The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1879-10-02

and the sweep of the light skirts about
him as they moved gently thrilled Vic
tor, and he felt that after all women
would average better than men, and
that the airy, gentle creature at his side,
fond of Irritation as she might be, would
need to be wooed shyly and won almost
in spite of herself.
AS they reached the creek Beatrice
seated herself on the grassy bank and
Victor reclined lazily beside her. OPP
posite to them the moon was going
down, and its reflection in the water
seemed to be a gently-swaying bridge OF
silver inviting them to pass over it into
lovers paradise beyond = albeit il
might be a FOOLS paradise.
al shall never forget this brook where
you caught me as if were mermaid,
Monsieur Parlenon," said Beatrice
g You must have thought me silly that
day."
Victor raised his hand depreca.
tin !! y, oo..... ;, ,on+;nuo, .,o. adv,
you think me sillyP''
Remember my infirmity, mademoi-
selle," answered Victor sadly.
"Pardon me,'' she responded. &C
am very needless. You are the last one
to whom l would give pain and she
paused. Then she continued, "But il
seems as if l had received more light
within few weeks
"And sweetness, too" added Victor
"And light and sweetness, according
to the poet, are all that a modern SOU
needs.''
alt seems to me-" murmured Beat:
trice, "as if there were something more
needed
"And that is?''
"Why, love. Don't you believe il
love, Monsieur Parlenon?''
"Oh, yes; of course. Every body
does, you know. Are you in love
mademoisellep'
Yes-why-I don't know. What dc
you mean, monsieur"
Victor made no response, and Beatrice
continued: "You startled me so wher
YOU asked me that. Somehow [ am moi
my own self tonight
"Whose self are you?n asked Victor
Some ones else"
Her beautiful eyes met his gaze, !;
softly murmured "yes" escaped hel
lips and she half put up her mouth fol
a kiss-the most delicate way in which
a woman can express her love, a;
Beatrice well knew.
There was no need of further linger
ing by the creek, and the pair took theil
way to the pension, Beatrice hanging or
Victor's arm in all the glory of full pos
session. They parted at the foot of the
stairs with a simple " Good night" Al
Beatrice reached the top of the staircase
she looked down and seeing Victor gag
ing thoughtfully after her she threw him
kiss and disappeared. She entered
her mothers room and threw herself
breathless into chair.
"Well, Beatrice cried Nine. Beator
inquiringly.
"He is as good as married to me-
mother"
"Thank heaven" exclaimed the wild.
ow devoutly, "that much is off my
hands,
Women are privileged to jump at con.
illusions except in the exact sciences
and marriage is not yet an exact science
his mind was filed with regrets.
The next morning Nine Beaton
searched for and caught Victor before
breakfast. She made an attempt to EN-.
brace him crying:
Monsieur Parlenon, Victor, the dear
girl has told me all and am SO happy,
so proud"
"To what do you refer?n he STAN.
mered.
"To what do 1 refer?" she repeated
"Is it possible you have been trifline
with my child's affections But no; il
can not be; the very thought would kill
me-"
'sI am afraid, Madame Victor man.
aged to say, that there is some misap-
prehensiOn.
"Misapprehension!" she cried excit.
edly. "Do yo refuse to acknowledge
that you engaged yourself to my daugh.
ter?''
EYES," frantically cried Victor; and
darting past his woud-be mother-in-law
he rushed to his room.
Nine. Beaton struck her mouth say.
agely with her clenched hand. After al
her scheming and planning she had put
her crucial question in the wrong form
and Victor had taken advantage of it
Before she could collect her thoughts
Victor had left the pension. He was
soon followed by madame and he1
daughter; but the two beings whose ml-
tual destinies depended upon monosyl
liable never met again.