The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1913-08-16

steps from her father and the younger
gentleman who accompanied her. But
StantOn's eyes glinted cold resistance
Of the attempt at command He de-
liberately retained Jessica's hand
led her with him.
You called me, Miss Carlisle?" he
questioned Miss Floyd. let me in
troduce Miss Carlisle"
The two women bowed without eff
fusion. Valerie Carlisle scrutinizing
seized every detail of her appearance.
Miss Floyd, have we not metz" she
puzzled. Pardon, 1t seems SO to me-"
Probably you have met my twin
brother" Jessica suggested. gravely
self-possessed. He is much with
Mr. Stanton"
There was a shock Of antagonism
in their meeting gaze, as there had
been between Floyd and this girl
when he had seen her In the railroad
depot on The way to Lowell. Miss
Carlisle turned to Stanton. enlight-
ened.
"Oh, your mechanician; l remem-
ber."
MY friend and mechanician. yes"
he amended.
"Ah? But I am OBTAINING you'll
merely wished to ask If you had quite
recovered from your illness. When
you left US that night. never mag
ined you would try to race next morn
ing. And you should not have done
SO: 1t resulted in an accident"
! He opened his lips to deny that his
illness had caused the Mercury's mis-
hap, then paused. II he had not felt
the average irritability of strong man
sick, would he have quarreled with
| Floyd and taken his car around the
turn at such ruinous speed? He did
not know.
Il am perfectly well. thank you."
he answered, instead
Indeed. l am glad. VIII you not
come to see us soon-you owe US
dinner call. you know"
He did not echo her delicately ex-
pectant smile. his dark face hard.
you must believe my appreciation
OF the dinner without that Formally,
Miss Carlisle. I start for Indiana in
a few days." he regretted
Her amber eyes also hardened. sud
denly and strangely; she moved step
to retire. catching up her trailing
lengths Of satin and lace.
las you will. of course. All; we
found out what car wins when you
are taken from a race. Mr.. Stanton.
as at Lowell. And you judged wrong
1T was not the Duplex. but the Alta
lanta. Good night"
Stanton looked after her, amazed,
then abruptly turned his eyes to the
frank. steadfast face Of Jessica Floyd.
Come out in the fresh air." he re-
quested That perfume she wears
smothers one"
"Sandalwood." interpreted Jessica,
turning; she had her brothers habit
of instantly obeying a suggestion
And as they emerged: MAY l say
something interfering and imperti-
nent?"
What right have I to object to any
thing said to me? l show small grace
to others"
Then. pray do not go near Miss
Carlisle just before race"
He stopped short on the sidewalk.
"You know-you think"
Il know only what Jes knows" she
declared But think that Miss Car
Isle is not good for your racing. Some
people are naturally unlucky infiu-
ences. perhaps"
Stanton shook his head. unbesutled
by the pleasantly.
II understand what Floyd believes.
but 1t is impossible. absurd Besides,
it is to her interest for me to win:
the Mercury uses her fathers tires"
yes" agreed Jessica impersonally.
When he left her. in the family light
ed hall before the door OF her apart |
ment, she drew off her glove with a |
swift movement.
MY father used to say that one
only offered a covered hand to an en-
envy" she said half playful, half seri-
GUS Good night"
There was tinkling crash. before
he could reply. Stanton bent and re-
covered her wide silver bracelet, shak-
en- loose by her rapid gesture Of the
previous moment.
May ] put 1t on?" he asked.
But she held out her hand for the
trinket; in the dim light he could
nave imagined that she had become
suddenly agitated and hurried.
mo. 1t is too heavy" she declined.
Good night. l have enjoyed this eve
ming very much"