The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1876-08-17
you would forget him in six months,
and marry Win, like sensible GIRL,

you Woul0 forget him in six months,
and marry Win, like sensible girl.''
Margaret's low-spoken but sensible
reply, ssNever!" was lost in the snap
OF the garden-gate, suddenly closed, and
the rap on the cottage door.
The listener skunk around the corner
OF the house, and sped away. But the
visitor entered the cottage, and greeted
uncle and niece. A tall. handsome
man, with a very frank expression.
Though Uncle John growled and fum-
ed, Margaret was the very darling of
MS heart, and he could never SERIOUSLY
oppose any wish of hers. So, while the
evll-taced man who had listened at the
window sped over the fields. Harry
Craige pressed his suit till John Ham
mersly was won to give his consent to a
marriage that was really a worldly ad-
vantage TO his niece.
Consent once gair ed. Harry pleaded
hard for speef. . wedding. So the
pans were publ 4shed, and the guests in
marx t.aalstead, second cousin of
Malga cts, with sad and disappoint-
eu !" sart, consented to be groomsman,
y &c Hall kept aloof, though he met
, Harry often, and gave him grudgin
civility.
The wedding-day came, and the
cottage was decorated for the festivi-
ties after the marriage. Margaret's
wedding dress was already donned.
The bride was waiting, but Harry did
not come.
Mark Halstead, after a whispered
consultation with Mr.. Hammersley,
went to where Harry had boarded. He
was informed that on the previous even
ing note mad been handed in for Mr..
Craige, and Immediately afterwards he
had driven away. That was all that
Mark could find out that night.
The guests dispersed, Margaret re-
fusing all companionship but that of
her uncle.
When they were alone together, she
crept into the strong arms that had
been her protection and shelter from
childhood, and lay there, white as the
bridal dress she wore, shivering and
fearless. And, looking at her mute
misery, John Hammersley restrained
the torrent of indignant words trem-
bling upon his tongue, and soothed her
as If she had been an infant.
He is sick or hurt" the old man
said.
In his heart he added, ssand if the
false villain is deceiving my gin, will
shoot him like dog" But he had no
opportunity to keep the unspoken
threat.
A letter was written to the firm, and
one of the senior partners came to Bra
shaw.
It was some comfort to heart broken
Margaret to hear of the high esteem in
which Harry was held, and see the evi-
dent sorrow of the elderly gentleman
who spoke warmly of his partner.
It is absurd to suppose he has run
away" said his partner; che is man
of influence in business, and his social
standing is of the best, and''-and here
he turned to Margaret" his love was
pure, honorable and sincere. /, who
have known him from boy, know that
he was man who would scOrn to play
with any woman's heart
Only piteous cry of 'Where can
he be?'' burst from the girls lips.
"Had he any enemies here?" was the
next stern question.
No one knew of any. The frank,
bright nature had won friends all about
him. Even Hall had been seen in
friendly conversation with the missing
man on the day of his disappearance.
Every inquiry resulted in the same
disappointment, till the nine-days' won
der died out, and the mystery was un-
solved.
The faithful heart that loved Harry
kept his image ever closely folded,
grieving silently and in solitude, and
wearily resuming the routine of life.
! Every duty of her humble, quiet life,
Margaret fulfilled with patient care
but her step was slow and weary, her
face pale, and her eyes heavy with
weeping. But her uncle, who loved her
fondly, missed her ripping laugh, her
sweet song. And it was delicate
tribute he paid Margaret's sorrow that
he never once limited to her that there
might be some dishonorable explana.
ton of her lovers disappearance
This idea haunted him. Since the de-
parture of the senior partner of the firm
there was no one to speak of Harry in
terms of commendation, and specula-
tions were numerous in the village. A
wife secretly hidden away, who threat
ened exposure, was favorite theory
Debt was another. Escape from pun
| ishment for some crime was third
But all these theories were kept from
Margaret.
! Winter set in. Hall came often tt
the cottage. His face was one thai
could mask an evil heart with an as
sumption of rough frankness, and sci
dom had any one seen it as it revealed
itself when he listened at the ottage