The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1890-11-20

Gnore, II you QOn mlnQ the chan ting OF
the whip-poor-wil at night and the
horses stamping in their stalls, under
meath"
81 shall be delighted to obtain any
sort of haven of refuge" said the
stranger, with great fervency, ''for /
think, by the looks of the clouds, that
we are going to have storm, and
must confess that I do not relish the
idea of camping out in these woods
without so much as an umbrella to shell
ter mel"
81 suppose not" said Miss Adams,
calmly leading the way. "Gentlemen
of your profession seldom are Injured to
the hardships of an open-air life."
He looked quickly at her.
''Of my profession?' he repeated, with
something of a puzzled air.
"Ahr' said Alice, demurely; "you
think don't penetrate your disguise,
But do.'
IT am sure" said the young man,
looking somewhat discomfitted, 81 had
no idea
81 know all about you," pronounced
Alice, with an air of calm superiority.
''But you're deal younger than ex-
pected to see!'
well, who am II" laughingly de-
manded the stranger.
'You are the book. writer, '' said Alice.
'"The author who is going to write
novel about the old ruined house in
Wild Glen, where the ghost used to
walk, and the pretty girl drowned her
selfin the days of the revolution. Oh!
we've heard all about you," with an ex-
ultant little nod of the head. You
came down to old Owen Hardy's to make
inquiries last week, and an artist from
Belhampton is coming to sketch the
ruins and make the illustrations for the
book. Lulu Hardy saw you, but she
declared you were a stuffy, middle
aged old fogy. Now, should say you
were under thirty"
And she stopped short, and surveyed
him with critical air, which appear ed
to amuse him not little.
81 am six-and-twenty," said he.
Zulu Hardy never was Judge of
character, said Alice, loftily "But
Mrs. Hardy said you were quite dissi-
pated man."
ssDid she?"
''Yes," nodded Alice. ''You called for
a bottle of brandy, and drank glass of
it raw-yes, absolutely raw! And then
you smoked three cigars afterward, and
sat up writing in little portfolio
probably the very one you have under
your arm-half the night Now, must
say, you don't look like that sort of
thingr'
Don't -"
81 never saw drunkard," said Alice,
still eying her companion in the same
intent, distracted sort of way. ''But
I've always supposed they had red noses
and dim, bleared eyes, Your nose isn't
red-a little sun-burned, perhaps, across
the bridge, but not to signify-and your
eyes are as bright and clear as mine
But, if I were you"
''Well?" (Still with the same amused
look.)
81 would leave off brandy and cigars.
They must affect your nose in time, to
say nothing of your nerves. And it's
quite ridiculous for young man like
you to fall into such horrid habits as
that!"
Thank you," said the stranger. 'I1l
bear your advice in mind"
So they walked on together, Alice
catechising her companion on the ways
and customs of literary men, and sigh
ing that she, too, could not write "a
novel.
because my life here is SO unevent-
full, said she. frankly. ''I'm nothing
on earth but a country school-ma'am. !
have no outlook, no opportunities, like
other girls. If Mr.. Meredith, who owns
The Towers-you can just see the tur-
rets of the fine old stone mansion peep
ing out of those trees, across the river
were to come back from India. or China,
or Japan, or wherever else he is bury
ing himself alive, he might, perhaps,
fall in love with me. Or l might pos
sibly strike out career for myself, if
only l had chance to get beyond the
stone fences and sheep pastures of The
Glen. But" with deep sigh, tits no
use wishing. Here we are. Uncle
Jabez" to leather-complexioned old
individual who sat shelling Lima beans
on wooden bench outside the farm
house door, this is Mr.. Layard, the au-
thor"
''Sarvant, sir, sarvant!" said the old
man, looking with reverent eye upon
this embodiment of his idea of the lit
erary world.
tHe has lost his way" went on Alice.
81 suppose he cam sleep In the Larn
chamber?"
''And welcome said Uncle Jabez.
"Supper's most ready. Just sit down
and make yourself at home, sir. Go in
and help your aunt dish up the cold
pork and beans, Allie, that's a good
grill Squire Seeley,. he's in there,
waitin' for a bit of supper before be
| goes on to Meyedlth ToWegs."