The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1899-09-02
BY JAMES II. SULLIVAN.

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was all smiles and thanked him pro-
fusely. She made room for him to sit
near her, and Heagel was annoyed.
She read the letter and talked to
Semmes at the same time, and when
Joe saw by glance that the letter
was written in masculine hand, COM
prising dozen or so sheets, he was
burning. Excusing himself lie went
out on the piazza to smoke and reflect
Gust rs / always maintained" he
unused. ''Here she is getting letters
from sweetheart in the city and fiirt-
ing with us. They are all alike, one
bunch OF conceit. I'm through, though,
you can bet on that. She may fool
Semmes, but not your uncle. Semmes
can have the field to himself after
this"
His thoughts were suddenly checked
by light touch on the shoulder, and
as he looked up Miss Kingore inquired,
care you going to dance this evening,
Mr.. Heagel?"
eyes, er, mean no. You see I'm
smoking, and I'd rather not go in
doors, as it is too hot to Dance" he
answered.
By the time he finished speaking he
was on his feet, and looking at Miss
Kingore noticed she had far away
look in her eyes, and she seemed as if
she was about to cry. He didn't know
what to say, but seeing that she had
no wrap over her shoulders suggested
that she woull catch cold remaining
outdoors. She made no reply and APP
.parently had not heard him.
They stood there about three min
utes. when the orchestra began play
ing q galop, and the music seeming to
have awakened her she looked up at
Heagel and said: ''You are not
smoking now"
He saw his cigar had gone ont, and
there was nothing else for him but to
accompany her inside. They danced
together few times before the social
ended, but it was merely mechanical
on his part.
Once i'll the solitude OF his room
Joe made resolution to drop out OF
the race. The following day he kept
his resolve braveIy by taking tramp
through the woods, eating his dinner
at farmhouse. But it was q great
effort on his part, aud he had many
heartaches as he pictured Miss Kin
gore and Semme5 having q good time
together.
He was purposely late for supper
and had his meal alone, after which he
went to his room determined that no
power would drag him from it. His
absence was soon discovered, however,
and committee waited upon him and
overruled his protests, taking him
bodily to the reception hall.
Miss Kingore seemed to look more
charming than ever, and certainly she
was very gracious in her efforts to
please joe He found himself grad
ually thawing out, and it was long
time after the dancing ceased that he
said ''good night to her.
When he went to his room he was
feeling jubilant All his views on the
bachelor question had undergone a
sudden change.
The rest of the week the guests at
the hotel were treated to some anus
ing scenes as Heagel and Semmes
tried to outgeneral each other in get
ting Miss Kingore to go with either of
them. Heagel took the remarks about
his change of attitude on matrimony
in good part. Miss Kiugore was i'm
partial in accepting invitations, but
mama was invariably with her. That
prevented any sudden declaration of
love on the part of either.
When mama was absent the two
rivals were with her, and the glances
they exchanged at times were not
those savoring of love and friendship
Matters went along this way until
there were only four days left OF Hea-
gels vacation. Semmes' time was not
limited, and Miss Kingore had no
idea when she was going home.
Joe had become desperate and re-
solved to propose on the first opportu-
nifty, while Semmes decided to keep
an eye on Heagel and prevent such
thing occurring in the short time Hea-
gel had to stay, hoping that he would
find ample time to win Miss Kingore
with Joe disposed of.
One of Joe's friends decided that
fitting novelty on the eve of Joe's de-
parture would be to have some anna
teur theatricals. Everyone agreed it
was just the thing, and Joe was chosen
to write sketch for the occasion.
Here was his chance of lifetime, he
thought. He would write a great,
heroic part and play it himself, with
Miss Kingore playing opposite to
him.
1--WE will cast Semmes for the viii
lain" argued one of Joe's friends, and
with that idea in his mind Joe spent
whole night writing fendish part
with its accompanying heroic details.
When the play was read over the
next morning by the committee
Semmes suggested that as the villains
part was such strong one no one but
the author could do it full justice. As
Joe's friend was in the minority
Semmes idea was adopted. Semmes
then volunteered to play the role of
the hero and was accepted, much to
Joe's chagrip.
When Joe's suggestion that Miss
Frost, an angular maid Of forty or
thereabouts, be given the heroine's
part was oyerruled and Miss Kingore
chosen, his cup of sorrow was fiIIe1
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