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

you are after, eh?"
She did not take umbrage at the sharp
question.
81 am at least sure it is not nv
money he is after, grandpa" she re.
turned, laughing and patting his cheek
Yes, you are at least sure of that
there, | hear the young man coming
himself. Shall l go, Winnie?"
1t was the "young man himself,' u
Ernest Mayberry, with a shadow OF
deep trouble and distress on his face as
ne came straight up to Winnie and
took her hand, then turned to the old
gentleman.
Until an hour ago thought this
would be the proudest, happiest hour
OF my life, sir, for l should have asked
you to give me Winnie for my wife.
Instead, must be content to only tell
you how dearly l love her, and how pa
tiently and hard l will work for her to
give her the home which she deserves
because, Mr.. Wilmington, this morn
ing the house of Mayberry & Thurston
failed, and both families are beggars. -
His handsome face was pale, but his
eyes were bright with determination
and braveness nothing could daunt.
Winnie smiled back upon him, her
own cheeks paling.
"Never mind, Ernest, on my account.
| can wait, too."
Old Mr.. Wilmington's eyes were al
most shut beneath the heavy, frowning
forehead, and quizzical look was on
his shrewd old face as he listened.
"Gone up, Ell? Well, that's too
bad. You stay here and tell Winnie
am just as willing she shall be your
wife when you want her, as if nothing
had happened, because l believe YOU
can earn bread and butter for both of
you, and my Winnie is a contented lit
tie girl. I'll hobble up to the office
and see your father; he and l were
boys together; a word of sympathy
won't come amiss from me-"
And off he strobe, leaving the lovers
alone, getting over the distance in re-
markable time, and presenting his
wrinkled, weather-bea old face in
Mayberry & Thurston's private office,
where Mr.. Mayberry sat alone, with
rigid face and keen, troubled eyes, that,
nevertheless, lighted at the sight of his
old friend. sa. .... ~.
"I'm glad to see you, Wilmington.
Sit down. The sight of man who has
not come to reproach me is comfort"
But Mr.. Wilmington did not sit down
He crossed the room to the table at
which Mr.. Mayberry sat among hope
less array of papers. : .f
"There is no use wasting words,
ayberry, at time like this. Did you
know your son has asked my Winnie to
marry himp" .'f.....-.y -. XIII
Mr.. Mayberry's face lighted second,
then the gloom returned. @t
elf my son had a fortune at his COM
mand, as l thought he had yesterday
at this time, l would say-sGod speed
you in your wooing of Winnie Whining
on As it is-for the girls sake, /
iisapprove." lss5 9a-.f.
$50 you haven't pound over and
above, eh, Mayberryp'' -,,.
"There will be nothing-less than
1 don't know that l really
care so much for myself, but Ernest
t is terrible thing to happen to him
1t the very beginning of his career"
Mr.. Wilmington smiled gleefully.
"Good. Neither do I care for my
self, but for Winnie, my little Winnie.
tell you what, Mayberry, perhaps you
will wonder if | am crazy, but l IL agree
@ settle a quarter OF million on Win
he the day she marries your boy. And
I'll lend you as much more if it'll be
my use, and I'll start the boy for him
elf, if you say so. EhP"
Mr.. Mayberry looked at him in
peechless bewilderment.
Wilmington went on
"I made fortune out in India, and |
t's safe and sound in hard cash in good
lands-a couple of millions. I deter
mined to bring my girl up to depend
N herself, and to learn the value of |
money before she had the handling of |
Ter fortune. She has no idea she's an |
leiress-my heiress. Sounds like a |
tory out of book, eh, MayberryP
Veil, will you shake hands on it, and |
all it bargain?''
Mr.. Mayberry took the little dried-up
and almost reverentially, his voice
oarse and thick with emotion.
"Wilmington, God will reward you
or this. May he, a thousandfold!''
Wilmingtonw winked away sus picious
aoisture on his eyelashes. -l
You see it all comes of that dinner,
Id fellow. You acted like charitable
'hristian gentleman, and between us
7e'll make the BOY and Winnie as hap
y as they deserve, eh?' -5.F
And even Mrs. May berry admits that
was a good thing that her husband
ave that dinner, and when she expects
D see Mrs. Ernest Mayberry an honored
uest at her board, she candidly feels