The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1897-04-10
HIS LAST RESOURCE.

Richard Hotaling was in the depths
OF perplexity as to his status IN the
affections of O certain, or, more
properly speaking, a very uncertain
young woman whom he much adoreo.
He had been so deeply in love Ior
more than year, that he had eyes,
cars and thoughts for none other than
pretty, fascinating Miss Damer. Yet
SO skilfully had he been managed
whether consciously to herself or not
hc little knew that no word OF his
could have been construed to give
evidence of more than friendly
feeling.
There we're others in his predlca-
ment, and misery always loves COM
pany. At the same time he felt there
must be ON end to all things, and had
resolved to bring matters to state OF
certainty without further delay, know
ing full we'll that he had made SIM
liar decision score of times before.
She had q way OF turning the CONVEX
at most interesting stages
without giving offence and with
show of tact worthy weightier cause.
He could recall any number OF times
when he was on the eve OF making a
full avowal, and thought her particu-
larly sympathetic, when turn OF hef
head or d glance of her clear gray
eyes wonld throw him back into the
old state OF detection, and he would
leave with the words unsaid. Again,
interruptions had come when he was
at the point of growing serious, ana
there had been much in the way o.
his declaring his love.
He felt she must have read 1t In III:
eyes, in his every act, yet there wef'
several other fellows who wore theil
hearts on their sleeves in much more
amazing manner than did he, ana wh'
wero treated with the same calm In
partially.
There was Hilton, member OF every
Climb in town, aud possessor OF sue
nm income as is never an objection
affairs of the heart. There was les
sler, the captain OF his college Eleven
adored by all the girls, adoring Mis-
Damcr only. There were Mailarc
Hollister and Smith, all rafting goo
follows, TO say nothing OF one Booi
leigh. a sort Of literary man with ior
hair. ready made ties and origin
poems No man feared him, as
rival. however, for he made his 10
AZ common as postage stamps by tai
ing of her to everyone he Rhe
Narrower. he was the kind OF feiio
10 make hit with old ladies at afte
noon teas, and the men not only co
sidered him more different kinds oil
ass than any one of their acquaii
auces. but actually guyed him to
face. Among themselves they lestlne
accused him OF imperfect eereoratio
But in spite of these facts, ana VI
he enjoyed fair share OF MISS l
mer's favor, they liked him because
was kindly-natured and altogetl
harmless.
As Hotaling chewed the end OF
pen he meditated upon these thin
particularly Hilton's ten Thousand
wear. and wondered il the latter C
sideration would weigh with Miss
mer. He believed it would not,
wrote her note accordingly.
asked for an engagement during
week, adding that he had under
alteration an offer to go abroad as
eign correspondent for New
naper. and that in case of accep'
he would sail the next Saturday.
would leave it for her TO de
whether he should go or stay. 1t
his last resource, and he felt tina
would bring things to Crisis. II
refused him, lie could so away
forget. If she--but the other P
bility plunged him iuto-snch a del
OF delightful dreams that he destr
the missive and resolved be wonl'
her that evening and set his min
rest.
There is popular fallacy that
ity is the prerogatiye OF woman
cusively. Many hold that The
OF man is above such petty consi
tons as dress and personal aaornl
Go to-: Vanity hath no imitatis