The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1898-03-17
BENTON. LOUISIANA THURSDAY, H.

paper and half inclined to tender nv
resignation before sundown, a lady was
| admitted. l was not over Is Sec
onds in making up my mind that she
was the handsomest woman had ever
saw. She was about 90 years of
age. natural blonde, and her ewes
were melting and her cheeks like
peaches. will honestly admit that |
was gone" on her even before she
handed me the card which gave her
name as Jeanne Lancaster. She was
from Chicago, and had called to inquire
about Charles Day. She had scarcely
mentioned his name when she began
to weep. If you have ever been an old
bachelor, you will understand how
quick the heart of such man melts
under the tears OF good-iooking
young woman. l began to speak
soothing words. of course. and present
ly she grew confidential and made a
confession. She was an heiress, while
Day was but poor young man. They
met-they loved-they became engaged.
She would have welded him in his pow
erty, but he wouldn't have it that way.
He went out to make his fortune before
claiming her, and the first good thing
he struck was the state treasury.
Miss Lancaster had read all about it.,
and had been almost broken hearted.
While she had put Day out of her
heart as being unworthy of her, she yet
felt like having a few last farewell
words with him.
Ry the time the pretty little woman
was through talking and smiling and
crying, was ready to put brotherly
arm around her and speak words of
consolation. Indeed. when discovered
that her engagement was 'otf," came
very near offering her my heart and
hand as a substitute. Nothing re-
strained me but the fear that l had
not known her long enough to inspire
the proper trust and confidence which
a good girl should have. at once
granted her the privilege of private
interview with Day. That is. she was
which was left open, and converse with
him while guard waited within call.
The interview lasted half an hour, and
there was much weeping and promis-
ing and protesting. The young man
didn't want to be thrown down just be-
cause he had stolen $320.OOO ard been
sentenced to 20 years in prison. The
girl was obdurate, however, though it
broke her heart over again to tell him
that he need no longer hope. When she
came out, her handkerchief to her eyes
and sob in her throat. she sat down
in the Office to collect herself and then
said:
II want Charles to restore that
money, and have been pleading with
him to do so. If can have only one
or two more interviews with him l
think ! can accomplish my object"
jumped a foot high and told her
she could interview him every day for
a month. He knew where the money
was, of course, and If it was restored
through any effort of mine the taxpay-
ers of the state would carry me around
on their shoulders as reward. Not
only that, but the oftener Miss Lancas-
ter came. the oftener / should see her.
and the deeper should be in love. She
came next day at the same hour, held
another fearful interview, and after
it was over she said to me:
"Charles has almost made up his
mind to confess, but still hesitates. He
has sister of whom he is very fond,
and if you don't mind l will bring her
in to help me plead with him."
I didn't mind, Of course. If he had
had four or five favorite sisters l
should have been glad to have them
all in to coax the secret out of the
rascal. Day appeared to be very much
broken down, and after Miss Lancaster
had left the prison he sent for me to ask
if the governor would pardon him on
his giving up the money. had to reply
that 1t might be four or five years be-
fore he could look for his liberty. but
it would surely come before he had
served out more than third of his SEN
tence. He seemed quite elated over this,
and when I pressed him to tell me
whore the Doodle was hidden he opened
his mouth as if to do so. On second
thought he shook his head and repled
IF l tell anybody it will be Miss Lam
caster and my sister. had deter
mined to die first, but am beginning
to see things little differently"
| l left him with the impression that
the two girls would soon have the Sc
cret. When Miss Lancaster appeared
next day Miss Day was with her. Miss
Day was very coy and retiring. She
neither shook haeds with me nor re-
piled to my salutation. and turned her
back as soon as possible. At the same
time, as remembered later, Miss Lam
caster not only dallied with my hand,
| but pressed it and was very efiusive in
| her speech. She said she would have
something special to tell me when she
| returned from the interview, and she
looked at me SO archly that l jumped
at the conclusion she was going to
confess a first sight love for me.
The interview did not last over Is
minutes, and it took place just as dusk
was drawing on. When the two ladies
returned to the door Miss Lancaster
l