspir-
ed her with dawning belief that
Georges regeneration might be brought
about. But was it possible? Could
anything short of miracle reclaim
this human wreck? She shuddered IS
she recalled the awful struggle when
they had tried to keep the liquor
from him. And yet somehow she felt
thrill of confidence in the clear
headed splendid fellow who had taken
this burden on his broad shoulders
He was doing it for her sake. And ne
had done it after she had virtually re-
pulsed his love-
The days wore away and it was al
most a month later before Margery
received the first letter. 1t was dated
at Gibraltar.
We have been buffeted about by
Martin wrote. land both of |
us have suffered somewhat in conse-
quence. 1t is too early yet to talk
about results, but have not lost hope
In the success of the experiment. No |
doubt you are wondering how l con-
trived to kidnap George, but it wasn't
very difficult. I lured him away at
time when he scarcely realized where
ne was going. And when he awoke he
was in New York 1t was a harder
matter to get him aboard the steamer.
but finally succeeded, am sorry to
Jay that he does not appreciate the
Efforts | have made in his behalf. In
act, he regards me as his bitterest en-
.my. Perhaps this feeling will wear
lway. You may rest assured that
t will make no difference in my feel
ng toward him. And whether he likes
ny company or not he will have to en-
lure it. | will write again when W.