The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1907-01-05

How the year must nave changed her
He wondered if she still smiled The
fly jolted into the narrow High street
and he saw her coming out OF the post
office.
Yes. she still smiled-the smile
that irradiated her face and made
him forget everything else They
stood outside the postoffice together.
clasring hands once more.
"You. what are you doing here?"
she cried.
Il was just going to see you: I've
lust come from the station. How are
you: You look very we'll"
I'm all right Are you back for
good?"
Eyes, left Paris few days ago"
Did you stay on at the pension"
''Oh. no: gave that up soon alter
you went
you've finished your book. eh?'
Chow did you know"
81 saw something about it in a paper.
| And hOw's Paris? | dream I'm back
sometimes"
! Paris is just the same"
Il suppose you never saw anything
! of the others afterWard-kltty Owen
! or the MacAllister sirl?
! mo, | never came across any OF
| them--I was working very hard. Well?
| Tell me things: what's the news?
You're still at The school them
No
"
way there. What are you DOING
! I'm married.
The blood sank from his cheeks.
Married."
'I've been married four months.
A woman came between them to post
a letter. and he was grateful for the
! interruption Let me congratulate
! you"
! Thanks. My husbands a solicitor
/ here You'll come and see us?'
/ I'm afraid | should have been
delighted, OF course. but | have to be
| in town again this evening.
Wed better move-we're in every
| body's way" she said. will you walk
on with me? When does the book
! come out?'
In few weeks time-l'l send
| Il copy to you"
Really? 1t would be very good of
YOU I've often looked at the book
! Have you? l was afraid you'd
! forgotten all about me. You-you
might have written again; you prom
ised to write?"
Il know"
! why didn't you?"
What was the goOd?"
1T would have made me happier.
I missed you frshtiully. II think
! that was why left the pension.
couldn't stand it when you'd gone. :.
! Well, are yon happy
"Oh. | suppose So"
I'm glad"
so you won't come and see us?'
It's impossible. I'm sorry to say. :.
. AS matter of fact. | didn't mean to
see you again at all
That's pretty compliment"
"Ah. you know what l mean-it
seemed better that l shouldn't. But
=. think I'm glad l did don't
know, I've wondered sometimes
whether you understood. We
shan't meet any more. and l should
| like to know
Don't" she exclaimed, thickly.
For heavens sake"
! Il must" said Wendover-"I love
you dearly
They had walked some yards before
she answered.; her voice was a whis.
per: whats the use of saying that to
me now" The bitterness of suffering
was in the words-they fared the truth
ON him, the brutal. annihilating truth.
MY Cod" he faltered. would 1t
have been any use them"
Her ,face.~WaS cOlorieSS. She didn't
speak
"Rhcda, did you care? If-if l had
asked you to stay with me, would you
have stayed?'
Il don't know"
Tell me-"
Yes. then, would have stayed"
she said, hoarsely. Whom should
have hurt? | was alone; l had no one
to study but myself l wanted you to
ask me. Stayed? I'd have thanked
God if you had spoken! You were
blind; you wouldn't see. And now
when it is too late, you come and say
it,"
Il wanted to be straight to you." he
grOaned. Il sacrificed my happiness
to be straight to you-it was damnably
hard to do
Il know. But | didn't want sacri.
fices-I wanted love. Oh, it's nc
good our talking about it," She stop
| ~~l cir hall hDt