The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1899-03-02
4 Perfectly Model Man
By Ella Higginson.

z n
It was near midnight. When the
l9hts had been dinmed throughout
he house, and stiffness had settled
upon everything, he had arisen in un-
heafable suffering and gone softly
down stairs. 1t was her last night in
I the house, whose every chair and cur
tain seemed to thrill as he passed. and
I he must be nearer the room in which
che lay asleep-forevermore asleep.
He threw himself upon couch in
the hall. He lay on his back with one
srm thrown over his eyes. He was
trembling like an old, old man-or like
dog that lies out in the cold and wet
and hears a fire cracking within the
house.
a fine rain was beating ceaselessly
against the windows and doors. The
climbing rose against the side of the
house moved it's arms as the wind bore
down upon it. 1t had not been a month
Gince she had asked him to tack it
more securely. as the autumn winds
were coming on; and he had replied
that he would do it some other time
I he had an engagement now. The en-
gagement had been to play billiards
With man for whom he cared moth
tng. She was standing on the steps in
/ her pale blue gown, with tacks and bits
s d leather and a long-handIed hammer
\ Ii her hands. He recalled the cloud of
disappointment that had drifted sud-
denly across her face. The following
1 morning he had observed that the vine
ms tackled in place, and he had not
thought of it again. Until now! Why
Z o. earth should he think of it now!
Vas not his anguish deep enough? Why
could he not remember rather the
tlings he had done to make her
! kappy-the pleasant home he had given
her. the jewels, the pretty gowns, the
eerriage-ah, the carriage! His heart
epeled and closed suddenly. The car
mage in which she seemed to take ne
pleasure because he never went driv
ing with her! He had told her that he
Was too busy! Good God! his heart
elied out roughly, why need he have
& led 10 her? She must have known
then that he was lying to her; surely
& 7e knew it now.
Presently he became aware that two
1 NeInen had entered an adjoining room
xhey drew their chairs to the fire ant
seMed and talked. The door leading
INTO the dark hall was open. 1t seemed
sood to him-less lonely-that the,
nould be there. They spoke in un
\ aashed voices, as if to make it more
sheerful for themselves.
Well. said one, after they had talked
d other things, biting a thread aut
l0lling the end between her thumb ant
M sefennger, "she had everything tha
q ntart could want. He's a good nan. an
! e was mighty good to her." She ben
inward the lamp to thread her needle
yer eyelids flickered close together
d any wrinkles ran around her eyes.
lhe other woman was silent.
Yes" continued Mrs. Gregg, begin
n lng to sew, there amt many men 4
s etcd to woman's he was. She had
y aaes home. all furnished up nice-w' )
nat sideboard alone cost 5000 if it cos
sa cent! She had cook an secon,
SS sss-l never could see why they cal
en- second girls-an' a kerriage, ar
Ae lewelry, an dresses. She had
nc enty o spending money besides"
ne other woman was SILENT VIII
eM she not sreak. He lifted his hea
S nd looked at her. She rocked bac
sao forth as she sewed. Her eyes wer
eer work. He knew her well-a poo
lshbor to whom his wife had give
ucn sewing and of whom she had a
been fond. Only few hours b.
ae her death she had spoken to hi,
TINS wom 4. you'll do somethiu
o.. ner sometimes, Dearest" she ha
alspered, even after speech was di
- thing for her. DO little thins
Il ~ ner and the children-and do the
e ncateIy-so you will not-hurt-
She had sunk back in his arm
apsted, and finished the senten.
|liss lth smile.
Lock At her front door," went q