The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1913-04-19

Gracious. Louie. that's the greatest
compliment he can pay you. You
play awlully good tennis I've been
watching"
Il thought so once" admitted, but
I've discovered that do everything
fairly and nothing we'll. The trouble
with ne. and I'm just finding it out,
is that | have generalized and not
specialized think Miss Agazziz was
rather cross at me for the muddle |
made of her no trumps last night"
She couldn't have done any better
herself, You couldn't help 1t If John
had fifteen Of suit, and got in"
She plays a rafting good game"
defended, and I'm sorry have to
help her lose her money"
And her future husband as WE'LL"
she tainted
Nothing Of the kind" denied He
was never engaged to her He told
me So
so. You're that far along" She
smiled mysteriously.
I'VE are not any far along" I
smiled back cheerfully Really, truly,
cross my heart. If you are so wise
you might see that If have designs
upon anybody it IS Charlie Aver"
That was jab l knew it went home
from the way she turned suddenly
and looked at me-
'You'.can't mean 1t, Loulie?" She
regarded me questioningly, but kept
smiling in vague sort of way. I
occasionally.
Haven't you noticed that encour-
age him."
Yes" she replied, land It's a shame
to f1irt with him. He's such a good
sort and so deadly serious. He's go
Ing to make some girl a good. gaddy.
rattle-brained husband"
That's exactly what | think"
laughed
But you. dear" She paused. dis
mayed. Il refuse to believe It,
want you in the family, anyhow. Be-
sides. Charlie is hanging around my
elbow. III refuse to give him up"
she fell so easily into the trap!
How very wise Mrs Hazard was, to
be sure.
Il thought you wanted Mr. Abbott?"
l said.
Il haven't decided"
It's a shame to flirt with him."
| quoted. Hes such a good sort,
and"
"Oh. Louie. shut up" she laughed.
You know he hasn't asked me-"
We'll, then, We could fight for Char
lie," | went on.
"All right. we will fight for him."
she answered, but feel desperately
sorry for Hap"
We went out through a den which.
she explained to me. was a sort of
sublimated card-room where the men
might play poker when the lights
were out, and the rattle of chips
would disturb no one. The outer door
Of the den opened upon a corridor
abutting the wing with steps leading
down to our floor and up to the pic
ture gallery. We went up.
l was amazed at the size of the gal
lery and the number of pictures 1t
contained. Men were upon ladders
removing the winter coverings and
revealing old masters. l felt as If
had stepped into corner Of the
Louvre, or come upon slice OF the
National Gallery.
Why, never quite comprehended
l said to Laura. Have the
newspapers ever had anything to say
'Oh, yes" she replied, "but there's
nothing actually remarkable here, Just
good things. Some are unknown.
some are even disputed. although my
father wanted them and bought them.
This Velasquez, for instance; looks
bad enough to he real, doesn't It?
Father always said it wasn't and be-
lieved 1t was. really don't know
much about pictures"
Il wonder your mother dare leave
these things here In the country with
only a caretaker," | remarked.
"Oh. there's no possible danger"
sue ISpileu, cACepI lIOHl IIc, anu Vi
course they're heavily insured Jen-
kins carries an arsenal around with
him and, wouldn't hesitate to shoot II
any one looked suspicious. The ma
lives here don't believe that about
The value"
But thieves?" | suggested "Alt
thieves? Perhaps you'd never know
It until you came back In the sum.
ner"
I'VE did worry once. but it's been
SO long ago now. OF course, since
father died the fame of these pictures
has rather died, too. They are just
here to his memory Isn't that Greuze
4 beauty? 1t always distresses me