Vernon Parish Democrat. (Leesville, La.) 1917-193?, 1919-12-06
As Sleeping
Beauty
By CELIA ROSE
Copyright. 1919. by the Mcclure News
paper Syndicate.}


"Hello. Mugginsl" Johnny Deeds
shouted from the road. The figure
in the rocking chair upon the Martin
porch did not lift its eyes from the
book In hand. Johnny halloed again
again his answer was the silence of
uneonsciOusness-ci Louise Mar
tin did not mean to admit that she had
ever responded to the name of Mug
gins. Johnny grinDed cheerfully and
scattered up the winding way. to pause
at the steps, doff his hat and say, with
an elaborate Obeisance: SIS the-ah {
ahem-lady of the home at homer
mot to-vagabonds." the rocking
chairs occupant returned TRANQUILITY,
its eyes still down. Next minute two
warm hands fell over them-the head
holding them was drawn gently back
and kiss planted upon a pair of soft
red lips.
That's how you wake a sleeping
beauty, isn't it?' Johnny asked guile
lessly Louise had risen and faced
him, a furious scarlet flooding her
cheeks. She dared not speak-if she
did, she would either laugh or cry.
Either meant triumph for Johnny the
lawless-she knew of old his capacity
to torment her. Silently she turned to
go inside-then Johnny caught both
her hands and sat her down, not very
gently, saying; mo, you don'tl Not
in this company. What ails you, any
way, Mug? Used to be the best sort of
sport, you did"
you meant was a barbarian, the
same as YOU" Louise burst out. ''Well,
have learned better manners. Unless
you can do the same-piease keep
away from here !"
HIN Is that true word-or just
makeup?" Johnny asked. the least
shade of seriousness creeping into his
face. Louise glared at him. "Wnl you
never grow upW she stOrmed. "You
know, you must understand, my posi-
ton here in my uncle's house. His
wife is the very properest person
with leaning to wild ways under the
rose. If she had heard you say Mug
gins / should never have been any
thing else to her-of course, in strict
privacy, she makes Uncle Ben think
her sort of grown-up snow white.
Already she hates me, because l see
through her. If she knew anything Of
those mad, happy old days when we
were playfellows, thinking and know
ting no evil. she would have a whip
ready to her hand, and would use it
to put me through my paees."
''She shan't know, girl. I'm will
ing to kick myself a mile!" Johnny
exploded. 81 ought to have thought
of course, the nelghbors know some
thing-of the dual personality of the
new Mrs. Benjamin Martin. Still,
honestly didn't dream Of making you
trouble. Forgive me all my imperti-
hence and let me know if / can help
you in any way"
"Only ina very hard way-fOr
me-" Louise said. signing "That is.
by staying away until-be sure I'm
not here for always. Uncle says Mar
tin blood forbids my working. l have
another notion as to that-Td rather
scrub floors for living than stay here
much longer"
you need not stay day-remem-
-ber?" Johnny began significantly.
Louise looked over his head, flushing
deeply. Don't let's think of impossi-
bilities," she said, but sighed as she
said 1t. Johnny laid brotherly hand
on her shoulder, asking: Haven't
you got over anything?" In reply she
could only shake her head and turn
away, biting her lips.
Johnny strobe up and down the
porch, his face dark, his brow deep
ly furrowed. Thus Mrs. Martin came
upon him and smiled unpleasantly as
she glanced from one to another of
the pair. So did the man in her wake,
who was by appearance neither young
nor old, good nor bad, but tremendous
~ well groomed and we'll tailored as
redolent, indeed. of affluence as the
perfectly appointed car which had
brought him and his hostess. AT sight
of him Louise hurried away to be re-
called imperiously. then hidden in a
velvet voice please 10 order tea and
serve It. Johnny must stay for 1t. of
courSe-a balanced party was so much
pleasanter. Moreover he had been so
long in coming over. he must be spe-
cially well treated In hope Of a return.
All this cooingly. avid eyes the while
measuring his six-foot-one Of vigorous
young manhood. his handsome tanned
face and vital close-cropped curtis
Mrs. Martin. fair, forty, languishing.
approved all Of them thoroughly-all
the more that he made her escort.
Franklin Ware. seem so faded and
meager. She looked at Johnny. in
deed, with much the same gloating ex-
preston that Ware gave to Louise.
Johnny saw and shivered-not for
himself, but fer the prospect before
Louise.
BE got no private word with her,
though he fingered to the last allow