The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1914-11-14

cling white throat.
Unconsciously Courtlandt sighed au-
dibly, and Mrs. Harrigan heard this
note of unrest.
who Is that?" asked Mrs. Harrigan.
"Fbra Desimone's husband, the
duke. He and Mr.. Harrigan were hav-
ing quite a conversation in the smoke
ROOM"
What" In CONSERVATION.
They were getting along finely
when left them"
Mrs. Harrigan felt her heart sink.
The duke and James together meant
nothing short Of catastrophe; for
James would not know whom he was
addressing. and would make all man
ner of condolences. She knew some
thing would happen If she let him out
Of her sight. He was eternally talking
to strangers.
Would you mind telling Mr.. Harri-
gan that l wish to see him?"
mot at ALL"
Nora stopped at the end of the ball
room. Donald, let us go out into the
garden. l want breath of air. Did
you see herr"
Couldn't help seeing her. 1t was
the duke, l suppose. 1t appears that
he is an old friend Of the duchess
Well go through the conservatory It's
a shortcut"
The night was full of moonshine; it
danced upon the water; it fired the
filigree tops of the solemn cypress; 1t
laced the lawn with quivering
shadows; and heavy hung the cloying
perfume of the lockwood hedges.
20 bellissima notta!" she sang. els
1t notnglorious?"
Nora" said Abbott leaning sud-
denly toward her.
Don't say 1t, Donald; please don't.
Don't waste your love on me. You
are a good man, and l should not be
worthy the name Of woman If l did
not feel proud and sad. l want you
always as a friend; and II you decide
that cannot be, l shall lose faith in
everything. have never had a
brother, and in the two short years l
have grown to look on you as one. l
am sorry. But If you will look back
you will see that l never gave you
any encouragement. was never
more than your comrade. have many
faults, but am not naturally a
coquette. I know my heart; I know 1t
WELL"
els there another?" In despair.
"Once upon a time, Donald, there
was. There is nothing now but ashes.
am telling you this so that it will not
be so hard for you to return to the old
friendly footing. You are a brave man.
Any man is who takes his heart in his
hand and offers 1t to a woman. You
are going to take my hand and prom
Use to be my friend always"
"Ah, Moral"
you mustn't, Donald. l can't return
to the ballroom with my eyes red.
You will never know how q woman
on the stage has to fight to earn her
bread. And that part Is only skir-
mish compared to the ceaseless war
men wage against her. She has only
the Notifications of her wit and her
presence of mind. Was not abducted
in the heart of PARISH And but for the
cowardice Of the man. who knows
what might have happened7 II I have
beauty. God gave it to me to wear.
and wear 1t l will. My father, the
padre, you and the Barone; would
not trust any other men living. am
often unhappy, but I do not inf1ict
this unhappiness on others. Be you
the same. Be my friend: be brave
and fight 1t out Of your heart"
Quickly she drew his head toward
her and lightly kissed the forehead.
There! All, Donald. l very much need
q friend"
All right, Nora" bravely indeed.
for the pain in his young heart cried
out for the ends Of the earth In which
to hide. "All right! I'm young; may
be I'll get over 1t in time. Always
count on me. You wouldn't mind going
back to the ballroom alone, would
you? I've got an idea I'd like to smoke
over 1t. No. I'll take you to the end
of the conservatory and come back. /
can't face the rest of them just now"
Nora had hoped against hope that 1t
was only infatuation, but In the last
few days she could not ignore the
truth that be really loved her. She
had thrown him and Celeste together
in vain. Poor Celeste. poor lovely
Celeste, who wore her heart upon her
sleeve, patent to all eyes save DON
AIDS! Thus, it was with defined pur-
pose that she had lured him this night
into the garden. She wanted to dis
illusion him.
The baron. glooming in an obscure
corner of the conservatory. saw them
come In. Abbott's brave young face
deceived him. At the door Abbott