The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1912-02-17
Miss French
High Hopes

Miss French felt that she. the flattereC
recipient Of those precious conf
dences. might even be willing to &C
cept the name of Smithers In ex
change for hers. for such perfection
and virtue would come with It,
Miss French was passing a few
weeks at a health resort, There she
had fallen into the company OF Mrs
Smithers 30 much that she felt it was
no coincidence when she found Mrs
Smithers seated in her favorite corner
sewing or when she went for walk
to the springs and found Mrs Smith.
ers slowly moving thitherward, to be
easily overtaken
On all such occasions Mrs Smith.
ers reveled in blissful recollections
OF beauties OF her sons character or In
golden dreams of his future
Miss French listened with a f1utter-
ing bosom. 1t was not surprising that
her previously untouched heart throb-
bed deiiciously when Mrs. Smithers
told Of the chivalry in her son John s
nature. Did an act of bravery or hero
ism reach her ears, never was she at
a loss to recall something in John s
brief but brilliant career that put
the heroism Of others completely in
the shade. John was lover Of all
things noble. OF all good and true and
upright things. and he abhorred all
mean, weak and contemplate natures
as thoroughly IS he hated deceit
and sin.
II child crossed their paths Mrs.
Smithers saw In It. not her own pleas
ure and love In perfect childhood. but
Johns. John couldn', see child on
the street without stopping to speak
10 it. And generous! And kind! And
brave! And handsome. Oh. thoughts
Of John brough, tears to his mothers
eyes.
So when Mrs. Smithers pressed Miss
French's hand tenderly and whispered
IN voice trembling with emotion that
John was coming to see his dear moth
er the following week. and that Mrs.
Smithers looked forward to the Joy
If letting Miss French share the de-
lights of his presence. Miss French
pressed Mrs Snithers hand in return.
As she did SO she felt a thrill OF
and happiness cross her
leart
1t was most exciting and roman
ic to think that she was soon to
meet man who was almost, il not
quite, perfect.
The listened with something Of the
nothers own excited intensity for the
arriage wheels ON the day of Johns
rival. The thought even crossed her
mind that she ought to express her
ppreciation Of Mrs. Smithers for Civ
ng her this great pleasure. She pic |
ured herself as she might be in the |
uture. as blooming Mrs. Smithers. |
heltered and protected by John. the !
MY of all her friends, the possessor |
f absolute happiness.
Why did she feel so hopeful? Well |
admit Mrs. Smithers assured her that
ohm was SO attached TO his mother
hat he wouldn't dream of falling In !
I'VE without his mothers sanction?
And hadn't Mrs. Smithers looked
he world over in vain for wife
'orthy of John-looked until she was
lmOst tempted to admit that there
'asnt girl in the world capable of
ling that exalted position? But now
Then Mrs. Smithers had smiled
leaningly at Miss French and had
atted her hand Wasn't that reason
nough for Miss French to anticipate
perfect future?
When the carriage finally arrived
Iiss French watched with an intensity
lat hurt, as each passenger stepped
ut Of it. But when it was finally emp
ed she sighed deep, deep sigh OF
,gret.
He hadn't come.
She reached for Mrs. Smithers'
and to comfort the poor mother-but
was gone and so was Mrs. Smith
8.
With outstretched arms Mrs. Smith
g was racing down the walk toward
wiZened little man with a fast inc
'asing bald spot and a propensity for
I'D talk. who was pickering with the
liver over his fare and demanding
8 rights in high pitched voice that
Miss French Of a Punch and
ldy show. His mother reached John
.fore his transaction was completed
Id she threw herself into his arms be-
re he was aware Of her presence.
"Oh. hello. ma" he said, casually,
It in q penetrating voice. 1T was
'rt Of hard to get away-my books
dn't balance last night, and thought
hovn ~ .~,., ~.,~. ~.~.l -