The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1876-09-21

uOt nave Uccu AuCldu Mdlflu, anu Luz
clan Malvin was very good fellow,
after all, and there are few of us but
have our faults.
1t was among these people that he
happened to meet Rosa Mercier. She
had come from distant place, and was
visiting his pleasantest acquaintance;
and certainly the house was pleasanter
still after her sunshiny little pres
ence dawned on it. 1t seemed as if, for
instance, there never had been any
flowers in the house before, although it
had always been overdowing; it seem
ed as if there had been no music there,
no light, or color, or cheer; and now
the place was too dangerously delightful
for young man who did not want to
marry to frequent. She was such
lovely little thing; not exactly beauti-
full, that is, she would not have been
beautiful in picture, but in flesh and
blood, and in Lucian Malvin's eyes, she
was exceedingly beautiful, with her
soft color, her clear dark gaze, and her
bright hair that broke into cloud
of sunny rings about her sweet face, such
a gentle gayety went with her where
ever she did, such a tender grace of
manner, too, in the intervals Of her
buoyant spirits, her voice was such
warbling voice, her ways were such
winsome ways. Lucian Malvin felt that
he must forswear her presence unless
he wanted to make life burden to him.
self; and he ceased going to Mrs. Bar
netta's, where she was staying, almost
as suddenly as day forsakes the hori-
zon in that dreary season when twi-
lights are not.
But if he could shut himself out from
the Barnettas', he could not shut Miss
Rosa out from general society; and 90
where he would, he met her almost
nightly, laughing gayly, singing sweet
ly, dancing lightly, till he declared to
himself that If this was going to last. he
must indeed cease going out at all. But
that was a little too much he did not
know how positively to deny himself
the mere sight of her. Yet things were
growing very precarious when he could
not take book but he saw that blush
ing gold-enringed face slide in between
the pages, when he could not make out
writ without being in danger of slip
ping her name into the blanks, when
he heard the delicious voice murmuring
in his ears when he walked, and walked
all night with the little spirit when he
slept. He made q compromise with
himself lit was all he could de-
clared that at any rate he would not
dance with her again.
1t was an idle effort. He might al
most as well have danced with her as
have stood looking at her, quite euncon-
scious of his general air, and all the
lover in his glance. Mrs. Barnetta
beckoned him to her side; he stood
there just a Rosa came up from her
promenade and left the arm of one cav
alier to be carried off by another.
EssYou are not dancing, Mr.. Malvin?''
she said. "Oh, would you hold my fan
and handkerchief?'' He followed them
with his eyes again as the music crash
ed into a dashing galop.
What right had that other man with
his clasp about this darling? why did
she suffer it? what decency was there
in the society that commanded such
sacriice? In his embrace -whirling
| wildly to this wild music!
You do hate him, don't you?'' said
Mrs. Barnetta, in his ear. g IF looks
could slay-" He started. Was he
carrying his heart upon his sleeve for
-daws to peck atp "Oh, I don't pity
you bit, /" laughed Mrs. Barnetta, low
toned. And, putting out her hand, she
took Rosa's fan and opened it as she
talked. "Any body" said she, "with
such q power of making misery, ought
to enjoy it."
ell beg your pardon, Mrs. Barnet.
ia, but if you read me riddles, / must
ask you also to be their Sphinx"
"Oh, no; it was the function Of the
Sphinx to PROFOUND the riddles, not to
solve them" And Mrs. Barnetta laugh.
ed her low, pleasant laugh. IS You dc
not come to us any more,' she said
!" And as used to be in your confidence
before you deserted me, l can imagine
the reason. I do not like to say that il
is very shabby treatment of an ole
friend. OF course can not say that i
is rude. But If you do not dance will
Miss Mercier this evening, shall b.
fearfully offended. am not going K
have my little treasure made unhappy
for, the sake Of the safety of the primes
of all good fellows himself"
I Lucian changed color so suddenly
THAT Mrs. Barnetta put out her hand il
| alright, half expecting to see him fall
but in q moment he was himself again
/ "Do YOU Is Miss Merciern b,
began, and paused halfway.
ssAs if I should say another word, ant
4 had not already said altogether to.
much! - said Mrs. Barnetta. g stThere
| she has left dancing and. gone for al
| ice. What do you think of round dances
on the wholei'' And they were, to al