The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1876-10-12


moder of her, she that was Margaret
Reeves and married an Orton, but orte1
married your grandfather, an I'll say
dat eft am talkin' to you," she said.
"Ought to have married my grand
fatherp Why?" inquired.
"Why? Because when a man hangs
around gal year or two, he ought to
marry her, oughtn't he? His folks beat
him out of it, yer see. But he 'pented
on it! pend on dat. He nebber took
no comfort with the woman he married,
and nebber seemed like hisself after
ward. But you amt noways to blame
bout dat, honey"
/ at length ascertained that Miss Or
ton was living at Fairbanks small
town some few miles from my home
and [ at once communicated to her the
discovery of the will, and commenced
settling up matters as fast as possible,
preparatory to a removal to the West.
l thought I had knowledge enough to
set up as physician there.
I settled in Western town, and then
waited till shope deferred" pride,
disappointment and hard fare wrought
such change in me that many an hour
| sat doubling my own identity. "This
way lies madness" and at last made
the rash resolve to leave a world which
l despised myself for my inability to
conquer.
When made my professional call
on Miss Howard, the next morning, I
found her quite restored to her usual
health. "thanks to my skill," she said,
with a beaming smile, as seated N.Y.
self.
I had thought my patient one of the
most beautiful women had ever seen,
on the night before, and the clear morn
ing light served only to confirm this
impression. She was dazzling fair,
without pallor, her abundant hair per-
feet bronze, with those lovely waves
and ripples, which art seeks in vain to
counterfeit, and her eyes a rich golden
brown, luminous and warm. Her figure
was tall and graceful, and her express
sion at once noble and womanly.
After the servant had left the room
she thanked me, blushing brightly all
the while for helping her on with her
little play of the night before.
Well, it is especially true in profess
sion that it sis the first step which
COSTS" My call to Miss Howard, who
took up her quarters at the Darby
House, and became at once the fashion,
helped me amazingly, and I am quite
sure she helped me whenever she could
by mentioning me with favor.
The people of Darby suddenly dis
covered that DR.. Lysle was not only
fine physician, but gentleman, and
this gave me an entree into the circle in
which Miss Howard moved. She was a
fine musician, and of music was pas
sionately fond, and I had habit of
dropping into her parlor when weary
with long rides, and resting, while she
sung songs, low and sweet and soft. 1
had a way, too, OF telling her of my
hopes and success, and one night when
l was, on, so gloriously tired of hard
work, l told her what a mad, cowardlv
act her chance call had saved me from.
!" You do not despise mep'' asked
eagerly. "No," she said softly, ST
know too well what creatures of oppor-
tunity we are, to do that.'' "No,,' 'she
repeated, !" do not despise you.''
There was some wonderful light in
her eyes, some heavenly smile about her
mouth, as she spoke the word stdespise,'
which transported me.
"No, you do not despise me, Nora
Howard-you love me!'' I said with
triumphant surety, and all in a moment
| held her mine, mine, in my arms.
Nora went back to New York, and l
staid behind, well content to labor with
so glorious prize in view. a 5its
Things went well with me, and it was
not long before l had the pleasure of
bidding Miss Nora Howard expect me
II New York on certain day soon after
the reception of the happily written let
ter conveying this bidding.
At the New York Depot a pair of
brown eyes drew my own like a mag
net. There was my own sweet darling
waiting for me. AS we rode on, an agi-
tation, unusual to her manner, seemed
to possess her, and grew more and more
marked every moment.
The quarter of the city through which
we were passing was near my old home.
We were even on the same street, and,
as we were about to pass the house, the
carriage stopped.
ssAlicia Howard Orton,, said nv
brown-eyed darling, with CLEAN Of
merriment in her eyes, while she made
an arch courtesy, ''Aunt Rhoda sent me
after you, didn't you, Aunty?''
6 Yes I jis did that, honey. Anil
reckon you've got him fast. Guess I'd
better be helpin' set on that supper"
And, breaking into laugh, she depart
ed.
"Did you think / could come here,
and drive you out, and take what was
yours, without word?" said
Alicia. When they told me you had