The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1897-12-04

friends had predicted, was equally
and blusterous, though otherwise fine.
Most of the sportsmen grumbled at
the wind good deal, as sportsmen
have way of doing; but Sturtivant and
Buckley viewed the outlook with equan-
unity. In the course of breakfast the
latter, who had taken q seat next to
Louisa, said to that lady in his most
engaging tones:
"You are coming out with us this
morning, Miss Siggers?"
"Oh, Mr.. Buckley" the fair Louisa
simpered, looking extremely pleased.
81 should like to, ever so much; but
1t is so dreadfully rough and windy
that--that-"
81 shall positively hate the wind if
it keeps you from accompanying us, >"
murmured Charlie tenderly, and in a
voice too low for any one else to hear.
Louisa became very bashful and
overwhelmed at that, and turned down
her belladonna- brilliant eyes in sweet
confusion ON her plate.
Upon my word, Mr.. Buckley, you
you-oughtn'tt to say such things-you
oughtn't, indeed! He! he!''
"But will you come?' persisted
Charlie earnestly.
"f-if-you really wish it."
81 do"
"Then I will"
And the belladonna- brilliant eyes
were lifted from the plate to meet
Bickley's in one unutterable glance.
SO it came to pass that when the
sportsmen started Louisa was one of
the few ladies who braved the wind to
accompany them; and it goes without
saying that she attached herself to
Buckley, who, indeed, encouraged her
to do SO by the tender affability of his
manner. Clad in o choice sporting
costume, with short skirts and CATERS
and the neatest of shooting-boots, she
trudge along by Charles side, while
that young man divided his attention
between killing birds and doing the
tender TO. his Louisa, to say nothing
of keeping a sharp eye on Wedding
ton, the adjacent gun on his right, lest
the latter should perchance be moved
to point his barrels in their direction.
All went we'll until about half an
hour before luncheon. Then Char
lies eye happened to fall upon Louisa's
back hair, and he noticed something.
'Pardon me-" he said, with polite
consideration. "You will think it
kind of me to mention it, I'm sure.
One of your-your-haiipins is just
coming out.
SIS it? Thank you. Which? Is
it this one?" exclaimed Louisa, put
ting both her hands to her bun in a
fine fiuster.
"No; you have not quite hit the
spot. Allow me-"
And Charlie, approaching, bent for,
ward and deity negotiated the re-
fractory pin with his first finger and
thumb.
There" he said, 81 think that is
all right"
ooh, thank you so much! So good
of you," giggled Louisa.
! 'tNay! a pleasure privilege
delight" murmured audaclous
Charles.
But here brace of birds rose
straight in front, and Buckley stopped
flirting with Louisa to polish them
both off in workmanlike manner.
They had not advanced many PAGES
before Louisa was heard to utter &
sharp, shrill cry of dismay-almost O.
anguish. The cause was almost too
, obvious. Just then had come
stronger gust than usual, and in mo
ment, before she could put up her hands
to stop it, it had whisked off her ha
aye, and worse than that--her gol
den bun, both of which were beint
, whirled high and rapidly upon thu
] squally breeze.
, Now the wind was blowing from
their rear, and the consequences wa
that both hat and bun, which hat
+ separated, were carried diagonaii.
| across Weddington's line Of fire.
|, 1t was then that Sturtivant-th
t wicked and mischievous--who wa
, next gun beyond Wellington, pre-
/; pared the finishing touch to this catas
: trophe.
s'Yours, Wedl'' sang out this incor
/ risib,s humosiss, sxcitsdIy.