The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1918-01-05

II can't wish him greater good for
tune said Lydia quietly.
You are il dear, And SO bcauti-
ful-Im jealous. Do You think, Tad.
il is wise TO have two blondes in one
family: Don't answer, please. It's a
riddle | must solve to my own salts
faction before l listen to you again.
But-I'm Serious-think it over"
With a transient tightening Of her
grasp on Lydia's shoulders. a pressure
! that conveyed 4 hint Of friendliness.
the woman turned away.
No" She insisted when Craven
| promptly ranged himself at her side.
Let me 20 for tonight. Tad I'd pre-
fer to be alone to think things out.
/ Tomorrow, perhaps"
| Her smile flashed uncertainty toward
Lydia as She disappeared round the
shoulder of the deckhouse.
t Craven delayed. however, barely long
enough for a word, "Wait here-I
| sha'n't be long"
| Lydia said nothing, but watched him
90 with eyes confused with pain. she
who had found herself suddenly rele-
gated from the status of well-beloved
child to that Of stumbling block in
the path of her fathers ambition, who
could no longer doubt that he had
planned to keep her existence secret
until his marriage to this Mrs. Merri-
lees of the fabulous fortune should be
a consummated fact.
She stood desOlate amid debris of
illusions, who had never known moth
er, and now had lost father. Her
eyes filed. He hadn't even kissed her
after five years separation! Resting
arms upon the taffrail. she turned
forlorn face to the night-clad sea, her
mood fraught with vast disconsolation.
A football sounded behind her, and
she wheeled sharply about to join issue
with her father. But it was Peter
Trait who, briskly rounding the deck
house, pulled up short at sight of that
tense young person, Lydia, with her
shoulders back, her chin up, and def
auce a-glimmer in her eyes.
Il beg your pardon" He peered
eagerly to make certain; for the moon
was Just then thinly yelled in cloud.
ITS Miss Carteret, isn't it:'
"Yes, Mr.. Trait" said the girl qui-
city. relaxing. Good evening"
He seemed puzzled by her manner,
started to say something. reconsidered
sharply, then ventured with engaging
Difference, Its good to see you up and
about again.
1T feels pretty good, thank YOU
she said, with smile that gave him
courage.
Hope l didn't startle you, galumph-
ing into your solitude without warning.
Fact is, l was looking for old Tad Cra-
ven. We're needing fourth. | don't
suppose you know Craven, thought
"Oh. yes. I've known Mr.. Craven q
long time"
Really? He's wonder, isn't ne!
Trait exclaimed with enthusiasm.
"Everybody's friend-not an enemy IN
the world. l don't believe there's a
better-liked man in New 1ork-our
New York. that is
ways lived in England, and have lots
to learn about-home.
"Sheer snobbery on my part" Peter |
admitted cheerfully. Il meant the
very small part Of New York that we
infest. whom my friend Mr.. Martin |
likes to call the idle rich II he only |
knew"
"But are yOu?
I'm afraid I'm idle enough; but as
for riches, I'm poverty's poor relation.
But what do you dog
"Oh, l play good hand at bridge,
q fair racket at tennis, and am always
on hand to fill in when somebody
doesn't show up for dinner" The least
trace of bitterness favored this gratu-
itous account of himself, and the per-
grafton was accompanied by an uneasy
laugh. "In short, I'm what your Eng
fish friends call a waster. But please
don't think that I'm bidding for serious
II understand" the girl said quietly.
~ didn't mean to bore you, either
"You didn't; but you made me think
and wonder"
"Why I'm content to be-so use
less?"
She nodded, with her shadowy smile.
A wry grin answered that. you
certainly take the curse off OF 1t. Trait
ayerred. "Candor like yours Is good