The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1912-04-06
lashes wet. but her dark eyes sparH-
ling with mischief. -,

lashes wet. but her dark eyes sparx-
ling with mischief. -.
"Oh. she won't care 30 far as you
ferently But suppose she will
think | am perfectly horrid. Well.
don't care if she does: she might
have waited and learned the truth
first Wasn't her face a study? And
how shall ever explain to Arthur so
that he will understand? I'm sure |
have got the worst of 1t, Oh, Captain
Wayne. Is my hair all ruffled up?
know | look like fright You must
come in now. and we will explain to
Mrs. Brennan the whole matter. She
cannot help believing US both. while
proud to me alone.
shook my head decisively. Per
haps it was better ended so. at least
| possessed no courage just them to
face her Indignation. She might but
deem we had concocted our explanar
ton. and would very likely receive 1t
with all the scorn she felt 1t deserved.
Besides. II was clear there was moth
ing | could do to aid them. | should
be now merely an unwelcome intru-
der An escort was to be there short.
ly to convoy them northward. and for
Brennan would only inflame him and
add greatly to the embarrassment OF
his wife's position. Much as | might
long for immediate vindication In her
sight. the plain duty of true love was
to depart at once. and permit time to
straighten out the tangle.
You must pardon me-" I FASTENED
to say. standing hat In hand before
her. but 1t would not be best for
me to intrude upon Mrs. Brennan aft
er her late reception. | merely halt.
ed here in order to assure myself OF
your presence and safety. My men
are even now waiting for me tew
hundred yards away"
But | wish you to meet Arthur"
"Oh. think not. Miss Minor. | feel
warm friendship for Lieutenant Cation.
but we wear different uniforms. serve
here. both with armed forces behind
US. would naturally have to be hos
tile one However the Lieutenant and
might consent to temporary truce.
his superior officer. Major Brennan.
would not likely prove OF the same
mind"
Then you really must go?'
Unless you specially desire to wit
ness a cavalry skrmish In your front
dooryard, certainly consider 1t best"
and | held out my hand. Surely we
part as friends. and | may hope that
you will intercede in my behalf With
Mrs Brennan?"
She rose up impulsively.
How ridiculous: how supremacy RI.
diculous! Why. of course will.
though don't suppose Edith really
cares very much. but she believed 1t
would be highly proper to be shocked
don't think she likes you SO very
we'll anyway Captain Wayne. for she
never will talk about you"
With these cheering words ringing
in my ears. and feeling thoroughly Do
feated in every cherished hope. !
strobe savagely down the long hill and
mounted my horse How roughly for
tune had suffeted me. to be sure. and
how extremely small the inspiration
left. Well. perhaps ] deserved It for
ever permitting myself to love ono
whom I knew to be the wife OF an
other Doubtless she had seized upon
this slight pretext to be rid OF me.
and was already rejoicing over tts
easy accomplishment.
In my agitation | forgot entirely the
presence of Maria Bungay at tho
house. and ordering my men into sad
die prepared for departure without
giving thought to the little fellow
and his domestic troubles. ! chose
the road leading toward the north
west, for although had not asked the
question | conceived II highly probable
that Brennan and his party would ride
from the Federal calvary quarters at
Golfers Church, and | had no desire
to meet them. They were upon an
errand of mercy of far greater tmpor'
lance than my revenge
As we swung along through tho
heavily timbered land fringing our
road. Bungay pressed his mule into
trot and finally succeeded In ranging
up at my side Even in my disturbed
mental condition was amused at his
UNIQUE style of riding. although
would not wound him by laughing.
tTO BE CONTINUEDJ
0oA'a ConundruN,,