The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1883-07-05

Frecently married friend, wrote to the
Major about the project, and begged
that he would call and give her. some
assistance among their mutual, 'ac-
quaintances among gentlemen. As the
Major read her note brilliant thought
occurred to him. While talking busi-
fness Miss Nell certainly would not en-
deaYor to tease him; his bashfulness
never troubled him while talking with
ladies on any subjectreguiring common
sense. opinion and executive ability; he
Eshould, therefore. be able TO feel at ease
with Miss sNells and while In that unu-,
sual condition he would make conf
dent of her and ask her advice and as
slstance. He would tryto talk to her
as II she were man; it might be a rash
experiment, but he felt equal to almost
any degree of rashness when he thought
of how many times before he had re-
solved and failed #fai afta,
So the Major went to the Wallerson
'home on the evening appointed by mis-
chievous Miss Nell, with a stouter heart
than he had felt, outside of business
hours, since the war ended. He ar
ranged with the young lady tosbring all
his male friends into the surprise party,
| and she, rather confused by her new
view of the Majors character, wasmost
etfusive in thanks, and being only twen-
ty-three years Of age. and being no old
er than her years signifed, was COM
pletely astounded by the Maje1f sgcool-,
ness. She could not help betraying her.
curiosity; she looked at the Major in
| quiringlY, she dropped into reveries and
! she said to her mother, who came to the
door of the parlor moment about
some affair strictly of family nature,
that Mr.. Clinton was entirely different
from what she had imagined him to be.
But the Major did not know this, and
after the business of the evening ended
he began to feel the old familiar cold
sweat that had been his torment in the
swamps of the Chicahominey fifteen
years before Conversation had dropped
! to the dead level of the National Acad-
emy, the last new novel and Browns
i last volume of poems, all of which were.
very bad ! MissNe1l, looked interested,
pretty and sentimental until the Major
half wished she would be her natural
self, for he had at last reused himself to.
| the combatiye state, and he wanted to
/ talk with her in the most serious man
ner about her sister. At last he made
desperate effort-aaad said: QaJ
Miss Wallerson, called this eyen-
ing only on business, but / have for "a
long time wanted to say something to-
you about a matter-'
Excuse me just for a moment, Ma
jor," interrupted Miss Nell, ''the gas is
Kissing dreadfullys Won't You be good
enough to see which burner it is; I'm
too short to- reach anyeof thems I'm
sorry to say
The Major hastened to the rescue
He heard kissing noise. as of the es-
cape of too much gas he could not be.
sure which of the six burners was at
fault, so he, turned down one after an
other until the noise stopped and the
parlOr was almost dark, SID ~ fifW
'.Yeu are very kind, -mulmured Miss
Nell, as the Major resumed his seat
near her; the blowing of gas is dread
fully annoying to the ear, By the way,
you were saying that -''
The Major resisted a temptation to
say, 80, nothing of any consequence,
and said: Il have been long the. most
reverent adorer of a certain young lady
who-n ~A s 70
80, Major!'' exclaimed Miss Nell;
''the idea of you being ia love. Did
5 Excuse. me, Miss Wallerson,', said
the Major, hastily, but no one is com
petent to pass an opinion on my con-
dition of mind but myself / fully
know my own feelings, and merely wish
an opportunity to explain them in such
manner as may be most respectful -
Il beg youf. pardon, Maj6r,ji said.
Miss Nell, now entirely on her guard.
please continue, and believe no one
here can doubt your sincerity. oIia -,
a The Majors heart gave a mighty
bound; evidently this mischievolis. girl
suspected something and was willing to
suppress herself.
! Il have long been worshiping lady
whom | would have been glad to make
my .wifes' 2 tihttedt the Maidf, ,Ss'ffs T.
had not feared that my love and what
else had to offer her would not seem
compensation for what she would be
obliged-te give up.n 81
s'Your thoug youhonor,
Major" said Miss Nell, in the kindest
way in the world. 5-s 4-1~1s.~ ay.; -.
Thank you-thank you" said the
Major, hastily. Perhaps then, you
will understand why l. speak with more
than my customary freedom. MissWalf-
erson, [ was trained sin any youthful
days to such unquestioning reverence
for woman as woman that Il feel halmost
like a thief when / think of asking any
woman for her HAND and heart. y
Again, Major, / must say that your
thoughtfulness, and delicacys do you
honor Ssafd Miss Nell as demurelF as
if she hadnev teazed any one in herlife.
THANK youAthaEk 9aoif, ''5said the
Major again. 81 would like first to ex-
plain myself, if I may trouble you for
moment. / am, l believe, ansh6h6fabIe
man, have. q good business and
good bank account 1'want to devote
both, and my life beside, to the service
of the sweetest woman that ever lived.
cannot expect her to love me as love
her, for she is an angel, and / am only
we'll emily aaman' p .asaAs. .aSsa
"a true man." said Miss Nell, still
as damrrn as nareon Gsir-oc rrooI ne