The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1918-01-19

VtSA olul lCu anu butlCt AAo " Co
"Eh?' he inquired stupidity.
'What do you Think"
"Ah-abOut what:'
Good heavens" Craven exploded
a full, deep note of evaporation
Here / sit yammering at you"
Sorry" said Peter. Fact isl
know Mrs. Merrilees won't mind being
let into my confidence on the ground
floor-fact is, I'm In love with your
daughter, Tad. And Quoin's talking
to her. So, naturally, I'm sick with
jealousy"
IT'S like your cheek" observed
Craven. "Have you mentioned the
matter to Lydia?'
Certainly not! She's having too
good time. Women won't listen to q
gratuitous lover unless bored or &C.
lively unhappy"
"Then why bother me with your
lovesick vapors?"
swell, l wanted to see how rusty
you'd cut up. Besides, Mrs. Beggar-
staff has discovered my hideous Sc
cret, and Is now busy-Or about to
be-distributing handbills."
"Can't you shut her up?"
1.-THE law forbids cruel and inhuman
punishments. Besides, I'm not sure
l want her hushed. I'm not ashamed
of the fact, and If let the Beggarstafr
alone, sooner or later she or someone
will mention the matter to Lydia, and
then-well, rouse woman's curiosity,
and half your battles won."
Craven turned to inspect the pair
at the rail. "She might do worse" he
observed.
"Thanks!"
"Than Quoin. I mean"
"Curse i'll" said Peter, flushing.
I'm in earnest, Tad"
II believe you are" Mrs. Merrilees
interjected with dispassionate scien-
tiflc interest. Il really believe you
are, Peter. Certainly you were never
so intolerably stupid when IN love
with me-"
Peter. by this time recovered, fixed
her with a reproving glance. Uttered
in the presence of a third party" he
said severely, ISLANDER is act1onaDle.
Merely because didn't like to show
nv dIstaste for your infatuated adj
yances, you take up with an emergen-
CIV ration like Tad here, and then get
sore because I don't forbid the banns-
peevish child"
"Just for that" said the woman
''just for that, Peter, I'm going TO
heap Goals of fire upon your migrate
rul head-and heaven knows l hope
they'll scorch and blister"
"Marble?" Craven suggested with
open incredulity.
BE quiet, Tad, and run an errand
for me, like a biddable child" Mrs.
Merrilees loosed the drawstring OF a
acework wristbag, took out tiny
oocketbook, and from this last extract
I'd slip of paper. "Take that to the
ourser and bring me what 1t calls Tor.
With assumed reluctance Craven
leaved up from his place and rolied
'orward, while his fiancee Graded her
hin in her hand and regarded Peter
With a whimsical smile.
"Ouit it," he said GROSSLY. you
haven't got anything on me. you
lnOw."
allow about the others"
"Others? l never looked cross-eyed
It a girl before this"
"Peter"
swell, hardly ever. And. anyway,
rom now on I'm going to wear sign
,oard here" He sketched the Site
,pon his waistcoat:
private. No Thoroughfare. This means
you!
ut seems so funny-you!" Laugh
nc quietly, the woman looked up to
eview Lydia with long glance.
She's a dear GIRL" she observed.
"Promise never to call me mamma
nd I'll do my best for you"
"What chance have l got, with
luoin making the PAGER He's regu-
ar fellow-Tm only drawing room
"He's a strange man." Mrs. Merri-
ees unused. IF he hadn't taken up |
UGH an impossible profession"
do you suppose he has a case in
and now; aboard this vessel,
lean?'
Call him, and I'll ask"
Peter complied with the best grace
Imaginable. "Quoin! I say, Addison,
ONE over here q minute. A beautiful