The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1876-05-18

mistaking the broad stare with which
he regarded Fanny. Flo Peterson, who
sat near, pinched Fanny arm black and
blue to make her look at him during
prayers. As the girls came out togeth-
er, he stood in the vestibule.
Bow to him, Fan, bow! He looks
as if he'd give his life for a glance. I'm
sure he's in love with you )" upon which
poor Fanny, taken by surprise, bowed
and even smiled, though the next mo-
ment she was shocked at her own in
delicacy.
Who was that fellow, sis?'' asked
Fanny's brother John, who had noticed
the salutation. AZ didn't know you had
any such rakish-looking friends"
"Ihe''-stammered poor Fanny,
half wild, her face one blush.
80, he's an old friend of mine-Mr.
Williams" said Flo, sweetly coming to
her friends rescue, and smiling as she
knew how to smile.
/ declare, you are so stupid, FAM"
she added, as the young man passed
on. "Why didn't you make up
name, instead of blushing and acting SO
guilty?'
Because both acted and felt guilty,
that's the reason,' - tartly replied Fanny,
who was beginning to regret the steps
she had taken into an uncertain future,
just for Irritation.
"Pshaw! It's only little harmless
sport!" said Flo, gayly. "Why, what
mouse you are! frightened at nothing.
You'll never have any fun at all if that
is the way you fly from fortune. Now
prophesy that you will get letter
soon, a charming letter.. You see I
know. am true prophecies
Fl0's strong ARill seemed to remove all
opposition, though Fanny's very child
ishness was her safeguard. Flo was no
prophecies, and yet, sure enough, the
letter came. It was while they were on
their way to school on the following
day. A little boy ran up to them and
handed Fanny note.
"Didn't tell you SOP" queried Flo,
as together they read the address
"Io the young lady scih the beautiful
eyes"
go, do open it!'' And Fanny tore
off the envelope It was, of course, q
sickening and silly efusion; but CLAM
our had been thrown over Fanny's eyes.
It ended by requesting an interview,
and designated the place where he would
meet her.
"A-h! isn't it perfectly exquisite ?"
sighed Flo; $50 poetical, and then what
beautiful handwriting! Oh, Fan, you
must meet him, if only once, for the fun
Of it; you must, indeed you must. Don't
be faint-hearted now" .'*4Fss
"Flo, never can do it in the world!"
cried Fanny, excitedly. 81 should be
so scared, I should faint dead away if
he spoke to me-
"Well, that would make it only so
much more romantic. You shall go,
Fan, and I'll go with you. I wouldn't
miss it for the world. You shall un-
braid your hair, throw on my lace
shawl-the teacher will let me 20 home
with you if / play sick. Come, it's all
decided; and you'll look SO beautiful!
am dying to see you. Asfor him, just
think of him in Spanish cloak.
Wouldn't he be darling?'
And silly Fanny allowed herself to be
persuaded. A
It was just about sundown and all
ready growing dark, when the two
girls, under pretense of calling upon
Fanny's cousin, left the house and walk
ed swiftly in the direction Of the suburbs.
On the outskirts of the village was q
small ruined homestead, called the
Elms, near the new road, and this was
the designated place Of meeting. Poor
Fanny, who wanted very much to be
like a heroine, felt her courage oozing
out with every step, as she neared the
place. How dark it grew, and vet
there was a full moon throwing its first
yellow rays athwart the sky. Flo di-
vested the trembling Fanny of her hat,
spread the thick hair like vail, and
threw her lace shaw picturesquely over
the trembling girls head.
sDon't be afraid. l will stay right
here. Q, how beautiful you look! And
there heis coming this way. Now he stops.
o, Fanny, don't spoil it all. As true as
you live, he has on cape and wide
brimmed hat. What asplendid figure!
Go, Juliet, your Romeo waits! y and,
with few whispered words, she push
ed her on.
4 But Fanny faltered. If the figure had
not advanced, she never could have
gained the courage. As it was, with
downcast eyes, she took his outstretch-
ed hand. He drew her on.
+ They were at the porch of the old cot
tage, whose windows looked ghastly in
the moonlight. Fanny shuddered. She
had heard wild stories Of that strange
place, stories that chill the blood and
haunt the imagination. O, why did he
not speak? And with what a horrible
grip he held her hand! What could she
saw? What ought she to saw Her