The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1890-12-11

ure for fear OF discouraging opposition.
The mother conjectured that events
were IN the air from the cyclonic en-.
trance of Jean, ordinarily as dignified
as boYish face and exuberance of life
would permit. 8FeTs - ~
Mother, mother, here I ami"
Have you gone through the fiery
furnace without a singer"
Mrs. Elford's amazenentH increased
as Jean described the whole scene,
She indulged in laugh, which atoned
Tor many things, when, after asserting
that Mr.. Barrows was good looking and
distinguished if he dfa wear glasses
and had a stern mouth, in tone of
comical resignation Jean sighed out:
''But 1 suppose he is married, as are
most of the nice men one meets"
"Remember daughter. that these
particularly nice married. men have, in
the majority of cases, been made SO by
the companionship of good wives. You
Will have to turn some ugly duckling
into swan some day."
'Never! Momsey; I'd rather be a
spinster all my days than take some
callow youth tQuraise, was the ener-
getic response.
So Jean sent the editor a samplescopy
of her ''wares," which he deemed
worthy of publication. Some corre-
sspondence, ostensibly on business, en-
sued and along toward Christmas time
he secured her work on another paper,
which proved good practice if not very
remunerative.
One snowy nigh t mother and daughter
were settled in their CHEEKY little par
lor for quiet evening of pen-scratching
and reading The door-bell announced a
caller. Jean, on opening the fat door,
saw man covered with snow, carrying
bundle of books. Following out her
first thought that it must be belated
book-agent, she was about to refuse him
admittance when more comprehensive
glance revealed Mr.. Barrews, who
somewhat nervously said: "Good even
ings Miss Elford; I have brought you
some books which need reviewing, How
are you at that kind of worl1?"
Overcoming her surprise, she asked
him in, said something about his kind
ness in coming such bad night, and,
before they quite realized it, he was
presented to. her mother and drying of
before the open fire. Arrangements
were made about the book reviewing,
followed by few moments of general
conversation, after which he took leave
as suddenly as he had appeared. re-
marking that he was on his way to
bachelor dinner given monthly by a
dozen friends of that order of misan-
thropists.
Your new friend seems to partake
somewhatof the nature of whirlwind,
Jean" said Mrs. Elford after the door
closed upon the departing surprise.
''Yes, mother; but what is more
astonishing verify believe he is an
old bachelor after what he said about
the dinner. It is fortunate I did not
know that when L went to. see him, for
the, halo of supposititious wife and
family around him softened my horror
of asking favor of a strange man"
Between the time of the first call and
the summer Mr. Barrows found consid-
cradle business attracting him to
certain quiet uptown fat Occasionally
the ladies found themselves at the
theater or opera, followed by dainty
supper with the Acquaintance whose
entrance into their lives had been as
abrupt in every particular as the con-
spicuous Characteristic of man.
During the winter Mr.. Barrows talked
OF going abroad in June. Whenever
the subject was mentioned Jean ex-
perienced an unaccoUntable emotion of
regret, for. notwithstand-
ing the disparity in years, they seemed
to be wonderfully congenial.
One fine May day our young s'literary
LADY," as her mother dubbed her, was
standing rapturously gazing into the
of 4 florist on Broadway where
''Jacque" roses and vioGets we're piled in
of fragrant beauty. A voice
over her shoulder asked: (Which will
you takeq'a She turned and saw Ed
ward Barrows looking down at her
through glasses which failed to hide the
glow of admiral tien in his keen, grav
eyes of something-she supposed the.
lowers, as she knew his passion for
bO1ugJ opObos
He. insisted upon getting her hand
sul of roses, and then walked on down
,he street enjoying the blue sky, salt
oreeze, and the bright faces of the 1nul-
,itude en- promenade in their new spring
clothes.
Jean asked her companion how soon |
le expected to sail
He replied: II am not sure enough
ret to engage my passage"
Then in his abridged fashion, sug-
FESTIVE of the blue pencil, he almost
erked out: Miss Jean, l. wish to en-
arge my staff"
DO you?" she innocently asked, |
perhaps place would be made
or her.
YES" he replied, ''You came to me
astfall for position, but had nothing
0 give you. Since then l have begun
lew column called Love and Matri-
nonial Affairs Will you edit this new
enture?"
He enjoyed her puzzled look for
1oment then continued in a low. earn
st tone: This is no place to tell YOU.
can, that when you struck out from
he shoulder that day in nv Office Won