The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1908-01-11


you, you might have the common po-
likeness TO answer.
Sir Thomas, Quiverins with astonish-
ment. felt compelled to intervene.
This is really monstrous-
monstrous," he declared with agitation
Il must insist, sir-I must really in
sist on your ceasing to annoy this
lady"
The Bounder uttered low whistle of
amaZement We'll. I'm jisgered. he
said, thoughtfully.
The girl smiled.
1T is extraordinary continued Sir
Thomas. gaining courage. And | OBJ
ject-I distinctly object TO being an
moved by such exhibitions of ulgen-
tlemanly obtrusiGn."
The Bounder gaZed through the Win
dow. and Sir Thomas noticed, Will in
dignation. that he was grinnlnS, He
turned to receive the approval OF the
girl and to assure her by an eloquent
glance of his continued protection.
II am afraid you are under a ms
apprehension, she said. gently. Tint
gentleman is my cousin. We are tra'-
cling together-at least, as far as Rug
by"
Sir Thomas shriyelled up. so sor-
ry. wasn't aware . . apologize
:" he murmured, and plunged pro
foundry into his paper. For the re-
mainder OF the run to Rugby he was
assuring himself Indignantly that 1t
was an iniquitous thing for two peo-
pie who knew each other intimately to
meet as if they were perfect strangers.
At Rugby the Bounder ali3hted and
beckoned to a porter. Then he nodded
in a casual way to his cousin and DIS
appeared
He is Bounder." said Sir Thomas,
mentally He was surprised to hear
the girl speaking to him.
1T is only his manner" she said.
| confidentially He doesn't mean any
thing"
Quite So" said Sir Thomas. He did
Aot desire to talk.
Cousins" said the girl. ARE gener-
ally rather stupid, when they are not
engaged. Don't you think So?
II am afraid have not studied the
question" said Sir Thomas. curly.
II wonder" said the girl, If you
would mind getting me sandwich? l
an really ridculously hungry"
Sir Thomas groaned inwardly. but
! he rose and departed On his mission.
You had better buy two sand
wiches." said the girl, putting her head
! through the window, and glass OF
| milk. please"
Sir Thomas nodded He could not
/ trust himself to speak.
! When he reached the refreshment
/ buffet he felt shat his nerves needed
strengthening. Thin he rctu. with
he milk and sandwiches, Tor which
he was thanked ngetti!y.
DO You know" said the girl. when
he train had lestarted. Il -, her like
YOU" She attacked the seco-d sand
!. wich
! Sir Thomas felt alarmed Why should
he submit to being liked by pretty and
unknown girls in smoking compart-
ments?
Put I'm afraid You have q bad tcm-
per-" she added. examining his face
carefully You have. haven't you"
Sir Thomas said no;Ling: he was
reading.
DO put away tina horrii Ta~nr.." she
said pers,lasively. Il am sure you have
read ii from end 10 end Al least thrct
times Put it away. and be rice, ant
talk to me-
My dear madam" he began.
Il know what you want" she said
suddenly. How very stupid of me-
OF course, YOU are dying for cigar
assure you don't mind it bit. real
ly. In fact. | sometimes smoke my
self. Should shock you very much i
| had a cigarette now?''
"This--ah-is q smoking compart
ment," Sir Thomas observed. "Ther'
is 10 reason, believe, why travellers
in a smoking compal tmenj should-ai
refrain from smoking.
The girl produced dainty case tool
out a cigarette. and lit it. Sir Ihoma
lit q cigar.
Then she began to talk. 1t was cas-.
for him to make mental reservations
but she didn't mind She went On talk
ing She told him, progressing by gen
tie stages. astounding and lneredlbl
things, until he gaSped with amaze
ment She revealed to him from tn
depth of her imagination) how tn
modern girl lives or desires to live
She related without apparent effor
her strange histories of several OF he
friends. Then she explained to hir
lightly and brightly many importar
points in literature, and music, ar
nolitiCS and snOrt-eSpeCiaily IN hOrSf