The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1897-06-03
BENTON, LOUISIANA, THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 1897.

| the threshold of his fathers house. and
found me waiting beside that father to
give him welcome, Sidney Gresham
| hated me. / cannot tell what demon
Of Jealousy and distrust whispered in
his heart, but read in his chilly greet
| IEg that l was an unwelcome third,
though | had come only upon my un-
cls's urgent request, and took my de-
rarture early.
From that time l marked change
IN my reception at the house, where
had been assured of most cordial vel
come, and my visits soon became those
exacted by my gratitude only. 1t hurt
me cruelty TO see that my uncle's affec-
| ton was being won from me, but there
was far more bitter cup soon to be
placed at my reluctant lips.
Sidney came to DR.. Farnell's as a
| guest sure of a welcome, to renew n
friendship only interrupted since boy
| hood by his travels. And the first time
| saw him with Leonie knew why m,
love had failed to meet its return. a
childish friendship had grown by that
long separation into life love. The
eyes that had ever met mine with the
frankness of friendship dropped shyIy
beneath Sidney's gaze, while the cheek
that had never changed color for me,
flushed at his coming, even before he
spoke.
Net l would not quite despair until
meeting them together, on hazy June
evening, walking slowly, as lovers walk.
| heard soft, signing voice whisper:
Il have always loved you, Sidney!"
In their happiness they never guessed
my presence, and shrank back behind
a friendly tree till they passed me by,
and were lost to my sight.
Then l threw myself into my profess
sional duties, trying SO to feed my starv-
ing heart, studying diligently, and Civ
ing every case in my care ardent inter
est. DR.. Farnell guessed all my misery,
and, when | came more and more sell
dom to his cottage, he crossed the road
frequently to visit ME. Once only he
spoke. II am sorry Leone loves Sgd
ney," he said, after telling me of their
engagement, "for he is man I never
liked nor trusted. But a woman's heart
| is wayward and must follow it's own
will. There is no reason-not one-to
set against her love, so must bear my
disappointment as best l may"
And knew my kind old friend meant
that he had hoped my love would win
Leonie's heart.
While August was burning up the
vegetation with long drought, we had
several cases of malignant fever in the
village, and one morning was shocked
at receiving a note from my uncle, say
ing Sidney had the symptoms.
| hurried to the house, and my uncle
led me directly to the sick room. But as
| approached the bed Sidney cried:
What brings you here? Where is DR..
Farnell?"
CDR. Farnell does not practice" re-
piled.
"IIe will come to me! He must! l
will not trust my life in the hands OF
my heir and my rival in love-"
l started back as if he had struck me
blow. Before heaven, I could swear
! that my possible heirship had never
crossed my mind, and | had never
thought to try to win Leonic, once I
knew her love was given elsewhere.
could not speak, but l sent DR.. Farnell
to my cousin.
In one short week the village church
bell toled for Peter Gresham's son.
Two hours before the time set for the
funeral l went to my uncle, and
though he had clung to me in those bit
ter days of mourning, I asked for the
first time to see my cousin.
I have often questioned the fatality
that led me to make that request, but
can only write here what have often
told my own heart. / had to see hiGa.
Already he was in his costly coffin
with flowers about the bed upon which
it rested. | entered the room alone and
stood intently looking down upon the
still, cold face of my rival.
Dead! His words came back to ME as
l looked at him. was my uncle's heir
I might yet hope in the future to win
Leonie.
Suddenly the blood rushed to my
heart. almost suffocating me; my hands
grew cold, my legs shook under me. My
eyes, fixed upon Sidney Greshams fa1c
grew dim, and should have fallen had
| not grasped the bed for support.
For, with my professional instincts
ever on the alert, saw that my cousin
was not dead. 1t was a case of suspend
cd animation, calling for instant care
In little time-probably before the Lie
was fastened over the cold form, j,
would be too late to save the faint spark
cf life. I had only to hold back ny
hand, only to ignore the one faint sign
before me, and Gresham Place, my un
cte's wealth-possible Leonie's love
would all be mine, while no one living
would ever guess was murderer.
One moment the memory of the dy,
;Eg mans hatred and suspicion tugged
at my heart; one moment a fierce
temptation seemed tearing me in two
ard then, Heaven be thanked, l was
myself again.
Gently l lifted my cousin from his
CHASTITY resting place, and replaced his
shroud by his night dress. would not