Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1917-05-04


man that's been a drunkard once will
take to it again. You can't trust him.
I'd rather die than see anyone l cared
for marry that sort of a man."
Ethel's affection for her aunt, and
her love for this man-fOr she knew
now 1t was lOve-were so nearly
crushing her in the warfare that she
could say no more, and she brought
the Interview to an end by making an
excuse to go to her room.
Irwin Banks lived with his sister,
who had been one Of the principal fac
tors in helping him to rise to the po-
sitiOn he now held. 1t was with his
sister that Ethel had first met him.
She was attracted by the gOod-lOOking
young man with the high, firm car
riage Of the head, the straight gaze
and the wholesome smile, and she was
further held by his ability to say some
thing worth while, and saying 1T rath-
err well. She had met him in his own
home by invitation of his sister, and
had asked him to call. 1t was after
his second visit, at both of which Miss
Crane had pretended illness as an ex-
cuse for not appearing, that the lady
had given her emphatic reasons for
not wishing him to call again.
Ground between the millstOnes OF
her divided duty" Ethel sought the
counsel Of Mary Banks.
"Aunt Melissa has been to me sec
ond mother. / love her very dearly.
How can go dead against her wishes.
II must ask him not to call again,
Ethel said.
"And do you think Irwin will let 1t
go at that?" cried his sister. Maybe
you don't know what this means to
him."
Ethel's heart gave a big thrOb. She
knew what it meant to her. In the
meeting of their eyes, the sister knew.
evil you ask your aunt to come
and see me?" she said.
"Oh, she never would" asserted
Ethel.
mot If she could help it, of course
rejOined Mary. ''But you've got to put
your foot down, and be firm. Just say
you can't tell him not to call, and you'd
be likely to see him in other places
anyway. If she wants to shut off all
communication between you and Mr.
Irwin Banks, the only way Is to come
and lay the case before his sister"
Ethel looked dubious, but promised
to be firm, and the two cOnspirators
parted.
Miss Crane stOutly protested she
would do nothing of the kind, but as
relations remained decidedly strained
she concluded it was the only way t.
conclude peace.
The day she had appointed to cal
on Miss Banks was cold and buster
ing, and snow began to fall heavil!
while she vas on the way. She hat
to walk nearly a mile, and she ar
rived at the Banks cottage, chilled, we
and bedraggled. Mary Banks met he
with such CHEEKY cordially, and tool
off her wet wraps with such sOlicitud
for her health, making her sit yer,
near the fire to dry her feet, and talk
ing pleasantly all the time that he
caller found 1t difficult to make al
opening for her errand. AT last sh
got up courage to begin.
Miss Banks, l am"
Just "a minute. Miss Crane! LIE
me get you something warm!"
Miss Crane protested she did nc
need anything. but suddenly Mis-
Banks regarded her with deep alarm
"Oh!" she cried, show badly you look
Why, you are having a chill! Their
is so much pneumonia about! l sha
get you something at once"
Miss Crane admitted she was sti
cold, and allowed her to have he
. way.
= Its Just little hot Lemonade" sh
y said. handing the tall tumbler to he
!, guest.
:, Miss Crane, already alarmed abor
J, her condition, took a long draft
= the mixture. Suddenly she set
= down with a frightened look at tn
;. other woman. There's liquor In 1t
|, she cried.
y "Oh, only the least bit. If you ha
q doctor here he'd make you take
You'll have pneumonia if you don't
Miss Crane now thoroughly frigh
= ened. swallowed the whole Of it.,
', was really a very liberal allowance {
"old rye" and not being used to intOx
cants. she was soon conversing glibl
= and feeling very much at home wit
her hostess. Mary showed her brOtl
:, er's picture, and RECALLED her with h
y wonderful achievements. Miss Graz
= quite forgot what she had come TO
and invited them both to call. Nal
- telephoned for conveyance, and sci
her guest home happy.
:. Ethel received the unexpected new
- with establishment, but the next /
- slant became aware that Miss Graz
had been having too much. The ne
day a very miserable. repentant VOL
an met her ut breakfast. 'Tve got
3 resign from the w. c. T. u" she sal
= "I'll never be able to look any Of the
:. In the face again. l guess 1 needr
have been quite so hard on Irv
=, Banks. haven't anything more to 81
against his coming"