The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1877-12-20

other with hatred that owed its sus-
tenance on the one side to contempt, and
on the other to malice and all unchar-
itableness. To-day will behold the tri-
umph or discontinue of Blanchard. In
the Police-court of Singlebridge, in the
presence of a. crowd of people, the ma
iority of whom are personally known to
him, Harold White stands accused, on
the united testimony of the Westbrooks,
father and son, of embezzlemenI.
To the profound chagrin of the mag
istrates' clerk, who, cordially disliking
Blanchard, wishes well to the accused,
the latter conducts his own defense.
"Silence in the court!'
OF the four actors in the little drama
old Mr.. .Westbrook betrays the most ag-
itatior as the opening of door at the
back of the court heralds the return of
the magistrates to their seats on the
bench The silence is oppressive when,
ina voice full Of feeling, the chairman
turns to the accused and says:
"Harold White, l, who have known
you for so many years, need not say
that the long examination which my
brother magistrates and myself have
this day conducted to the very best of
our ability has been to all of us fraught
with considerable pain. And we are
bound to admit, in your behalf, that
nothing has transpired in the course of
this hearing, which reflects in the least
on your conduct during the period to
which | refer. We have given due con-
sideration to this fact in your favor, and
have come to the conclusion, actuated
by motives which we earnestly hope
you will live to appreciate in a proper
spirit, to dismiss this case. You may
60" FkfEE fJSy
"But my character," exclaimed
White, in a voice husky with emotion;
/" who is to clear .thstsof taintp"
YOURSELF" solemnly answered the
chairman. "Call the next case.'
Dazed, trembling under the influence
Of warning passions, he left the dock
and passed out of the court into the
sunlit stNetI Whittier should he direct
his feet? As he slowly and mechanic
ally, seeing nothing, hearing nothing,
with bowed head and leaden gait, stole
along in the direction of the riverside,
he felt touch on his arm He paused.
1t was one Of Mr.. Nestbrook's clerks.
The lads mouth was tremulous with
sympathy.
"Mr. Westbrook has sent me with
this note, Mr.. White. Is there any an
swer?n ,t .....,s.: j.. ,..,....,....,...
"Yes," he replied, tearing the paper
into atoms, =" there is. Mr.. Westbrook
wishes to see me. Tell him that we
shall not meet again until he is prepared
to stand up in that court house, and
pray to be allowed to proclaim my in
nocence in tones as load as those which
he used to-day in declaring my guilt
y The lad left him. The September
sun was sinking redly behind
a familiar belt of woods which
fringed.the further banks of the river as
he continued his moody walk He had
held on for miles, needless of the direc-
ton he took, and now he awoke from
his fit of passionate bitterness to find
himself on spot that had often been
hallowed by the presence of the girl he
loved. What did she think of him?
"Haroldi" sa-fas az #---4s7...fra g.
"Fanny!'' s,,s a sod.
In those two words all was expressed.
In that fierce embrace doubt was slain.
go Harold, / have followed you for
hours, fearing to speak, you looked so
pale and changed !''Ig .s-..
81 am changed. They have not sent
me to prison, Fan, but the prison faint
is on me. Why don't you shrink from
the moral leper, as the rest of them
have done?"
"Because ''-and it seemed to him as
though her voice had never thrilled
with such sweetness before know
you"
"And you believe
"That all will be righted yet. / can
wait, dear--if you will let me. You
never were more precious to me than
you are at this moment
"Miss Westbrook- Come, Fanny,
this is no place for you.''
Harold and she had not heard the
footsteps. 1t was Blanchard and her
brother who had approached unnoticed.
"And no place for you, either,n said
White to Blanchard.
-" Faugh," replied the worthy, 81
have no words to waste on such as you,
sir. l am here to perform Duty
Scoundrel!" Harold began, at the
same time raising his hand. She touched
him, and he was still. T.
"Sir,'' said she, 81 am mistress of
my own actions. If choose to accom-
pany my brother, it is-because l
choose! Harold, good-bye! Come what
may, my faith viii not fa1ter, my love
never change" ,mt a,4
g The last four words were murmured.
As she shaped them she reached for
word and kissed him before her brother,
whose surprise at her defiant attitude