The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1881-03-31

elor, dependent, IN many respects,
upon my housekeeper, who, though a
good woman in her way, / am afraid is
not reliable in matters of taste. AS nv
furniture has arrived, but has not vet
been arranged, | would esteem it a real
service If you would give me your opin-
ION IN some little matters respecting its
proper disposition. My carriage IS at
the door ready to carry you over.''
But" said Esther, a little hesita-
tingly, 81 do not claim to have much
taste. | fear | shall prove no more re-
liable in that respect than your house
keeper"
Il have but to look around me-
said Mr.: Bigelow, politely. "to be fully
satisfied upon that point
Esther's cheek flushed with pleasure
at this compliment and she made prep
arations to comply with her new vis-
itor's request.
1t was not without a little conscious
ness OF the singularity of her position,
That Esther found herself riding by the
side of gentleman with whom she had
scarcely exchanged half a dozen words
ID the course of her life The distance,
however, was but short, and she had
little time for reflection. On arriving
at her place of destination, she found
the chief part of the business accom-
plished. The furniture, which, by the
way, was new and handsome, had been
arranged in the rooms after a fashion,
but Esther was able to point out several
changes for the better, with all of which
Mr.. Bigelow professed himself delight
ed; he, moreover, asked her advice as
to the proper place in which to hang
several fine pictures that he had picked
up in the course of his European travels.
This was accorded with some hesita-
ton.
Mr.. Bigelow would not be satisfied
without showing his new found acquaint-
ance all over the house, from kitchen to
garret. When all was completed, he
overpowered her with protestations of
gratitude for her kind service, and
landed her at her door just five minutes
before her brother came in. Esther was
rather glad of this, as she was a little
suspicious that her brother would con-
slider her adventure rather a Quixotic
one.
To avoid comment, she did not even
inform Philip that she had ever met
Mr.. Bigelow. He took frequent oppor-
tunities to call upon her, on some Slight
pretext or another, but it always
chanced to be at a time when her
brother was absent.
81 WONDER" said Philip, carelessly,
as he sat by the fire one evening,
g whether Mr.. Bigelow will not be
looking out for wife before long?"
"I-I don't know" said Esther, and
in her embarrassment dropping half a
dozen stitches from the stocking which
she held in her hand.
"Not that approve of marriage at
least, in my own case," said Philip, not
noticing this demonstration, "but it may
be different with Mr.. Bigelow He has
no sister to superintend his establish
ment. | don't know, however. whether
there is anybody likely to suit him in
this village. Let me see-there is Miss
Preston; she might do.''
mo. | don't think she would suit
him at ALL" said Esther, with a spirit
which considerably surprised her broth
er ''She knows very little about house
keeping .@~ s.~
"Why, / thought you and Miss Pres
ton were friends,'' said Philip, little
puzzled.
"Well, so we are,n returned Esther
in her usual tone; "but II hardly
think she would suit Mr.. Bigelow."
Perhaps not,'' he rejoined, and so
the conversation ended.
From the conversation which we have
recorded above, the reader will obtain
some insight into the character of Es-
ther's feelings toward Mr.. Bigelow. She
would hardly confess 1t to herself; but as
a matter of fact her ideas of marriage
had suffered material change within a
brief period.
Meanwhile the gentleman continued
his visits. Oftentimes he would ask to
see the bed of flowers on which Esther
rather prided herself, and sometimes
he would petition for seeds, being very
fond of flowers, as he said. and very
anxious to introduce them in his own
garden.
On one of these occasions Mr.. Bige-
low, after n little visible embarrass-
ment, said hesitatingly:
81 would like to ask your advice,
Miss Esther, on rather a delicate sub
ject, and one of great Importance to
myself There is one thing wish to
secure to make my establishment com
plete, but hardly know in what man.
ner to ask for it, a.
What is it you refer to?' asked
Esther, unsuspiciously.
' A wife," was the significant reply.
Instantly deep crimson flushed
Esther cheeks. She did not trust her
self to speak.
"Need 1 say that you are the one.
whom, of all others, would seek to
place in that position?'
He took her unresisting hand and
kissed it with all the gailantry of a
young lover.
g But what will my brother say?'' in
quired Esther, when she found voice to
speak.
What should he say? You are your
own mistress, surely?"
+" Yes, but he is always ridiculing the
idea of marriage, and couldn' venture
to tell him.
"No need of it, Let's run away to
New York and get married. You know