The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1900-04-12
ENHANCEMENT
By 8. Rhett Roman.

THE carriage turned and the horses.
pampered and spirited. started
rspidly down the hard, winding road,
xhile Horton, waving his hand to two
faces looking out the window of the
suickly-disappearing train, jumped in
IS trap and followed.
aCome over and spend the evening,
now that your friends have gone Miss
dAubert called to him as they left.
Beyond the limits of the village they
drove through the beautiful. peace
ful scenery of southern Louisiana.
through broad stretches of cultured
land. handsome houses in the midst of
towering trees, thick shrubbery and
flowers, past groups of whitewashed
cottages and green pastures, where
cattle browsed in content that the day
was done and the pleasant spring night
close at hand.
Aurore leaned forward and looked
silently at the calm and beautiful land
scrape, while the continuous crunch of
the wheels on the gravel and quick
heat of the horses hoofs seemed an ac-
compartment to her confused and
whirling thoughts and emotions.
The wave of brilliant color which had
swept over her face with a keen, joy
ous surge as she recognized the clear
cut features, fine eyes and firm, pleas
mt mouth so wildly remembered, re-
nained like blushing roses in her
eheeks, while look of startled ten
aerness, undiscernable in the dwind-
! ling twilight, forced the curves of her
ips into lines of exquisite beauty.
How time fiies!" remarked her
aunt, with sigh of placid content,
weaving certain plans for the near fu-
ture, in which her handsome niece was
70 take a prominent part.
DO you not think May is very
sharming mouth, cherie? Why not
lhten to reason, and let Robert per-
suade you? June is the best possible
time to go abroad, and your uncle and
could join you later in Paris. We
could spend the winter there if Robert
can spare the time, and your sorrow
lcease to overshadow you, my dear.
fou are too young. mon enfant. to be
unhappy. There is so much in the
years to come to gild life for you into
happiness; our affection and Robert S
devoted attachment will quickly chase
sway ell the shadows if you will only
g reasonable and consent
look OF keen distress settled over
AuFore's face. and although her lips
parted as II to speak no sound came.
II is for your welfare and happiness
press you. Aurore," resumed her
aunt, with kindly emotion. Robert
norton is your only close relative.
child, and should the accidents of life
sake us old people away from you
Nno-Would protect and care for you
ioar father was my dearly loved
3other. We're ] to die. Aurore.
could not meet him if l left his only
usnghter alone and unprotected in this
nearfless and cruel world.''
With half sob Aurore threw a lov.
Mg arm around Mrs. d'Aubert's mech
aae declared with loving reproach that
sne would not listen to words SO sad
ma 70 eyentualities too distant to be
sthlng but shadows.
lou are trying to frighten me. Let
e stay with you and dear old nncle
sno Jet us frame no plans, or, if yo.
N''s iet US three go abroad in June
soa and uncle and /.
ss he Will visit together the old Ger
~ towns you are so fond Of. ant
& @nen winter comes we will see.''
nat her aunt shook her head Will
1s.ng persistency, while fondly strok
Aarore's brown hair as it rested OF
- shoulders.
alAe most gentle and placid natures
s s1s. .Auoert. when once her mind wa.
up on a question. became tenn
~ and immoyable and rarely eve1
aaoned her point.
aaA her husband well knew. "Celest,
gly. " o ~ !
u', cherie. poor Bert is wearing hi,
Gut she continued. gently
e are unkind and not fair to him
49, your father wished it. Sowhy pu
nowhere would you find a kind
oetter man than Robert Horton
1 ls untiring devotion. Does tha
aor nothing? Be reasonable, M
Let us say-the last ten days o
Z 4 Let me tell Bert
81 40! no! Not yet. Not in-May.'
Aurore, poignant anguisl
aag vt her heart strings.
Ess 81 "a vas long pause, while cal
ept up the avenue and stopped