The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1882-04-13
doing her duty. and the girl really do
sired to do some good in the world. y.,a

| she belonged to the DorcaS Society.
that met once week to sew for the poor.
and to the Mite Society and other kindred
associations. She taught in SUNDAY
school, was member Of literary clrIb.
and she often said she had scarcely "a
moment to call her own.
Astrangef was speaking. It was a man
freshly caught in the. temperance net.
and ne houndered and blundered until
it was apositive pain to look at and lister
Belle Lockwood, who sat next next to Kate Raj !
whispered something in her ear fhatt
made her laugh, and then she caught the
eye OF Bessv Birch. Bessy shook her
head, and Kate hooked at her music, and
then back at Bessy again. - asFTI
FOR long time she gazed, growing
more thoughtful every moment. Earlier
IN the evening she had overheard some
one say: 'Did you ever see a happier
looking woman than Bessy's rnotherp Or
q Younger 2 One would take, them for
Somehow the words had fingered in
kate's mind ,and now she turned and
looked at Bessy's mother. There She
sat, serene and smiling, every now and
then nnodding to Bessy, as something was
said or done that met with her approval.
4 Yes, she was looking as young, almost,
as Bessy. herself. And as Kate watched
her, she remembered that they seemed
alwaysito take delight in each other. Al
most everywhere, they were together. i
T Mamma is my beau.n How often
she had heard Bessy say that. Some
way her own mothers sad, pale face
forced Itself before her. '''s - 'ss.a' {
1 .M mother only looked like that, y she
sighed; if mother would only be bright
and stirring and go about with me!,' =
And then it occurred ito. her. that she
had never really thought of that before.
She had preferred Johnny-the clumsy
lad that she cared no more for than any
other friend, only that she liked to show
her power over him. s4.ft s4*,I. ss.st..sl
1t was not quite honorable. She felt
herself blush. If Johnny were to ask her
tomorrow, she could not marry him.
How much nobler and better Bessy was
acting! aass e49f5 sssa3HFa s25II.
Z And there was poor mother all alone.
Nobody to speak to, evening after even
ing, seldom going out, except to church
and SO much prettier than Mrs. Birch!
Why, yes, prettier and younger-looking!
II only she had 3sosne Incentive, she
would be mother to be proud of. ~ II
s'How selfish have been" she thought
with a sigh. fG sssfsiffsasts9 J8oy = "
.sKate! are you dreamingp Didn'tyou
hear them give, out the hymn?''
Itwas Johnny who spoke, and Kate
almost resented his attention. He found
the place, opened the music, lowered
about her, till the girls cheeks burned
agaln--everybody was, looking at them.
Johnny, I'm going home with Bessy.''
she said, at the close Of the evening
ssYou take some one else tonight. Ia,
Johnny stepped aside like one stunned,
conscious that something had offended
the girl-he could not tell zwhat-and
Kate walked home on the other side Of
Bessy's motler;' for they passed Kate s,
house. IL .a,.,....[s ss. s.-.
Doesn't Mrs. Raynor ever go outP'
asked Mrs. Birch, unconscious Of the
sting in the question. ss.It seems as if
she would enjoy these meetings. You
see, Bessy won't 60 anywhere without
= .mother,' and serve enjoy all the good
things together
s With these words sounding in her ears.
Kate reached home and went in. 1t had
seemed rather odd to without Johnny, 8
but she respected herself more when she
thought of his commonplace, even silly
remarks, and his often-recurring laugh.
Her mother had evidently been asleep,
and it smote the girls newly awakened
conscience to meet the weary. sad smile.
81 never thought how lonesome YOU
would be, = she said, with kiss SO ten
der that it thrilled the aching heart.
J 'sO-well-Mrs. Grace was here a little
while, said her mother.
3 Deliver me from her societyr'
laughed Kate. - Nobody escapes her
mereiless tongue ,siisis q f
4 4 ditin' 'texpectyouso soon or e have
had little chocolate. Did-who came
home with youP'' asH'
5 . Bessy and her beau,n said Kate. /
] I Bessy and whop' asked her mother.
/" / didn't know any young man waited
upon Bessy. ID ssssssI j S,rEausl..ss saB /
g All, you don't know everything!
Bessv has the incest beau you ever saw
perfectly devoted 70 her, and I'm igo-
ing to have just such another.a Z have
done with Johnny.''9 - seasia.i sei9gH
4 Well, you astonish me-" said Mrs.
i" I didn't know as I should
ever be curious again. How long has it'll
beenp / never saw her with anybody
but her mother. ~ 14sss sse
ssAnd that's Just what meant said |
Kate, her eyes dancing. :. Mother, pve
been asleep this long, long while, and
ryejust walked up to realize what I've
been dreaming about, and to feel sorry
for it. Do you know that am ashamed
Of myself, because I have neglected and
forgotten you., You are ever so much |
younger and prettier than Bessy's moth |
er and if you will accept the office viii |
have you instead of Johnny, hereafter.
for companion. I've walked up to real
ize that nobody does, or ever win, love |
me IS mother does -''ss,4sr cit Iusl sw j
80 my dear childr' exclaimed her
mother, with d half-sob, taking her III |
her arms, ssthis repays me for all thepast.
| have sometimes not often-felta q little |
neglected and lonesome since your father
1ieds and to5nightI was thinking what |