The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1877-09-13
BELLS MATCHMAKING,

"My dear Flora,'' wrote Miss Ray
mond-"i it is long time since we have
met. Why can't you pack your trunk,
and make up your mind to spend the
summer with me in this green and quiet
corner of the earth? You shall diet up
on locusts and wild honey, if such be
your pleasure; you shall put in an ap-
pearance at parish picnics, or sit in the
arbor and embroider while somebody
reads Tennyson aloud-in short, YOU
shall do as you please, if you will please
to come to your rural friend BELL
Miss Raymond regarded it as a wise
and far-seeing policy that she had for
borne to mention the name of the Rev.
Clarence Gascoigne-ap poor but promis-
ing young clergyman recently settled
over the parish of Haphazard, whose
welfare she had chiefly in view in issu-
ing this invitation to "dear Flora, :"
who was nothing less than an heiress
and a beauty. Miss Raymond herself,
being neither, naturally set greater
value upon these things than they de-
served, and devoutly believed that Flora
would carry all before her at her own
sweet will. She remembered, when
they had been at Madame Bulbs finish
ing school together-before adversity
mad visited the Raymonds' roof-that
fiora had been the cynosure of all the
,lelghboring eyes at DR.. Creed's theo-
ogcal seminary, that she had
oeen deluged with valentines,
MIeited with bonbons, and en-
oalmed in sonnet and song in the poets
corner Of the local daily. But apparent
these things had not availed. Miss
ilora had already survived several
seasons, and was yet Miss Flora, and
utrammeled. Whether she had flirted
700 hard, her heart had remained un
,ouched, or she had never inspired her
psefs with any thing stronger than a
passing fancy, nobody but Flora knew.
MISS Raymond's family consisted mere
Of herself and widowed aunt; and
~, ner income was small, she usually
Alea the roomy old homestead with
summer boarders. But since the new
ssetor OF the parish had taken up his
mu scyue under her roof-tree, and Aunt
sy saaiy, was IN somewhat failing
aeath, she had decided not
y add to her cares, but to
ts aef pleasures, in begging Flora to spend
ss ue season at Haphazard. And Flora
va sss !, nothing 10th: She stepped from
ms numbering old stage late on one
s,anan t,,lner afternoon, in the jauntiest of
u.aVeilng toilets, with the most killing
u has perched upon her shapely head
"a "a very bewitching picture Of girl of
Sss iss period, the soft fluffy curls upon
;n Sss wn,te forehead, the dark eyes shin
NY ms WIN mischief, the wild rose blushing
s!a Spon cheek and chin, and a ready
ras suaie anout the mobile lips. Bell felt
sa;saaenly old and faded and dowdy be-
y. s.ae ner' and upbraided herself smartly
-, on.sI sae sensation. She went up to her
sSsss EsS room with her, threw open the
Suas' pointed out the views, and helped
h.. do hope you won't find it stupid
MY. o.e, riora,' she said; "that time will
s;a.l y. nang heavy upon your hands. So
at-n onAo'io' " oe SURF
suppose there isn't such an article
d arissn'ieman riaa within ten miles," yawn-
eon,a "eil, ' they are not as plenty as !
~ MN ', wish, for your sake, l confess. We
ter 81 atMays va living in hopes that the mas
gsr % " az, rihe Hill will return and endan-
sa sa our monotony-you can see the
do,' ds's :, OF the mansion from this win
but II l. mere, behind that belt of pines
,Ssrass h. ns prefers the gay world. And then
o,ns s ), our rector; he is very good com.