The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1882-03-02

believe FL get him to scratch me off
something nice, and I'll send it to the
girl l want to have for my valentine all
through the year."
People can't always get what they
want, was Mays sententious answer.
MAY be the one you like don't like
you.''
Don't talk nonsense, May" said
Elsie, "and let's see which can first
reach that stunted old tree on the other
side.'
so in another instant the merry trio
were flying over the ice in a hotly-con-
tested race.
Aday later.
:" Tousin Ally, please let Mamie tum
in," said baby-voice outside the door
and two chubby hands pounded Justify
upon the heavy oaken panels in the hope
to expedite ''Cousin Allys movements.
Another instant and the door was
opened, and Alice Anstruther caught the
child up in her arms and kissed her.
without noticing that she had a compan-
ION III another tiny sister who had reached
the mature age of six.
But $ Here's me, too, Tousin Ally.,,'
plped small voice, and Kitty was in
turn kissed and made welcome.
1t was not long before the little runa-
ways We're missed from the nursery, and
Miss Alleyn, their young governess,
came in search of them to Miss Anstruth-
err room.
" You rogue" she said, smilingly, as
she shook her finger at Kitty, % why did
you let Mamie come and bother Miss
Anstruther?''
!" Mamie tuned, and I TUNED to bring
her." said Kitty, '.and we don't bother
Tousin Ally, does wep''
6 No. pet, not in the least. Come in,
Miss Alleyn; l promised the children to
show them my serap-album, and as there
are some things in it worth the attention
OF grown people, perhaps you would like
to look it over with them.n
Grace Alleyn accepted the invitation,
and was soon engrossed with the pict-
ures. AS she sat with her head bent and
her eyes cast down. Alice took the op-
portunity to satisfy her wish to have a
good look at her face. 1t had charmed
her artistic nature at the first glimpse
she had obtained of it, when the evening
before her cousin had introduced her to
her, and closer study of it did not les
sen the attraction. A rich bloom lay
upon the round cheeks and colored the
pouting lips. A purple darkness brooded
upon the heavy, curling masses of hair
which had evidently been cut short at no
distant period, for it was only Just long
enough to cluster in great round rings
about her head.
Suddenly, as Alice gazed, death-like
pallor overspread Miss Alleyn's face,
and she fixed her eyes upon picture as
though fascinated by it. After time
she turned them upon Alice with an in
tense question in their brilliant depths,
IS she asked, in a low, strained Voice.
$ VIII you forgive me if seem to be
taking the liberty hardly warranted by
our short acquaintance? I hear you are
soon to be married. Is that gentleman
your intended husbandp'
AS Alice glanced at the portrait her
Ups curved into an amused smile.
''Wayne Clifton is my cousin. We are
ust like brother and sister," she said.
A low cry startled her; but Grace Al
Gyms next words enlightened her as to
he cause of her strange agita ion.
80, Miss Anstruther," she exclaimed,
loarsely, .spity me! I, who might have
been at this moment the happiest wom-
IN upon this earth, am instead the most
Fretehed of mortals. Take warning
rom me and guard against jealousy as
7ou would against taking serpent to
our heart. 0, Wayne, see it all now.
Veil might your love turn to hater'
AlIce's beautiful eyes were radiant
With happy thought. She went up to
trace and put her arms about her.
$50 you are sGrace?' - she said, soft
y, ''whom Wayne loved so dearly-his
promised wife. You naughty girl to al
most break my poor Cousins heart. I
hought I should hate you if l ever met
'ou, but don't one bit. love you, for
see that you are as unhappy as he is,
nd that there has been mistake. VIII
ou let me be peacemakerP''
What more she intended to say re-
NAMED unspoken. for an interruption
anne. Elsie rushed into the room, eager
nd glowing from her walk to the post
flee.
go, Cousin Ally, see what lovely
alentine has been sent to me, and it |
mt any of your stupid boughten ones;
IS hand-painted, and I know who did |
J. It's Mr.. Wayne Clifton, who's visit
1g Harry Wallis brother-he's his col
,ge chum, Harry says
Grace had re recovered her self-posses-
ion by this time, and, but for the
'embling of the hand which stroked |
Iamie's curls, one would not have
nown that she had heard the name
Isles rosy lips had uttered.
Alice examined the valentine admir-
lgly, and then handed it to Grace, say
lg:
"Wayne is quite an artist What
retty fancy that is. l will leave you to
,ok at for moment while 1 show Elsie
gift l have for her. Cousin Ally's val
ntine is useful one."
Another moment and with delighted
ICE Elsie was trying on sealskin skat-
lg cap, while Alice took the opportunity
, whisper to her,
81 want you to ask Harry as you
Ill him, to tell Mr. Clifton his Cousin
lice is visiting at your house, and that
le wishes to see him as soon as he can