The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1877-03-29
VANCE VARIAN.

UOuuu lOl III paw LII PdI olCulniJ ndo
when the brakeman shouted "New-
town, = he thought he would like to hear
the roar of old ocean As the salt sea
breezes came to his face, he suddenly
remembered that the Ogdens, old
friends, remote relatives, if he remem-
bered rightly, of his family. lived here
The Ogden boys and girls that used to
visit at his fathers house were grown
men and women now. Should he visit
themP In ten years he had not trou-
bled relative of his with his presence
he was not going to do it now, and
least of all these Puritanical Ogdens
His old playmates, he supposed, grew
up as straig ht-laced as their father, and
if they did, they would wish him well
at distance.
81 think III call upon them, just for
fun-just to see how Silas Ogden and
his family of saints will receive such q
sinner rs l."
At Is Vance Varian had run away
from home of luxury and joined a
travelling show. He was % now, and
during the last ten years he had led a
gay, vagabond sort of life, caring for
no one but himself, living for nothing
but fun.
Never was the Prodigal Son of old
received with more warmth and kind
ness than was he by Silas Ogden, his
wife and daughter, his youngest-b
Cecilia, the only child at home. John
and William were away preaching to
focks of their own, and Esther was
away with her husband, helping him to
perform his duty in the land of heath.
ems.
"Why did I stop here? Why did
come to this house? Fate must surely
be at work." said Vance Varian to him
self. Three days passed away, and still
he felt no inclination to leave, and pro-
coed on his way to no place in particu-
lar. He sat watching Cecilia from I'M
der his eyelids. What face she had.
Not handsome-not even pretty, if ev-
cry feature was measured by the artistic
rule of beauty-but it was what can not
always be said of pretty face, singu-
larly attractive.
Her father, they said, was never strict
enough with her, but he did very
wise thing when he selected a steady
going man like young Graham for her
evil you come with us to church to
morrow? MIR. Graham is to preach in
papa's place, and l know that his SER
mon will please you" She did not look
up at him, but kept on with her sewing
as she spoke.
Still studying her face, he said ::
How do you know his sermon will
please meP''
The sapphire eyes were raised to his
face now with a look of surprise, and
over the pearly face came faint tint of
pink. T
81 do not think you are so very hard
to please" she said, smiling, 'sand
never knew any body yet that his
sermon failed to please. There is a
magnetism in his voice and manner
that makes you take every word he at
tiers home to yourself. You know how
hayward | am; my conduct often hor-
rifles my fathers people. But, oh, I
feel so good when Mr.. Graham talks to
me; my wicked heart is filled with awe
and reverence, and 1 think will never
do any thing wrong again, and I don't
until the next time. 1t is 30 hard,
you know, for ones heart to be always
filed with awe, though it would be an
easy matter enough If Mr.. Graham was
always near me; but he has other sim
ners to attend to, and-now, you are
laughing at me-"
Vance Varian was laughing, but when
he said:
"Oh, no; I'm not laughing at you,"
he spoke truthfnlly.
He was not laughing at her, but he
was laughing to hide the strange emo
ton which the words of the minister's
daughter stirred within his bosom.
WE'LL" he said carelessly, "Mr.
Graham may be all that you describe
him, but his sermon will not please me.
for all that. was never PLEASED with
a sermon in my life, neither was ever
particularly displeased with one. You
see l am not a church. goer. Never
went to church since l left home, I'M
less | happened to be caught in some
quiet out-of-the-way place on Sunday,
where there was no other show open.
Out of sheer desperation would 90 to
church and listen, not to the sermon
but to the music. Have you choir in
your church,"
"Yes," she answered, very quietly,
the enthusiasm having all died out of
her voice.
"Do you sing in itP"
She nodded her head.
"Then shall go and listen to your
singing tomorrow.
"And not to the sermonp" a !
"Not to the Sermon" and Vance
laughed again.
The needlework dropped from Cecil
as fingers. She crossed her hands
lpon her lap, and fixed her beautiful