The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1895-08-01


the servants were there-and-oh, it
would be awful
l put my hands in my pockets and
Flo.
what should we have to do?" l
asked, with curiosity.
make a loathsome pretense of-of
stiU caring for one another, l suppose"
said Flo, with a groan of prospective
horror.
But what should we have to do?" I
persisted. ] wanted details. "Should
We have to talk?"
yes" snapped Flo.
"Should l." ] pursued, taking q
step towards Flo, "have to kiss your
"Oh, SUPPOSE wonder why you
don't go!'
"And would you have to kiss me?"
To this question l received no an
swer at all. But I was bound to ex-
tract one; could not leave the matter
unsettled. So rang the bell.
What are you ringing for?" said Flo,
facing round suddenly.
For the footman," said I, nodding
my head.
Il should have thought you could
find your way out" and she right
about-faced again.
Then William opened the door.
did you ring, sir?" he asked, OBJ
serving, suppose, that Flo did not ap-
pear to want anything.
Yes, William, rang. want"
Its mistake, William" came sud-
denly from the window.
mo, it isn't" said I. ~ must ask
William"
Nonsense, Dick! It's only Mr., Van
sittart's Joke, William"
"Well, them" said I, "can we do 1t
without William? If SO, he can 60"
There was the slightest of pauses-
Then Flo said:
Eyes, you may go, William"
William, looking somewhat puzzled,
withdrew; and then Flo, much flushed,
turned round once for all.
II can't think" said she, ''how you
can be SO foolish. don't know what
you'd have done in another minute"
II should" l answered, "have kept
up appearances"
Flo's lips twitched a little. saw 1t
in a moment.
1T is perfectly useless for me-" OBJ
served, plaintively, "to try to escape
from you. Your resentment is not to
be relied upon for quarter Of an hour.
am nearly heart-broken about Phil
ippa March,"
"Well, I'm most sore about Capt.
Worsley."
But" said I, I'm going to be man.
I'm going to forget Philippa and keep
my word to you. Will you put the cap
tain out of your hearth"
'rll try" said Cousin Flo.
Because you know if, after we are
married, you speak Of him with re-
greet"
''Or If you seem to wish Philippa
had"
"All those terrible things will hap
PEN"
Eyes, l know, Dick. Are we really
wise TOTO risk it2"
knitted my brows. 1t was really q
serious question. studied Flo's
features.
I'm puzz led" I answered. You're
very charming, Flo, but"
81 don't trust you, Dick"
There was a long sad pause. Flo
held out her hand with gesture of
farewell. Hooked in her eyes. took
| the hand.
ut is really best" said Flo, gently.
II suppose it u.s." said l, rather for
lornly, squeezing her hand.
Marriage Is such an irrevocable
STEP" Flo reminded ME.
We'll, anyhow, it's very trouble
some to"
And IT," interrupted Flo, when it
was too late, when we awoke to the
fact-No! G-good-by, Dickv'
'Good-by, Flo" said much moved.
Thus we parted. took my hat, and,
without backward glance, started
for the door.
At this moment, curiously enough,
the door opened. William came in.
please, MISS" said he, "tea's ready
in the drawing-room."
THANK you. William" said Flo, in a
very low voice.
William withdrew. l stood medita-
lively in the middle of the room. Then
put my hat down.
Hang it," said I, resting my eyes on
Flos face, I'VE shall always have the
| servants!''
1.-The servants?" murmured Flo, In
question.
"Why, yes" said I, and l began tc
smile. And, if the worst comes to the
worst, we must" paused and took
Flo's hand again.
"We must what, Dick?" she asked.
1--WE must" answered, rub along
on keeping up appearances"
We were disgracefully late for tea
Idler.
He who always prefaces his tale
NTH 10 v,nieo1 hafyuaon i'm