The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1896-11-05


threshold, sis it possible that you
! haven't started yet? And you know
how particular Bulge and Bodley ore
as to your getting to the store at nine
O'Clock precisely"
Mr.. Piercy turned pink all over.
YES, my dear-yes. said he, I'm
quite sure to be in tin,e!"
And off lo started on gentle trot.
When he was gone Plume took OF
her bonnet and veil, removed her
mantle and glovcs, snd went into the
kitchen.
"Cannot / do something to help
you, Sister Ma.ilda?" said she, plead
ingiy.
Mrs. Abel Percy looked with cold
blue eyes and lips prlmly compressed,
at the fair face, which was younger
and fresher than ever without the jet
| black circlet OF the bonnet, aid the
| slight, graceful figure before her.
| "No, I thank you," said she. 81
am not used to having fine ladies il
my Kitchen"
"Bat if you will lend me an
apron"
"No, I thank you, Mrs. Oswald
Percy" repeated the housewife.
"You will find the newspaper in the
hall. Perhaps the advertising col
umns may interest you"
"We are SISTERS" said the young
widow, with qulyerlrg lip. "WiIl
you not call me Piume?"
cob, no; we're no relations at all,
! in real,ty!" said Mrs. Abel Percy,
weighing out ounces of sugar and
pounds OF -four with an unerrin3
hand. "Aud really your name is such
g very peculiar one. Jane. OR Martha,
or Eliza, would have been more to ny
taste. Perhaps, however" with a
| keen, sidelong glance, "you have been
| on the stags?"
"No," said Plume "I was teacher
when Oswald married me. But what
did you mean about the advertising
columns Of the pGpers?"
Situations, YOU KNOW" said Mrs.
Plercy, resching over to the raisin
boz. Bridget, you have been at
the raisips, as true as live! There's
half Of EN- gone since T was here
las5!'
"No, mum. I iayen't!' sharply re-
spon6ed Bridget, who was used to
these kitchen skirnaisnos. "Sure I
never lived i'll house before where
they counted the raisins and the Jumps
of coal. and if I don't suit, mum, it s
. months warning +rola to-day, If yc' $
Place"
"5ituations!" repeated Plane, halls
afraid OF Bridgets wariikc demeanor,
or half puzzled at her sister-!n-iaw S
words.
! EYES," said Mrs. Abel. tartly, pay
ing 10 attention to Bridget and her
sklllet-''in glove factory you know.
or IN fancy store, o. even rs nursery
governness or attendant to some eld-
erly invalid. For OF course you know, ):
with another OF those ohliaue looks
that made poor Plume feel so uncom-
Portable, ''you expect to work fer
your living. We are not rich enough
to support all our relations. Ahel's
salary was reduced last year, and no
one knows how strictly hare TO econ
omize in order to make ends meet.
And strong young woman like You
ought to be ashamed to sit down
on sick]y man with a family. like my
husband-"
"Stop-oh, stop"' said Plume, lift
ing up her hand, as II to ward off sone
invisible terror. :'de said was wei
come. He told me-"
"Ihat's just like Abel" said Mrs.
Piercy, scornfully. "ae'd take in all
creation il he could. He never stops
to think whether he can afford it or
not"
'I an sorry that intrudc.' said
Plume, with dignity. "It shall not
be for long. will look at the news
paper at once.
eyes, that's deal the best plan, -
assented Mrs. Percy, ungrsciously.
"Of course you won't mention oar
little chat to Abel. lie might be
vexed; and, after all, I'm only speak
ing for your good.
Plume looked at her with an ex-
preston Of face which somehow made
Mrs. Abel Piercy feel as if she were
shrinking up like q wlthered walnut in
Its shell.
"Yes, I know" said tho young
widow. "But you need not be afraid /;
] am no tale bearer, to make mischief
! in any one's family"
Mrs. Piercy felt very uncomfortable
after this little conversation was
ended.
GLOW she did look at le !" thought
she. "But 7 only spoke the truth,
after sill. We can't be burdened with
her support, let Abel talk as he pleases.
And no matter what she says, believe
she has been an actress. No one but
an actress could ever put on such roya!
ways as that
Half an hour asterward, when the
bell rang, and some one inquired for
Mrs. Oswald Piercy, Mrs. Abel nodded
her head to the cake she was taking
out of the oven.
"Company already" said she; 'fand
gentlemen company, rs l live! Well,
L