The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1886-05-13
Of Barker & Hawkins one day, not

Ao PiouuCcu d sup Ol paper
which she held toward him. 1t Stated
the existence of a note, covering ten
thousand dollars, principal and inter-
est, held by one Isaacs & Tobias,
brokers in neighboring city.
''When did you receive this?' He
avoided looking at the captivating face
as much as possible.
To-day; and, Mr.. Barker, it must
be paid. The ten thousand you saved
for me will just cover it. Will you do
it for mep''
Eyes, Miss Ford. 1t is fortunate,
however, that / changed the invest
ment. By the new arrangement it has
doubled. You can pay this bill and
retain the same amount"
81 can? How nice! I thought I
would have to go out as nurse-maid or
something. Mr.. Barker, when is
your client coming, who owns the
houseP l feel as if / were an intruder,
somehow"
''You are not. The favor is to him.
have his word for it.
She still fingered. ''Mr. Barker, you
have been SO kind and good / wish /
could do something for you. If can
ever, will you let me?'
''Yes, Miss Ford
Effie left the Office with a queer dis
satisfied feeling at her heart. Down
the browsing street, filled with lazy
shadows, she strolled. As she turned
corner she collided with a rakish-
looking youth. He recovered himself
with an apology. There was such a
frank look in his bright, blue eyes,
that Efie took to him at once. He ac-
companied her as far as the gate,
opened it, and, with bow, turned
toward the open plaza. "What very,
very nice, accommodating boy" was
Efie's mental comment.
She met the every nice boy fire.
| quently after this. He was eighteen,
| and quite idle. He obtained a conven-
tional ntroduction-Bert Gwynne was
his name-and he constituted himself
| Effiie's veritable double. On the street.
at church, Mr.. Bert Gwynne was al
ways present, and he assumed the atti-
tude with such an of-course-it-is-agree-
able-to-you air, that Ellie became in
| censed, and determined to give him a
piece of her mind.
One day he commenced to poke fun
at "old Gabe Barker" Then the
dynamite exploded.
| He's not DID," she flashed
sForty if he's an hour" insisted the
provoking
81 say he is not, declared the frank
little lady. '.Any how he's not pre-
suming boy;" great acrimony in the last
words.
"He' Ii make you marry him after a
while; now you see. He bought up ev-
cry one of those notes, cried the badly
conducted.
| "What notesP Tell me!'' Effie was
afame.
s.Your fathers. Who do you sup
| pose paid the debts? Why, Gabe Bark
er. out of his own pocket. This very
| house is HIS" continued he.
s'You are wicked person, and | dom
| believe one word you say" burst out
Efie.
| s.It isn't such a mighty thing after
all. I'd do ever SO much more, Effie,
if you'd let me. But you called me
presuming, and it made me angry
$50 you are. l hate you, and Tn
going this minute to Mr.. Barker" She
| flung on her hat.
81 wouldn't. Let it alone. He's
well able to do it if he wishes" Bert
thought he had never seen Efiie so de-
sirable, as with that angry pout and
the infinite air of scorn with which she
regarded him.
'sMr. Barker, is it so? Tell me. j
will know with tear-1ushed face she
raided in on him. ssThey say that papa
ed-insolvent, and-and you bought
up his no-otes, and-tell men she i'm
plored passionately.
| ''Effie, don't! you viii be i'll. Who
told you such cruel things?" He shut
fled his papers in agitation.
..Bert Gwynne. Hesays it is the talk
of the place, and
Heavens! What has she almost said:
| Hell make you marry him after a
while." He marry her! such an insig-
nificant nobody.
'Effie, listen; am not going to deny
what have done. !"
Then you did! oh!'' She went
down by the stiff old clients chair in
heap, and hid her face in her hands.
s'Child, what could / doe The cred
itors threatened. There was nothing
to pay them, and you looked SO little
| aud helpless. Besides, it is only dis
charging an old obligation. Your
father was very kind to me when l was
a poor lad. Effie, don't be angry.
(Sob, sob from the rounds of the
chair).
s'Is the house yours too?''
s.By heavens, Effie, if you ask me any
thing more I'll deny every thing" des-
perately.
rs it. / I.sayan tempestuously.
Eyes
Gabrielle Barker was as abashed as il
he had been confronted with selling il.
legal whisky.
s.Do you hold those notesP"
(ssConfound dthatmeddlesomeG Gwynne
boy; I'll thrash him to. morrow, if ]
live). Yes, Effie, but they are yours.
/ have left them to you in my will.
Here they are, laying bundle in he1
lap.
Take them away. I win not have
them, she said excitedly. ..Unless
Mr.. Barker you tell me how II can
pay--yOu. s+ IS sss.stss