The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1889-05-16
"Did she not wish TOP"

body advised that she should stay; and
:, too, could not be so selfish as to wish
her with me.n
g What God hath joined together
let no man put asunder.' Solemn words,
Clarence, solemnly spoken. They and
yow and she are wrong. Where is a
woman's place if not by her husbands
side? You said truly on that day, you
may remember, that birds of brighter
plumage and flowers of fairer hue
should be her lot; and so when the
flowers faded, and the birds shed their
radiant covering, you put her from
you, and went forth alone She is sell
fish only in her thoughtlessness. Show
her that you miss and need her, and
you will find the true woman-heart
spring into life. "
But Clarence shook his head, and
Percy felt he could say no more. But
when month later he stood in Mr..
Howard's brilliantly lighted parlors,
everywhere round him evidences of
luxurious wealth, and saw the fair
daughter of the house with her smile
as free, her laughter as joyous as
though her heart had never known a
care. he wondered if there were aught
beneath that smiling surface which
could turn from the altar of worldli-
ness at which it seemed to offer itself
living sacrifice.
If there was no one else to do it, he
would make one appeal to the wife and
the woman. A half l4dr later he rose
to find her and carry out his newborn
resolution. He had not long to seek.
Approaching him her graceful form
and beauty everywhere conspicuous,
he soon deserted her, and when he
asked few moments Of her time, she
gave them willingly. The witchery of
her loveliness conquered even his
sterner thoughts, and pity for her
youth and the counsels she had, per-
haps, unwittingly followed made his
voice low and tender as he addressed
her.
Did you know had seen Clarence
lately, Mrs. Somers?"
A flush of eagerness passed over her
face at mention of his name
II could but picture the contrast"
he continued, sbetween the happiness
on your face and the sad loneliness
written upon his"
81 am here by my husbands wish,
Mr.. Rutherford, she interrupted, sand
l could hardly be so ungrateful to the
kind friends who try to brighten my
life, as to repay them with sorrowful
looks or frowns. AS soon as Clarence
desires it l will rejoin him.
"Will you letme tell you little story,
Mrs. Somers, story of man young
and full of hope as Clarence was but
little more than year ago, on whose
| footsteps misfortune too quickly fol-
lowed and overlook him, and laid her
cruel mark upon his brow-who had
stood, even as you have stood, before
Gods altar, with one who promised to
cherish him until death, but who con-
structed that phrase, as you have done;
| and when the smiles of the world were
converted into frowns, when the sun
shine was obscured by clouds, when
his heart, sore and bruised, needed the
tender touch of woman's hand, To-.
she had fled from the darkness and
| gloom which threatened to o'ershadow
her; and he was too brave, too generous
to call her back; but little by little life
changed. Almost without his knowl-
edge, his old faith in woman S love and
constancy failed him; he grew cynical,
his frank nature reserved, until, in
desperation, he sought scenes and as
sociates from which once he would
have shrunk."
Tell me no MORE" Fay interrupted.
81 can catch the meaning of the story
you have told. o., Mr. Rutherford,
have l indeed been so cruel and so
heartless! If Clarence would but let
me, l would rather share his life than
all else on earth!''
DO you mean that?"
Indeed, indeed do! Only persuade
my father to give his consent, and
will go to him."
''Show him you are earnest in your
desire, and he will not withhold it;
and as for Clarence, he will not ask his
love shall go to him unsought; and see
if his arms are not wide open to re-
ceive YOU"
A week later, and Fay Somers stood
in the room which her husband called
home. She had not expected elegance,
but her heart shrank as she gazed
round her. It seemed strange and new
for the dainty fingers to busy them
selves in the task of bringing look of
comfort to the cherries place, to place
| fresh flowers here and there, to re-
arrange and restore order; but when it
was over, and she surveyed her work,
she felt thrill of pride and pleasure
new and keen, and sat down with a
flush OF expectation to await his COM
ing. who little knew what fairy sat by
his hearthstone. At last she heard a
key in the door below; but surely those
stems slow and half listIesS uero nat