The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1895-08-22
81 shall build one," he declared.

contents OF the leCteTS were CH1enY
relative to hogs, and pasturage, and
baled hay, and discounts. Ira did not
actually dread Andulasia's return, but
he would have preferred to postpone it
indefinitely. To be sure, they had con-
sidered the possibility of an engage
ment once, but he had never been
| really engaged to her He never could
| be now. 1t was only right she should
| understand that. She was sensible
woman. She would understand that in
such matter a man had a right to
please himself.
As for Alys, was there ever such an
eye, such hand, such a voice, such
| foot, such smile. To be sure he had
| once met Alys walking home from
! church with the lumberman. But
| then the lumoerman was only young
and good looking. 1t was we'll known
he was conducting the yard for an
English firm on a salary. To compare
Vail to him-Harris-who was SO well
! fixed!" There could be no comparison.
| One evening in late summer, when
Ira was jogging into town, he settled
mentally all minor matters to his sat
| isfaction. He decided to whom he
would rent his farm, the kind of house
| he would build in town, the direction
his wedding journey would take, the
brotherly letter he would leave for
Andulasia, and the invitation he would
] send the lumberman to be present at
! his wedding.
Poor devil!'' he concluded, commits
sratingly, ''it will be tough, but he
will have to stand it."
He dismounted at the post Office,
which was also the general store and
tin shop. There was a letter for him
"a letter from Andulasia.
DEAR IRA: Things is all upset Uncle John
died week ago They can't find no will and
I'm tired waiting for dead mems stockings
Meet me night after tomorrow Your
| "ANDULAsIA STEBBINs."
Harris smiled curiously as he stuffed
the letter in his pocket. He was think
| ing of the Omaha girl. The next night
Andulasia arrived. She was fatter
than ever. Her Eton suit was crum-
pied. She wore a shirt waist. 1t was
voluminous and not immaculate.
We'll, it's you, Ira. I'm clean beat.
Put them things in the buggy while l
get some sody and yeast uptown"
"Up-town" Miss Stebbins learned
several things, chief of which was that
Ira Harris had transferred his affec-
tions to Miss Alys Lane.
Half way home Andulasia said quiet
ly:
Il hear you reckon to marry Miss
Lane"
Her composure, the loss of her ex.
pected fortune, the witchery of Alys,
all gave Harris courage.
II was figgerin' some on it." he
, avowed.
He drove Andulasia to her home, but
, she did not again broach the subject.
He went back to town that evening
He met ,Alys at an ice-cream secia BILE.
He gained grace of heart and pro
: posed.
She laughed gently.
II am honored, Mr.. Harris, o1
course" she said. But 1 always sup
, posed you were engaged to Miss Steb
bins l am to marry Mr.. Vail at Christ
mas"
The following evening, Ira, feeling
exceedingly depressed, went to call or
Andulasia. He found her talking with
a brother farmer, widower with
= three children. He asked to speak t.
her moment alone.
Fact is, Andulasia," he said, att
! you I want. I fancied for awhile II
like that silly little thing. l must hav'
p been kind of hypternized. I'm sur
v now it's you l want"
Andulasia smiled-a peculiar smile
y I've just promised to marry Mr.
> Muggs. He asked me last night be
;, fore he found out what you know"
What l know? Andulasia!
n Eyes. The news that come in on th
noon train, about the will being found
, and me getting seven thousand dollars
q and"
. "Andulasia!"
= What a fine woman she was. VIII
a had he never noticed that fact before
Its true!'' she declared triun
4 phantly.
- But" he fairly howled, "rve beel
4 meaning for fifteen years to marry yor
G Andulasia!'
'"Then, why didn't you?" inquire
q Andulasia.
" He remembered some lines he ha
n once read. 1t would be quite safe t
a repeat them as original, for Andulasi
+ never read anything.
, II feared my fate too much" he pro
a tested, striking his breast dramatic
Is ally, ''and my deserts was too small!
% He did not impress Andulasia. Sh
turned scornfully away to where Nj
, Muggs waited.
- "Go back" she counseled, "to tha
" yeller-haired girl at the depot"
He did go back, but not to the depo
10 "Eh?" said the saloonkeeper. "W
"A don't often see you, Mr.. Harris"
mo. But, 1 feel tonight as if I
- got chill. I'll take some straight
l-Chicago Tribune