The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1879-05-08
overcast. 1 felt that storm was COM

brooding and silent.
Darling" he said, soothingly, "I
knew it would come hardly to you; but
how can go against my motherp her
poor old heart is bound up in me, jean
neatte, and she will never hear Toto
any thing that
"That seems to lower you," I added,
in a steely voice that seemed to cut it's
way out of my heart like keen cold
knife. -. go =
sob, l am coward-a poltroon!"
cried Richard, wringing his hands. ssI
was born to bring trouble on those I
love. Who, who shall leave to suffer
for me now, Jeannette?'
The one who will say the least about
it," [ answered, hardly. My heart was
throbbing heavily, like clock that ticks
the hour OF execution, but l made no
outcry, and we parted in that final part
ing silently. And I have lived silently
ever since.
One year after that heard that Rich
ards mother was dead, and then that
he had married: who, I knew not
who, / cared not. He had married an
other woman while my last words were
yet ringing in his ears-right there, be-
fore the face of the living Heaven, mar
ried another woman, and swore to love
and cherish her, as he had often vowed
to love and cherish me!
But did not seem to feel this blow
as had felt our parting. I just flung
him out of my heart there and then, and
my love and my silence vanished. |
Mt "a fooo of x~,.kl
a smile, and took this little shop in the
village, and worked early and late, and
made it thrive. Then, two years later,
came my little Toddles to me, sitting
like lily on my door step, as if some
angel of peace had dropped her there.
l have named her Theresa, but Toddles
has always been her own pet name for
herself, and l like it because it is hers.
The child has brought me peace.
And | feel no vengeance against any
one now. Nor do l rejoice that Rich
ards wife is said to have turned out i'll,
and spent the wealth she brought him.
But had forgotten the shop in all
this reverie and Renaissance. ~ g9Ys
There was sharp twang of the little
bell, and | heard heavy step in the
doorway. / set down my coffeescup
hastily, and hurried in to confront q
great muscular fellow with big beard
and slouched hat, whose presence
seemed fairly to wipe out the little
shop.
This was rather different type from
my usual customers, and / was a little
shy of him. He hesitated, and seemed
bewildered when spoke to him-men
never do get used to shopping-and it
was some time before / quite made out
what he wanted. 1t was some sort of
woolen goods-a scarf or kerchief, I
think. These were not very salable
stock just now, and had put the box
containing them out of sight somewhere.
While rummaged about, the stranger
stood in the doorway, watching me in
way did not like: perhaps he wanted
to steal something. He looked needy
enough and shabby enough.
"Oh, here they are at last" said l,
eagerly, handing down the package from
high and dusty shelf.
The man did not seem to hear me. He
was looking at Toddles, darling about
like a butterfly outside.
"Whose child is that?" said he, alb.
ruptly.
It was an impudent question, and
felt my blood flush up hotly for mo-
ment. But reflected that this man
looked wayworn and weary; perhaps
he had come long journey, and left
little child like this at home.
"It is my child, said, pleasantly.
"Yours I" he repeated.
"Or at least" said l, +" if not mine, it
was left with me to be cared for"
Left with you." echoed the strang-
er. "Ay, SO have heard. Left with
you by the wretched man, the outcast,
the degraded, who knew none else on
whom to thrust his burden when his tin
seled wife fell from the tight-rope, and
died there, groveling in the sawdust-
knew none other of whom to seek char
ity than the woman who had loved
him."
listened as one stupefied with opium.
What did this man know or guess con-
cerning me and mine? What object
hal he in view in lingering about the
shopP But l said, coolly, !" That is a
story that needs to be proved"
The stranger bent and looked keenly
at me. overly" said he, with q low,
sardonic laugh, /" he has reaped his re-
ward, il seems; he is both dead and for
gotten" a9li.4lI
began to feel afraid of this man,
who seemed bent upon insulting or
alarming me. 9l
pointed sternly to tho door. +" Sir"
said ~" if you are satisfied with the
goods, 1 beg you will take them away.
l have other things to attend to.i'
For a moment after the great hulk
ing figure disappeared through the
doorway Of my little shop 1 covered my
face with my hands, and all the past of
my life rushed entirely over me. I had
not outlived it yet, after all.