The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1907-05-18

''ePrhaps your thoughts we're ether
wise engaged. must apologize for not
returning this before" he added, hand
inc her the sheet of paper. but it was
only yesterday that i discovered who
the writer was
Now the carEine wave flooded her
arms. her neck, and her soft rel lips
parted in utter CONSERVATION Il sel.t
you that" she stammered. "Oh-whGt
could-what could you have thought"
Il don't exactly know what | thought
when | got it first he said slowly,
but now-I am only deeply sorry for
the persoa for whom it was really in
tended. Poor chap. Is there really
no chance for him at all?'
''Oh, none. Not the very slightest"
She laughed q short, gurgling little
laugh.
You have no pity for him at alp"
he asked.
Not the very SLIGHTEST" She laughed
still more. But, Captain Burtonn," she
asked apprehensiyely. when she had re-
covered enough to speak, you-you
will never telio'
Certainly not he said. coldly;
the incident IS quite safe with me-"
They had been left behind a the pic
nic, to which Burton had reluctantly
consented to so. He had cordescended
to eat ar i2digestible luncheon on a
hard. grassy seat and hot sun strik-
Ing full in lis face
AfterwaTG. he had escaped with his
pipe, TO get 9 li.tle peace while Syl-
Via had been taken to wander by Ar
chic Trevor, who. however. had re-
turned to tie general RENDEZVOUS alone,
and in the rush ior the train her alb
selce had not seen remarked by any
more than that OF Burton. the other
derelic, who now came back frcm his
solitary ralnble, to ind her gazing
hopelessly after the retreating train.
There is no other till the mail
passes tonight" she cried; what are
we to do?"
They had scarcely spoken since the
night OF the dinner party, when she had
disguised him with her callous want
Of consideration for the feelings of the
rightful recipient OF the letter which
had reached him by mistake
We must see il there is any other
conveyance to lee had he said. We
are only fifteen miles from home as the
crew flies. They may let us have
trap at the hotel. Anyhow, the first
thing is to so and dine"
She looked at him with perturbed
eyes. They were pretty eyes. he
thought.
I'm very hungry. But can l dine
there-alone with your"
Starvation excuses anything" he
said He felt c;lriously light hearted.
1t was quite merry little repast
they had at the inn. AS they slipped
their coffee, while the horse which was
to convey them across country was be-
ing put in. he asked, by the bye, what
became Of Trevor? Surely you were
with him."
She flushed. her eyes cast down, so
that their long lashes swept her cheek.
He was silly. sent him on alone
"Ah, poor chap. l see. You seem
rather fond Of refusals. How about the
other? Is fate still unkind?" .
Il hoped" she smiled. you had for
gotten all that nonsense.'
II want you to tell me something"
lie said, abruptly. sylvia, I'm tired
of calling you that only to myself.
Are you still ensaged?'
Il never was engaged" she laughed.
Never. Then why did you refuse,
and say
Il refused no one Oh. how can |
explain? There was no one ever ex-
cept Archie today. 1t was all-oh-
how silly it seems, nothing but play"
''Then if | were to ask you, you
would not refuse me-"
And as his arm swept round her, and
his lips touched hers she whispered,
Society.