The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1912-06-15
CHAPTER 1.
Dan Blair.


IT his uncomfortable slang. was In
comprehensibe did not take from the
charm OF his conversation as FAR as
IN. duchess OF Breakwater vas con
earned. The brightness OF his express
zion. bis quick. clear look upon them
his beautiful youne smile, his not too
frequent laugh. b new gayness. as
thu duchess called his spirits. his su-
peruai youth, his difference, credited
him with what nil e-tenths OF the hu-
man race lack-charm
His tone was not too crudely west
sru: neither did he suggest the ultra
sast with which hey were familiar.
American women went down well
enough with them. but American men
we're unpopular. and when the visitor
arrived Lady GalCrey did not even an
uounce him to the party gathered for
tho first shoot"
The others were 4 the armory when
the ninth gun. young chap, six feet
Of him, blond as the wheat. clearly set
up and very good to look at. came in
with Lily. Duchess Of Breakwater,
Lady Galorey. his hostess. greeted
them
oh, here you are. are you? Lord
Mersey, Sir John Fairthrope" She
mumbled the rest of the names OF her
companions as though she did not
want them understood. then waved to-
ward the young chap, calling him Mr..
Dan Blair. and he, as she hesitated,
added:
Prom Blairtown. Montana"
And give him gun, will you. Cor
dom" Lady Galorey spoke to her
husband
! discovered Mr.. Blair. Edie." the
duchess announced, land he didn't
even know there was a shoot on for
today FANCY"
4 guess" Dan Blair said pleasant
y, TIL take gun out of this bunch"
and be chose one at random from sew
sral Indicated to him by the game
Keeper Il get my best luck when
90 1t blind. Right, Thanks. That's
%, Lady Galorey, / didn't know there
vas to be any shooting until the Ouch
- let It out"
TO himself he thought with good ma
tursd amusement. Afraid I'll spoil
tneir game record. maybe," and went
out along with them. following the in
sular noblemen like a ray of sun.
smiling on the pretty woman who had
discovered him in the grounds where
% had been poking about by himself.
Where. In heavens name. did YOU
'corrar-word of his own-the dear
boy. Edith? How did be get to Os-
osns Park. or in fact anywhere, Just
. 10 Is. fresh from Eden?"
Thought I'd let him take Won nv
surprise. dearest Where'd you find
DAM
Down BY the garden house. feeding
inc rabbits. on his knees like q little
ooy' Dis hands full Of lettuces. I'd
1us' come cropper myself on the
mare She fell. I'm sorry to say. Edie.
sao hacked her knees quite a lot. Ono
o. nose disguised bitches, you know.
was coming along leading her when
! ran on your friend"
Tue young duchess was slender as
snlo~. very brunette, with a beauti-
'ui discontented face
I'm going to show Dan Blair on"
Eoy dalorey responded, going to
s've the debutantes a chance"
racidly nodding, the duchess 1T a
cigarette and began quoting from Dan
o'airs conversation u fancy no
busy" A'i'' ne 'oo
lou mean that you're going to
teep him occupied
Inc duchess didn't notice this.
ne such a catch?"
"e'tner Of the women had walked
". with the guns The duchess had
oao FOOT, and Lady Galorev never
.en. anywhere she could helm with /
.s' husband. She now drew her chair
~ 70 Inc table in the morning room, !
~ "nich they had both gone after the
AZ or the guns. and regarded .
a.. satisfaction a quantity Of sta
s svuefy and the red leather desk ap
continents. go -
Slt down and smoke ~ Won ,,ho
=. IN going to I'll out some lists
NO thanks, I'm going up to my
h ous and get Parkins to massey this
loot OF mine must have fan
p,,, W H. But tell me first, is MIR.
6iair a CATCH"
.aoy Galorey had opened an ad-
espy: - ''oAi = -