The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1915-01-16

to think he's never mentioned her to
you'll"
Katherine had quietly rung for a
servant, and as Mrs. Merritt finished,
remarked casually: Martin, see that
these letters are mailed at once"
Unabashed, Mrs. Merritt was moving
eagerly about the artistic room, COM
Portable in all it's appointments, it's
richness enhanced and mellowed with
age. blend of color that nothing but
years can give
Fannie Merritt was decided blonde.
Her decision had been made more
than ten years before. 1t was a de-
cision that. once made, must be
abided by, and the woman had been
living up to it ever since. Her gown
was the last word of sartorial elegance
and style. Daringly decollette it chung
to her long, svelte figure with loving
emphasis, and trailed round her ex-
quisitely dressed feet. Her hair did
credit to the hairdresser's long and pa
tient efforts. and long, bizarre diamond
pendants flashed and sparkled from
her ears. If ever woman had become
slave to her own personal pleasure
and dress, that woman was Fannie
Merritt. Too self-centered and selfish
ever to crave motherhood, she lavished
kind of affection on a watery-eyed
little poodle, which repaid her with
lap-dog gratitude.
Tonight she was restless and i'll at
ease. Like Katherine, her mind was
full of one thought-Slade, Slade, Slade
but thoughts that took different d.
rection. She was sick Of his name,
sick of hearing Of his money, sick of
the talk of his power and of hearing
him named as "the man of the hour"
ISe was winning the very hOnors she
had coveted for her husband, and TAX
ing them right out from beneath his
very eyes and nose. There didn't seem
to be doubt of Slade becoming gov
ernor, the very position for which her
husband had been striving for the past
six terms. Slade with his millions
needed the governorship no more than
a pampered child needs a new toy,
while to her husband success or fail
ure this time meant either the retriev-
ing of his fortunes or his utter ruin.
The abstraction of the two women
was broken by the sudden entrance
of Hayes.
"Whew!" he whistled. They're hav-
ing a time of it in there. Good eve
ming, Mrs. Merritt, your husband is
certainly making it warm for Mr..
Slade."
Indeed" laughed Mrs. Merritt. graf
flied for the moment.
Dear, dear!" she exclaimed as she
watched Hayes gazing wistfully at.
Katherine and looking very handsome
and manly in his well-made evening
clothes. Its quite like old times to
see you together" Unhappy herself.
it gave her a certain pleasure to make
other people unhappy. The jealousy
she had long felt for the younger and
more beautiful woman found express
sion now in her purring tones, as, with
amiable cruelty, she reminded them
Of their earlier intimacy. She took
delight in making Bob writhe and
Katherine whiten as she recalled their
passionate young love when only the
senator's stern interference had kept
them from wedding.
Let me see," she recollected. when
was your confidante, you were
twenty-one Katherine, and you, Rob.
were twenty-four. l can feel Robs
hands gripping mine yet: o, Fannie
please see her for me-the senator
doesn't approve of it, And the tears
you shed on my shoulder. Katherine
why, it feels wet to think of it."
20! Fannie!" Katherine's voice was
not as firm as usual
Il always said" the woman per-
sisted, Rob, she'll come home to you
in the end"
Il think I'll go back and listen to
the discussion" and Bob flung dis
gustedly out of the room. At the door
he almost collided with Merritt. Kath-
crime had hurried out to see reporter
who wanted the wherefores and the
why's of the dinner party to Slade.
Il can't possibly get away. dear, T"
Merritt explained to his wife. 1--WE
been buttonholed by some men from
up the state. Shall you wait or go
home-first?"
Mrs. Merritt refused to be dis
missed in that peremptory fashion.
"I'll watt" she returned with acid
sweetness. Then If you are not ready
I'll run along"
SHADES had an ovation tonight"
Merritt informed her; nodding toward
the smoking-roo 1.-THE big out-of-
town men are all here. Some OF EN-
In there yet He's big, Fannie. He's
That Tho hruf q