The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1913-04-26

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we went toward the drawing room aft
er dinner
who is the duke in love WITH" she
wanted to know
Natalie" I replied
mot wants to marry" she qualified.
but cares for-loves?" :
If you mean anything horrid. clan
destine-why. l don't know anything
about it. and I don't think you have
| any business thinking such things"
She merely smiled at my outburst
is there picture gallery here?"
she asked presently.
Yes. Why"
"Oh. no reason particularly. There
always is in these houses. isn't there?'
No. There always isn't Every
body know. except the Hazards. have
their pictures in town"
louie. what was the name OF the
German count who took us to the
Spring Exhibitor"
Count Felix Won Drummer" I an
swered promptly.
l
racked my brain for an hour trying to
think of it."
l turned about and faced her.
Now look here. 10. you are making
me crazy with curiosity. You've asked
me three questions for no reason on
earth that l can see. and l want to
know why"
And you haven't asked me the one
question l expected you to ask" 10
smiled quizzically
Suddenly l thought Of it.
Where did you know John?" de-
handed
He has a client who wants to buy
our stock in the mine," she answered:
"a client who thinks he can pump it
dry"
Can 1t be done. Jo?"
II don't know" She laughed out
right at my excitement. HE wants
to buy up all the stock. He can get
it cheap, except ours. He offers US
five thousand dollars for 1t. It's worth
nothing unless the mine Is pumped.
er guessed who I was? And of course
l didn't tell him"
Gracious met" l exclaimed, rather
breathless at the prospect What
does Mr.. Partridge say?" -
Sell"
well. what are you-we-going ~
do? SELF"
I'D rather have the income" she
answered.
But there isn't any" pointed out
IF man knows-and he does know,
Loulie-that he can pump that mine
dry. can buy up all the stock practic-
ally for nothing. except ours. and he
lets our little bundle keep him from
pumping, he's crazy. And If he pumps
We will have an income. It's a gam
bler's chance, and am going to take
It,"
Yes, sounds gambly," commented.
What the poker players call a
bluff"
I'm not blufing-I'm standing pat"
10 reminded me. And I'm taking the
1
work of yours, dear. and these silly
accusations"
We had walked to the end of the
wide hallway, and l dropped down in
a window seat. grossly neglecting my
duties and forgetting that my tends
we're apt to get mixed. The prospect
of going back to that tidy little life
10 and l once led suddenly appalled,
me.
II don't want you TOTO end It,"
stammered. And seeing JOS amazed
expression, hurried on: Being Sec
rotary of Frivolous Affairs isn't Inn
portant, I know, but it's my life now.
can't go back to things as they were.
l would never be satisfied"
"You can't seriously mean that you
want to keep on with this? Being
a well-paid servant of the rich?" she
asked.
"Yes," admitted.
"rm sorry, DEAR" she said softly.
why sorry?" u
TITS dangerous!"
"Why dangerous? I'm quite capable
OF taking care Of myself. You said
So"
you're already in trouble"
Eyes, but my hearts broken now,
and there isn't anything more to wor.
ry about I'll never love any one else.
I have a good job. and-well, I'm go
ing to stick to it. And when the Haz-
ards don't want me any longer the
Dykemans do, and there's long list
of others l won't bother you to name.
I've made good in my job. which re-
minds me that II I don't go look after
it I may not have 1t very long"