The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1908-04-04

sadly neglected during the past three
weeks.
II was just reading the paper to
Mrs. Lyon and Mamie" he continued,
as Hollis took the seat they prOffered
him.
Have you seen this editorial in the
'Tribune?' The one on grain specula-
ton. 1t is a capital thing-my senti
ments exactly. This gambling in pro-
visions is a monstrous outrage. Mr..
Craig. | don't approve of speculation
in any form; but if men want to gam
BILE in stocks, let them, say. It's only
when they want to touch food pro-
ducts that l think we ought to put
on the legal brakes"
isn't it dreadful" Mamie said,
turning to Hollis with tears in her
eyes. This grain corner, or, whatever
you call it, has put up the price of
-four SO that poor people can't afford
to buy bread
EYES," cried the old man, indignant
ly. Think of it! These capitalists are
starving the masses. That's how they
make their money. Seventy-four thou
sand bushels of potatoes have just
come owe: from Scotland in the
steamer Thetis With millions of acres
of wheat in the country, and stu
pendous surplus for export, the peo-
pie find it cheaper to live on import
ed potatoes than to buy -four at the
fancy prices 1t now commands. Hun
ger and privation everywhere, a ia
mine in the midst Of plenty. 1t is
monstrous, say-it is crime"
Hollis turned red and white and
then red again.
1T is very distressing!" he muir
INJURED family. feeling as though he
were personally denounced.
If that aspect Of the question had
ever presented itself to his mind, he
had not given it moments thought.
Mr.. Lyons forcible utterances had
overwhelmed him.
There ought to be law against
this sort Of thing the old gentleman
began again; but servant interrupted
him with the announcement that
some one wanted to see him at the
door.
A few moments afterward Mrs. Lyon
heard him calling Neither" and fol-
lowed him out into the hall. Thus
Hollis was left alone with Mamie;
but, for the life of him, he could not
utter word.
isn't 1t dreadful?" she said for the
second time. Il don't think truly
honest man would have anything to
do with the manipulation Of grain, do
your
"Oh, yes!" Hollis answered, with a
natural constraint. But tit is not
customary to take such extreme
views"
"Extreme!" she cried, with panied
surprise. do you call them that?
think the facts of the case only admit
of one view. The capitalists are max
ing money by methods that entail
endless hardship on the poorer class
es. 1t is all wrong! For my part, I
wouldn't trust man who lent him
self to any such practices"
Hollis WINGED. He made no reply
for while, and Mamie picked up her
embroidery, which lay upon the table.
In other words" he said slowly,
screening his face with his hands, you
would not respect such man; or, let
US say, you would not marry him no
matter who he was?"
mo, indeed:" Mamie said, temphat-
ically. Il could not touch money made
in such manner"
Hollis had turned very pale, and
his hand shook.
In this one mighty effort to win her
he had wrecked his only chance!
Then you would not marry me?"
he cried. hoarsely. starting to his
feet. II am grain speculator-one of
the men you denounce. Mamie,
love you, heaven knows how we'll! 1t
was love of you that led me to this.
was poor; made thousands in this
one venture. Tonight came here to
ask you to marry me; but now"
Now" she echoed. giving him
look of scorn and panied surprise, Il
would not marry you though you were
a millionaire! l would not have be-
lieved this of you, Hollis Craig!"
He turned with a dark flush upon
his face. and left the house.
'Goodby!" he said, huskily. Il
have staked all-even honor-and
lost!".
When Ae had gone, Mamie burst
into q passion Of tears.
''Oh, Hollis, Hollis!" she sobbed.
How could you?"