The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1907-07-20

| ing 10 order q breakfast such as
would please my little 3aGct-e: / hello
consultation with Lucas, my oil str.
want, and W chry3 those dishes thlt
the child was fond Of | also put
| aside for her two little trinkets, 4
pretty porte5onheur, and locket con-
tanning my own likeness.
,, Poor little Babette. She was bless
cd with the happy ignorance Of a
child Of seven, and yet she was pre-
cocious enough to understand, in her
own way, that there was something
serious the matter between papa and
mamma
At ten o'clock precisely she came,
accompanied by my mother-in-law's
maid, who said she would return for
her charge at two in the afternoon.
Who can say where and how little
girls acquire tact? They must be
born with a germ of it. and, when de-
veloped, it makes them either women
of the world, capable of reading ones
secret thoughts. or else gentle. patient
nurses for the sick and wounded. Bah
cite asked me no questions. but kiss
ed NE rather gravely; sat on my knee
before the fire, as was her custom,
and, when l gave her the locket, press
ed my likeness to her lips. then hung
it around her neck, whispering:
Il will kiss it every morning and
every night
When We had finished breakfast,
however, she said, abruptly:
DO you know mamma is coming
here at four o'clock?"
Yes, my dear l answered
Are You not going to wait and say
good BY to her?" she asked And af
ter an instant's hesitation, said:
Il cannot. l have to leave the
house at three; the train will not wait
for me-"
why can't you take another train?"
she persisted.
"Because-because I have promised
to so by that train, and I must not
break my word, you know
Then, forgetting her presence,
added, half aloud: And yet, il 1
could but see her alOne.
Babette said nothing more, and
While | continued my preparations for
going away, she wandered all over
he silent house collecting her play
hings, coming back occasionally with
! doll or little box of treasures,
md looking unusually serious.
Her behavior wounded my paternal
owe, for it seemed as if she were
lready Indifferent to oar approach
ng parting.
All too soon the servant came to
AXE my darling from me. and | need
d all my fortitude when we kissed
ach other for the last time. Never
hould We meet again in cur home.
he time dragged after she had gone,
ut at last the clock struck three.
hen | sent my servant for a car ;
age, and, while he was gone, l went ,
ito the bedroom and stood looking .
beautiful portrait of Helen, paint
when she was young girl. 1t be-
nged to her, SO that could not take
with me; and, as | gazed at it, my !
'ars burst forth and l cried aloud
Forgive me.' .
A slight noise startled me, and ;
rning around l saw Helen standing :;
the doorway, pale and agitated. In
! instant | was on my knees before
n, pressing her hand to my lips, and r
You have come an hour too soon =
les this mean that you love me :
ILL.," .
and fearful. she replied: =
You have stayed an hour too long :,
by have you done sO-What is the ,
e?'
Just then Babette danced into the ;,
ON, and clasping her arms around =.
r necks, exclaimed delightfully."-: ;,
Il Cid it, mammal put the clocks
ok, papa" "
Of what avail are legal papers and :,
lgazine against the power Of loves II
rdon. | went on my journey, but "a
the company OF Helen and Babette
NY wife ard child.-Americau Guilt ~
tor. ~,
al
Telephone Fright. h.