The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1879-11-13
cradle little waif like that-phew, it's


then gave himself up TO the subject in
hand, which so engrossed his mind, that
he forthwith fersot-the -existence OF lit
tie Miss Turpin. But she, upon her
part, repeated over and over the words
Of voting DR. Blake, blushing again
when she became conscious of the fact
that she really had the 'temerity to
dwell upon his genial but commonplace
courtesy. | .'.'7' 80. ..t -
Miss Turpin's work was delicate and
artistic, but net soulabsorbing, like the
doctors. She could tint herphotographs
all the better for this little episode in, her
life. The vines and tendrils took tender
shapes under her deft little fingers; a
shy, sweet melancholy helped to make
the shadows at least more and more per-
feet; under the rosebuds grew the
thorns but there seemed to lurk even
in their cruelty subtle, mysterious
charm. 1t was enough for Miss Turpin
to dream. The physical and practical
reality of the Doctors nearness had it's
weight, but not consciously so, to the
little woman. She never ventured to
getup a eramp or cough for the sake Of
stamping niorel clearly his shape into
these vague but extravagant feats ct
fancy. In truth, 50 timid and afraid
was she Of practical joy that She actual
ly stunned and shrank from it APP
proach.s..s .,yass9gsTaia*
But more and more imposing, grand
er and grander grew this ona figure Of
her fancy around which revolved the
satellites of health and wealth, popular
ity and fame-aH that could render life
sweet and desirable.
Perhaps it is detrimental to my he
roine to say that she would have been
quite content to have lived upon 1.-THE
fruits of her own fancy for the remain
der Of her natural life. Had circunl-
stances compelled her to change her
abode, and had she thus lost sight Of
Doctor Blake, the dreams would have
gone along just the same. the fact of his
dying in neighboring hospital Of weak
ness and want, and the quenching of all
her material in pauper,'s grave not in
terfering in the least with Miss Turpin's
airy fabric. 1t would have been impos-
sible. tosconvince Miss Turph that he
could reach so dire an extremity, had
not. the knowledge been forced in upon
her i'm way that she could not ssfsse
She absolutely heard the grllff voice
of MrgsS haslraeh sqpon the smorning in
question, and the low, musical, but Bit
terly mocking words of the Doctor in
reply N hlik 2fIotfoE e31nsI
She sat down upon, the rug, and
clasped both her hands. He was going
away then. Until that moment she had
not realized the extent of such disaster.
She could have borne, perhaps, to have
been compelled to 60 away herself be-
cause the Inevitable for her had become,
long since, a. matter of course; but to
have the iron hand of memorable neces-
sity grasp this magnificent young man
was terrible He had the flashing eyes,
the lordly mien, the exultant step-for
thus had little 7lissr Turpin, been, wont to
classify the somewhat alluring. personal
attractions Of young BlSieAlfes to be-
come the prey of an adverse destiny!
Miss Turpin's breakfast that morning
was failure. By dint of long practice
and an exceedingly gracious gift OF
get up extraordinary little meals for
hersef! Itwas as ifsa little, sooty an
gel sat UP aloft in the chimney and as
sisted. the, culinary efforts of the lone
| little woman Her toast was Of brown
the most golden, her coffee was tot
Mocha the most delicious, her bit lot
steak so juicy and appetizing, that some
times poor Blake, in the neighboring
room, with some chunks of brown bread
floating helplessly in a chalky fluid be-
fore him, finding this savory odor under
his nostrils, raised his clenched hands al
the stern wall between them in envy and
| despair.
But even the little angel m the chin
ney became impatient with the be-
haviour of little Miss Turpin that
morning. fIha little swoman, usllallyiso
practicable and capable, while strainine
her ear to listen to faltering, stumbling
steps in the next room, deliberately
burned the foastand sboil6d ttfeseoffee,
and the sooty wings spread themselves,
taking flight in disappshtment and dis,
gust. .s.rw III
= She held her breath sas the familiar
feotstep passed her. door, and, slowly
one by one went. down the worm-eaten
stairs. Oh, where was he going? What
would he dop She had read sometimes
of an evening, when working hours were
over, the !sheded lamp upon the table at
her side, the Goals leaping and blazing
in the refulgent CRATE, her little slippered
feet upon the fender-she had read Of
people who, having neither money,
means. nor conteilt, had drifted into a
moment of frenzy and despair, and thus
leaped the awful bar that separated the
known from the unknown. content to
risk any fate. but which awaited them
here. She had read thus of POOR,
strange unfortunates, and her heart Had
ached in their behalf. But nowp We'll,
now her heart almost ceased 10 beat,
She. put away her work---ofwhataa avail
was it, all blotted and blurred Il}y her
tears or ruined by her shaking brush
All day she feared and .trembled; at
night-fall some intuitive hope, caused
her to brighten the fire. cook q dainty
meal, and, placing the table opposite
the door, leave the tempting, coy room
open on the .1wind-swept, gloomy cor
ridor.s. Il assl. gsg.f.i.s, IL gG1,e,a4q :
Then she waited and waited! The
clock struck at midnight; then /, 2,