The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1876-06-15
BELLEVUE, BOSSIER PARISH, LOUISIANA

evening did not die, and Ray had to bear
frequent references to his blunder. Boys
who envied or did not like him, or who |
were temporarily disaffected with some
thing said or done, we're apt to soothe
their souls by dragging the word "Pen-
taytuke" into the conversation. Ray
bore these small shafts philosOphically;
his friends felt them more keenly.
"How did you come to make that
plaguy mistaken Indignantly demanded
Harry Plat one day, dragging him Oft
under cover of the woods which bordered
the ten-acre lot they were moving. :" 1t
riles me like anything. There's that lit
tie whippy -snappy Jack Pomeroy always
at you with Pentaytuke' in his teeth. How
did it happen, Ray? You're the best spell
er of US all.''
EASY enough to make mistake" re-
piled Ray, whipping MULLEN. from its
stalk with blow of his scythe.
Pshaw! not mistake like that. Why,
little Peter Potter knows better. And
you -"
Hal, if you give me your word not to
tell, I'll say something -"
"Well, do. What is ?"
"I did know better. I'm not such a
fool that / can't spell Pentateuch.' I
missed on purpose that night. l had
reason"
GA reasOn!-what?"
But Harry demanded in vain. Ray ex-
plained no farther. After while they
walked back to the hay field.
| Their conversation had an auditOr-an
unsuspected one Mary Alger was perched
| in the tree under which the boys stood as
they talked. 1t was an oak tree, low,
broad, easily climbed, and bearing aloft,
ten feet or so from the ground, gnarled
bough whose crotch made comfortable
seat. For years it had been Mary's habit
to come to this spot and there study her
lessons, read or dream; but it was hab-
it which she carefully concealed. She
was far too big to climb trees now, said
her mother. Mary admitted it; still she
climbed.
She made pretty picture, half sitting,
halt-lying, among the branches, the sum-
mer wind waving the folds Of her dress,
her face full of the puzzle caused by Rays
overheard confession. Why had he
"missed on purpose?" What was the
"reason?'' A sudden flood of red broke
over her face at last. Had she guessed
the truth? She could not rest till she
knew.
When woman wishes to carry point
she usually takes the offensive. Mary TOOK
it. 1t was the very next evening. Shit
and Ray were walking home from The
choir practice.
"Ray," she said, turning upon him
"why did you misspell that night at the
match-misspell on purpose'"
J oil what makes you think
did?" stammered Ray, taken off hi!
guard
81 kaow you did. Tell me about it."
J "You can't know" said Ray.
"Well, if you won't tell me, I'll tel
7 you-shall I? You saw that girl wantet
the prize very much, and you felt gener
7 GUS. And so, because you were man
l Oh, Ray, it was very good of you. Blu
:. you must take the group back. l can
keep i'll can't indeed! You must taxi
it,"
Y "Now, Mary, don't get excited" sale
t Ray, guiding her toward mossy log ant
q seating himself beside her. "We'll dis
D cuss this matter. Suppose it was as yo'
! Ssay (which l don't admit), the prize woul'
/ be yours all the same"
e "Not bit; it would be yoms. Your
0 a splendid speller, Ray, great deal bel
Y ter than am-when you don't miss o.
o purpose. It's your right to be first; T.
b rather be second after you; really
$ would-a great deal rather. I'll neve
forget what you did, Ray-never; but yo
ought to have the Refugees and 20
e must take it'
e Every WE'LL" said Ray, his eyes ligh
ing up with an odd twinkle; / will
b But it's on one condition, Mary" n
d grew very red. "I'll take it if you'll ow
J. It in partnership with me. What
3. enough for one is enough for two-plast'
!" groups particularly. I'll call the Re
ngees' mine ifyou'll call it yours, and.
if you let me call you mine What Z
:, you say, Mary? Isn't that about fair?"
suppose Mary had very strong SEN
)" of justice, for she blushed, trembled, hal
h smiled; then she put out one hand timid
g. to Ray, and then
e. The rest may be safely left to the ir
er agination OF the reader.-Hdaper' Bdzd