The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1879-01-23


Nellie! Why won't you marry me?"
Then Mrs. Wizards face grew little
paler, and her plump, fair hands
trembled. ~s.
"Because, Harry, because Wilson
Willard, on New Years day, made me
promise never to marry again"
50 Stuff and nonsense! What if he
did. A bad promise is better broken
than kept.''
Mrs. Willard twisted her ring uneasi-
", and looked at the Illuminated shield
of the stone.
81 know it is,p she said, slowly,
"but-"
Mr.. Levison looked earnestly at her.
"Yes-sbut' what. Nellie? In all re-
spect I say it-poor VIII is dead and
gone; and you have been true to his
memory, all these long years, and whas
has he to do with you now?"
81 know" she said meditative
" but-but, Harry, he made me solemn
ly promise never to marry again under
penalty of his everlasting displeasure.
And-don't be angry with me, Harry,
will you? But almost knOao he would
appear to mel"
The lovely blue eyes were lifted in
such piteous appeal to his, and the pref
ty little widow made such q nervous lit
tie move nearer to him, that it was the
most human thing in the world for Mr..
Levison to put his arm protectingly
around her and assure her he was not
angry with her.
$50 you believe he would haunt you,
Nellie, if you broke your promise? A
sensible little woman like you to verita-
bly, believe in such superstitious fol-
derol! And, after having waited for you
ten years of your married-life, and three
years of your widowhood, you condemn
me to hopelessness for the sake of such
a chimera-for the sake of such shad-
ow as your husbands ghost!''
And Nellie looked imploringly at him
again, and her lips quivered, and the
tears stood in great crystals on her long
| lashes.
"Oh, Harry, how cruel you are! You
kaoaU / love you better than all the
world, only-I dare not marry again
Don't be angry-please don't be angry
with me!'
And Mr.. Levison looked down at her
lovely face, and assured her he never
could be angry with her, and then went
away heaping maledictions on the head
of the defunct husband who had been
tyrant enough to burden his young wife
with such promise. .t.
The last sunset rays were flngine
their golden and scarlet pennons on the
pale, blue-gray sky, when Mr.. Levison
opened the door of his cozy sitting-room
at home, to be met by the laughing face
and gay welcome of a young gentleman,
who had evidently been making himself
at home while he waited.
{" Heigho, Levison! Surprised to see
me? How are you, old fellow-how
are you?''
Mr. Levison stared second, Their
greeted him warmly. ...-.
"Fred Willard! Where in the name
of goodness did you spring fromp Why
l thought you were not to sail from
England for long six months yet. Ole
boy, bless you, I'm glad to see you, al
though for the instant l confess | wa:
startIed-you are the living image O
your brother Wilson. We've been dis
cussing ghosts, you know
Young Wizards eyes cleaned mis-
chievously, as he Interrupted irrever
emily:
"sWe' is good, Lev. You mean my
pretty little sister-in-law, of course.
know she religiously believes in 'em.
know am impatient to see her-for thu
first time since Wills funeral!"
Mr.Levison had been looking thought
fully at the embers glowing, like melt
ed rubies, behind the silver bars of tn,
CRATE; now he turned suddenly to Fred
and laid his hand persuasively on hi
shoulder.
"See here, Fred; you are friend o
mine, and am about to put your friend
ship to the test. Iwant you to do me
very great favor; will your"
Fred laughed.
evil IP OF course will. What
up"
And Mr. Levison turned the keys O
the doors, and the consultation lastet
until the housekeeper rang the dinner
bell.
Five hours later the moon was jus
creeping over the tops of the trees, max
ing perfect flood of silver-gold glor,
on the quiet scene, and Mrs. Willard
with a tleecy-white zephyr shawl ant
her crepe brown hair, was standing a
the kitchen door, on her return from
/. tour of inspection to the snug little barr
and carriage-house, which she had per
sonally seen was secure for the night
ever since her husbands death.
Her cheeks were flushed to the tint O
an oleander flower by the keen kiss O
the frosty air, and her eyes were glow
ing like blue fires as she stood there on
moment in the broad band of whit
moonlight that lay athwart the floor lik
a silent blessing. Then, with it'll
involuntary exclamation at the perfec
beauty of the NIGHT she went in looka,