The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1878-09-05

to his prayers, which he poured forth
| in the privacy of his own apartments.
Thus passed away three months, and at
tthe end Of that time Mr.. Williams called
the young man into the counting-room
one evening after the rest OF the people
had gone.
Well, Charles" the merchant com
menced, how would you like to
change your boarding-pla 'e?'
There was something in the look and
tone of the man as he spoke these words.
that made the youth start. The blood
rlshedte his face and anon he turned
pale. g
2" If you would like" the merchant
7 resumed, in the same low, strange tone,
"you may come and board with me. /
will not deceive you, Charles. Until
Icould know that you would entirely
reform, dared not carry you to my
house; but L am satisfied now. / have
not doubted you, but would prove you.
And now, if you please, You can inform
Mrs. Swan that you shall board with
her no more She will not be disap-
pointed. for l have spoken with her on
the subject 'sa
With these words Mr. Williams left
the store, and as soon as Charles could
recover from the strange emotions that
had almost overpowered him, he called
the porter to come and lock up, and
then having locked up the great safe, he
took his departure.
On the next morning he came to the
store, and when his employer came, he
informed him that he had given his no.
tice to Mrs. Swan. a
"Very well,,' returned the merchant.
"This evening, then, you will go home
with me-"
Evening came, and Charles Aubrey
accompanied his friend home Tea was
ready, the rest of the family having
eaten an hour before. After tea Charles
was conducted to the sitting-room,
where lamps were burning, and where
Mr.. Williams informed him he could
amuse himself by reading. Charley sat
down there, and his employer went out,
but he could not read. Thus he sat,
when the door slowly opened, and
female appeared within the apartment.
With a quick step he sprang forward,
and without q word he caught a fair
girl to his bosom sf ' 4. I.
g Mary" he uttered, as he gazed into
the sparkling eyes of the fair being who
still clung fondly to him, ssy GU still love
me you forgive me ali-and trust me
once morep'' 59',.,.si j...is
g Yes,' she murmured; and ere she
| could speak further her father entered
the room, szssss.ss-ssss~<ss.
saba! So you've found him, have
you, Maryp" he cried, in a happy, joy
GUS tone.
"Mr. Williams uttered Charles,
still holding Mary by the hand and
speaking with difficulty, 81 hope I'm
not deceived. Oh, you have not brought
me here to kill me! You can not have
passed this cup to my lips only to dash
it away again!'' sesxsSxs
"Of course not,' said the merchant
/" But you must know the whole truth,
and for fear my child may not.tell you,
IllteHs you myself. This noble girl has
never ceased to love you, and when you
were the lowest down she loved you the
most. She came to me and asked me if
she might save you il she could. /
could not tell her nay, and she went to
work. She has suffered much, and,
Charles, it remains with you to decide
4 whether her future shall be one of hap
piness or not. She knew that you were
down. that your money was all gone,
and that your false friends had forsaken
i YOU Then her love for you grew bold
and strong She wondered if You would
/ repulse her. She knew not what might
/ be your feelings, and to save herself
4 from the pain Of direct repulse from
you, she assumed disguise, so that she
might approach you without being
known. and yet gain some idea Of your
feelings, and save you if she could. I
think she has done well. At any rate
she has regained you to herself, and it
must now be your fault if the silken tie
is Ioosed again" -
And with these words the father left
the apartment.
You, Maryp You in disguisePn he
queried, as soon as he could speak.
"Ay, my dear Charles; and you know
why | did it. Here-do you not remem-
Der it?'' And as she spoke she drew
from her bosom small silken purse and
took therefrom sixpence.
The youth recognized it. in an instant.
"Oh!' he cried, as he strained the
mobile girl to his bosom, awhat. can I
say? Mary, Mary, my own heart truest
klove, let my life in the years to come tell
my gratitude. Oh, my all of life is yours.
and mylast breath shall bear your name
in gratitude to God!'
1ze$ s.ssFsES -