The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1897-11-20
WEASER TAN.
BY MARGARET JOHANN.


her and laid his tawny head against
her. She spoke gently to him, fond
ling his silky ears.
''He seems to be an acquaintance of
yours" said Ralph, by way of being
sociable.
''Sh'd think he ought to be, "giggled
Grace. "Shes always saving bones
and things for him.
"That's very kind, I'm sure," said
the young fellow, turning toward the
game which Grace was inspecting
'"That blue-iay was an accident
didn't mean to shoot him"
"You might give me his wings for
my hat" said Grace, saucily.
ellis wings? with pleasure, and,
taking out his knife, he cut them Off
"One for Grace and one for-'Wea-
ser TAM" he said, giving one to each
and laughing at the recollection of the
old childish name
He went whistling out of the CRATE;
and Grace, with each hand grasping
a picket of the rickety fence, watched
him out of hearing. He drew long
breath as she turned away.
."Gracious, amt he handsome!" she
said, ''and, Wease, you like him awful
good"
For answer Wease splashed her well
with water. Then Grace went crying
into the house, and Wease, in the
covert Of the high pump. softly stroked
the jays wing and watched the giver
out of sight.
Groom in our town for another
physician" wrote distant relatives,
and there Ralph Burrows went fresh
from an extended course of study and
travel abroad. He opened his Office in
the heart of the town; his home was
with his relatives ON hills that over
looked it. Business came to him lag
gingly, but love came on smooth, swift
wings.
Marguerite, heir of beauty, wealth
aud goodness, sat .on the veranda,
fieldglass in hand. A dozen times a
day she focused it upon Ralph's Office
in the town below. A few moments
since she saw him lock his door and
set out upon the homeward road. Now
he was hidden from view, but she
knew just what landmark he had
reached (she had timed him so oftenl.
To speed the minutes she took up a
magazine and scanned an article that
essayed to settle for all times and for
all people the question: 'Is life worth
living?" When he came she met him
at the foot of the terraces, and with
his arm around her he led her back to
the veranda.
whats in it?" he asked, tossing
the magazine aside to make room for
them both upon the willow settle.
''Oh, Ralph" she cried, archly, sis
life worth living?"
He took her face between his hands
and looked unutterable love into eyes
that paid him back his own.
'Is life worth living? And with
Marguerite? A thousand, thousand
times, sweetheart, and forever and
everl" He kissed her rapturously.
"For shame" she whispered, look
ing rosily foolish and happy, "there's
Louise; she must have heard and seer
the whole performance. And, by the
way, Ralph, when you write YOU
mother, thank her again for solving
for us the servant problem in SO far as
waitress is concerned. This Louise
Rutan has been with us two months
now, and we find her all we could de
sire: only with little deprecativt
shrug) her face is so stolidly sorrow
full. I'm SO happy myself, Ralph, tina
when anyone else is sad l feel sor
of remorse-almost as if were re
sponsible.
"Well, poor girl" he said, "I'v'
known her ever since she was-thre'
feet high, / suppose, and she's hat
pretty hard lines. She'll brighten
never fear, in the atmosphere OF thu
home"
Louise" said Marguerite next day
ST believe I'll let you drive me int
town; you're accustomed to a horse
aren't your"
mot very; but I'm not afraid, wa
the reply; so they went.
Marguerite had made her purchases
had achieved a merry consultation wit
Ralph in front of his office, and the
were upon homeward, uphill roa
that lay along the bed Of a little stream
The queer, reticent girl by her sid
was a study for Marguerite. Through
out the drive she had tried to max
her talk; but, baffled, she lad by no.
lapsed into silence akin to pique.
new thought came to her.
| Louise, she asked, sis life wort
living?"
"For you it mus. be. Miss Ma
| guerite. !"
1t was lengthy sentence for th
girl to utter, but her eyes locke
staight ahead and her hands holdin
the slack rein lay limp in her lap.
| "And why not for you, Louise?"
i The girl hesitated, and Marguerite
always prone to moralizing, improve
thu opportunity,