The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1877-01-25
THE NEW.YEAR'S GIFTS.

look IN me IOr any Such weaknesses as
have been ere this exhibited by your
precious score of admirers. I, at least,
have the will and ability to abide by
my decision. No woman on earth can
make fool of Rafe Somers!"
Mile raised her head withicy hatred.
elf you go? Pray, sir, do not trouble
yourself to decide yes or no in so small
matter. Allow me to decide for you,"
crossing the room and touching the bell
with steady hand. "John, MIR. Somers
desires his hat and overcoat; have
them at his service Immediately.
The man withdrew, inwardly decid-
ing that "there was somethin' up
tween miss and her handsome lover,
kase he hadn't seen SIGH high and lofty
looks afore, he knew"
Meanwhile Rafe and Millic stood be-
fore each other proudly defiant, betray-
ing nothing of the emotion which, truth
to tell, forced each heart to culver with
pain. Never had Mile looked so beau
tiful, thought Rafe, and never had he
cared for her more than at that moment
OF final parting. Indignation had
flushed her usually pale face and given
a sparkle to the dark eyes that only in
creased their beauty. She had drawn
her stately figure to its full height, and
Rafe had never seen his betrothed so
regally attractive before. He had no
idea that his own face appealed as
strongly to her heart as hers had to
his own. But she saw, with her
quick woman's heart and eyes,
how noble specimen of manhood
her own words had dismissed from her
side forever. o! tender blue eyes, that
had questioned her dark ones SO many,
many times! O! proud and manly
heart, that had laid itself at her dainty
feet so long ago and worshiped till
her own had stopped to meet its love.
What of the days, weeks, months, and
years to come, with only silence be-
tween the two. But pride was busy
with its small though deadly venom,
and into each heart the poison sank
deeply while, with mute lips and flush
ed faces, the two who had been lovers
turned apart from each other as the
servant entered, and bowed a last
adieu.
Rafe, while putting on his overcoat
in the hall, caught the light humming
OF the opera air which escaped Miles
lips for that very purpose. 'Cry be-
fore he had left the housep" said she
to her grieving heart; "never! he
must learn that q woman can scorn
weakness as well as the other sex, and
Pm weary and worn out with his I'M
Just questioning of my will" Then
Mile walked to the window and
drummed on the panes with assumed
carelessness until RATE, stung to the
quick with her heartlessness, slammed
the door and rushed down the stoop
and out of sight in the darkness.
No more humming of opera airs then
mo more idle drumming on the win
dow pane for Mile after that. Au con-
tratre, the twilight shadows, gathering
SO rapidly, folded the PROSTATE figure
that lay sobbing on the sofa more close
ly in the mantle of darkness, and the
proud eyes, so lately scorning tears,
were glad to give them vent at last, now
that the friendly shadows kept her
secret safe. In an hour she and RATE
were to have gone together to the Opera
to hear the latest new star-and Miles
passion was music. Well, "she would
not allow her enjoyment to be interfer-
ed with through trouble with Rafe
Somers," was her indignant thought.
80 Gardy would escort her of course. and
RATE might offer his services where il
should please him.
"Gardy," the mild-eyed, placid,
gentleman who had shout
iered the responsibility of Mile and
her fortune solely out of love for the
orphans parents, was sitting quietly at
est with his sister in the cosy upstairs
'itting-room, and enjoying to the full
lis fragrant Havana, when the dis
urber of his peace, flushed and still in
llgnant, entered the room. "Mr.
''omers will be absent this evening.
Iardy; you will take me to the Opera
Iouse.n
BLESS my soul! Put on nv boots
nd take fresh drive Just to hear
'ignor Bawlina or Madame Souallina
pset the nerves of respectable people,
1yself in the bargainin exclaimed
lr. Rand. with elevated brows. Sand
ray why must quarrel between two
'vers interfere with my comfort, Miss
eh?''
Expostulation, however, availed moth
lg, and to the opera they went, Mile
nd her guardian, and with them also ;
gentleman who called upon Mile
list as they were leaving the house, and s
her invitation entered the carriage
it'll them. ,
And what of RATE Somers meanwhilep !
e, too, remembered the opera, and,
Notwithstanding his sore heart, he t
ould attend it, as he knew Mile t
ould, and she should see as much 9