The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1913-03-15

n
Meved to be interested in Laura. Mrs.
Gaxard gives a big reception and Louie
meets many people high In the social
world
e CHAPTER v.-(Continued.)
NY courage came back. and l man.
ased to dislodge my tongue from the
roos OF my mouth and say something.
noticed the way she put it about
the Abercrombies, and began to feel
sorry that l had to tear Hap out OF
mar life for ever and give him to
acme other girl. But she was too old
Tar him: she looked like his big SIS
Tar | thought of that coffee at the
breakfast table while she chatted IN
4 droopy, bored fashion SO wholly
mart Of her 1t didn't appear In the
least as a pose ! knew she would
never pour coffee IN that dear homely
way for any man.
While l rather admired her and her
beautiful poise-opposites do attract
- could imagine the effect she had
on Mrs. Hazard. She wore jewels, a
great many of them, and very hand
some ones. although on her they did
not look offensive or even ostenta-
tious. She had certain eccentricities
IN wearing them. too, that were "a
ther fetching. One thing particularly
ahe affected bracelets and wore them
Al on one arm. They were very gilt
xery and handsome. but I can't say
particularly noticed the emerald brace
let that played such an important part
1l3erward.
She melted forward while trailed
|. boxing back now and again to see
that we hadn't lost Hap. ! didn',
know what moment some one -wouie
claim Natalie, and would be adrift-
Don't be afraid; you can't lose
me" Hap assured me as looked bacl
once more.
It wasn't exactly what he said. bu
the tone was so odd on the you" ant
-me" that l didn't look back again.
knew. though, he was just trying u
be kind, for OF course Natalie was II
4 his head. or his heart, or whereve
she was, and was perfectly fooiisl
thinking-anything!
She introduced me here and there
I wasn't brilliant: couldn't be, SKIP
ming from place to place. wa
examining names anyhow to remem
4 Der afterward. Many Of them wer
familiar, and I had only to pin then
to the individual for future reference
The older people put me at my cas-
and the younger ones upon my met
tie. Occasionally q very young cha
would frankly push toward US. ogl
me. shout q bid for a dance In tn
same breath he murmured my name
sigh Lovely weather." or "Awfu
1am!" and push on. began to EMO
myself, when l found that Hap wa
sticking close to me and that l didn
lose my head at impertinent remark
only intended to be witty.
Finally some one took Natalie ava!
and it Just happened that Hap and
were left alone. Our eyes followe
her retreating figure.
Were deserted" laughed. "br
II you'll find Mr. Abbott for me 20
may follow and get her back"
"Why do you think l want to 70
low" he asked. looking squarely II
to my eyes,
"Oh, don't your parted.
Il asked you why?" he laughe
-'but since you don't choose to answ'
me I'll answer you'll do not"
ITS awfully good Of you." I mu
INJURED, but II you'll find Mr.. Abbo
for me, or Mr.. Crowninshield-?"
do you want to get rid Of me
he demanded.
why, no." l replied. but I've prof.
Used your sister to look after N
Abbott SO he won't run away. and M
Crowninshield Is to tell me who eve
one is"
Il can tell you that, II you care
know" he persisted.
Why. l don't care" replied. "b
your mother wishes 1t. It's what I
here for" 1t was the first time Al
reference had been made to my pc
ton. l did 1t purposely. 1t was
good thing for him to remember. B
II you insist, you'll have a tiresor
time OF it. Remember I have Civ
you your chance to follow MI
Agasxix."