The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1908-03-07
Ole
Printers Mistake.
By J. H. Wadsworth.

I BY }. II. w a0SW0sn'
ITS no use, Edna, the Lord never
meant me to be very happy IN TINS
world. I'll have to take what can
get and be thankful"
The two girls were directly opposite
types. Eleanor was tall, graceful, hign
strung. nervous, full of life and ener-
py. Her mostsattractive features were
her eyes. dark and deepset, with a
longing, unsatisfied expression. Edna
was a type much less interesting, cold.
phlegmatic and clear sighted; much
smaller woman, too, with coloriess
gray eyes.
On the bed lay lingerie Of the most
alluring kind, the sort of things that
only woman can appreciate. Pile up
on pile Of lacy stuffs were scattered
about the room. Surrounded by these
pretty things that women love sat
Eleanor Godfrey, who tomorrow would
be the bride of Tom Grant.
There's one thing I can never re-
greet" she said. Il told Tom every
thing before he took me. It was bru-
tally frank, l admit, to tell your future
husband that the best love of your life
had been given to another"
"Poor boy" murmured Edith.
Poor boy, indeed. Don't l have to
live with him? Don't have to see
him waste his life? And it is nothing
that I have to exc out an existence
crushing down my signs, forcing back
my tears?"
Edna sat, she put her hands on a pair
Of very unsympathetic shoulders.
How can you Judge? You do not
know the case. Now listen. Every
breath I breathe, every prayer I utter,
every breath Of my aching heart is for
Jack Winston. I've loved him ever
since was a little girl. but you see
could not very we'll marry him be-
cause he never asked me. Then. too,
Jack is SO poor, and all my life I've
been longing for things that Tom
Grants money will buy for me. l
don't deceive him. l said couldn't
love him; but he, still knowing this,
wants to marry me, and l accepted.
Now Judge me il you will.
Edna Strengthened up bit, and the
lines about her mouth seemed to grow
deeper In an instant.
Zone question, please, before I rem
der the verdict. You take upon your
soul the wrecking of this mans exist
ence. You will suck the honey from
the flower Of his life and leave him
nothing but the stem. This is easier
for you than being an old maid.
Then, too. supposing that Tom was
in love with some other girl?"
II plead guilty to the charge, Judge.
and accept the sentence Of the court.
Your logic is getting stale; SO let's 90
to bed that may get my beauty sleep
and make q handsome bride. Think
Of It, dear girl. tomorrow at this hour
my visiting cards will read, Mrs.
Thomas Kemp Grant
The next morning was colorless, the
air heavy: In fart, just the sort Of day
to make . bride look out of the win
dow and wonder II she really were
superstitious.
It was about 8 o'clock and Tom was
whistling one minute and singing the
next. He walked into the bedroom
where his friend and best man lay
peacefully sleeping.
Get up, you lazy vagabond. We
can't keep the bride waiting, you
know. That's her privilege.
The best man rubbed his eyes
growled a bit, and finally crawled out.
Tom was practically ready. Aftel
working about an hour on it, he hat
managed to arrange his white puff til
to lis entire satisfaction. He had but
toned and unbuttoned his waistcoa
until his thumbs were blistered. H,
had pulled 1t down in front and buck
led It at the back until the seam!
threatened to give way.