The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1908-07-18

| Indeed! And are you Interested
in politics.
The child calmly sat down in big
chair opposite. His short legs stuck
out straight in fornt Of him. reveal
ing two very muddy little shoes.
We'll, I'm afraid don't know a
| great deal bout them-yet," he said,
modestly. Il think care more for
the navy" he added. re1ectiyely.
The little girl, emboldened at her
brothers example, came up and stood
by his side The visitor felt two
pairs Of eyes regarding her critically.
'Well?" she said, smiling.
Il like your face" said the hoy.
you must be an Englishwoman-
aren't you?"
YES"
Il thought So" said the small boy:
"theres-there's no country like
England" he added complacently.
There was the soft rustic Of skirts
behind them and lady came for.
ward.
Martha told me- she said, that
you were overtaken by the storm. |
was detained or should have been
down to welcome you before. trust
you have not found the waiting very
tiresome?"
The voice was polite and high-bred.
but In spite Of the words, it lacked
cordially.
The time has passed very quick
ly,' said the other woman, rising.
THE children and l were just agree
ing that there is no place like Eng
land"
Don't you want me to sing you
song? It's all bout England an the
n4vy, an'-"the boy piped up.
mo, Beresford, we do not. Nurse,
take the children away"
The visitor looked after them long
ingly and then turned to her hostess.
Il am greatly indebted to you for
this kindness" she began. MRS.
Fortesque-I think the children said
won't you let me give you my card?"
The other woman glanced at 1t list
lessly: then looked up hastily and
down at it again, and gave a little
gasp.
Not the authOr?" she asked.
Her visitor smiled quietly.
Il believe it is" she said, and then
she wished that she had never intro
duced herself. or at least had given
an assumed name. Not that the host
ess had been anything but polite be-
fore she knew; but the stranger could
not help noticing that the tone of cor
diality lacking before was very much
In evidence now. Then, too, she won
dered II her damp ulster would have
been taken on to be dried, and the af-
ternOon tea served SO delightfully."- in
the oriel window Of the drawing room
ii she had just been a plain Mrs.
Somebody or other, overtaken by the
storm, instead OF the famous author
whose work was the talk Of two con-
tfnents. The name seemed to mean
SO much to every one else and SO lit
- to her.
For an hour they talked-these two
women. And one Of them leaned for
ward eagerly and listened to the stor-
les Of travel and famous people, while
the other now and then turned her
eyes wistfully in the direction from
whence came the children's voices.
And then. just before it set. the sun
broke out in a blaze Of splendid glory
and the older woman rose and held
out her hand.
Thank you so much" she said, "for
your hospitality. And now. good
bye"
You must not mention it. Estelle
is coming with your coat, and I have
ordered the carriage to drive you to
the station. | am sorry that cannot
60 with you myself"
You are very kind" said the older
woman. and then she paused. Per
haps the children would care to take
the drive?" she suggested a little fear
fully.
The mother hesltated.
1T Is their tea time" she said, a
little doubtfully, hut II you really
care to have them will let them have
this treat once. since It Is you. You
are sure they will not bother you?"
"Bother!" the older woman laughed
little sadly. 1T would be the great
est pleasure in the world"
And You will come again, hope?"
the younger woman asked, following
her out to the door.
The stranger turned and looked
about her: at the brier rose hedges
and the old manor house and the /
beautiful woman who was mistress
of It all, and then back at the eager.