The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1900-11-22
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Lady Annals Warning
BY Magdalen Rock.

mo, NO, Ellis" Guy Durant said,
hastily, you shall not enter
upon such bargain blindfolded. Let
me see," the speaker consulted a
schedule for a moment. eyes, there's
q train to Helmsford at 2:30. IT you
are not otherwise engaged, we can
journey by it to Durant Hall. You
can view the park and the few acres
surrounding it, examine the house.
dine ard sleep there. Then, if your
are foolish enough, tempt me with
your OFFER"
"Nonsense, Durant! l am perfectly
satisfied to give you the money 1 say
for your property" Kirby Ellis an
swered. He was short, stoutly-built
man, with keen BLACK eyes and
square, determined jaw. Possibly
there was Hebrew blood in his veins.
At any rate, few men on the stock ex-
change were bolder in their specula-
tions, and fewer still were as success
ful.
aBut I am not satisfied to take it,
his companion remarked, quietly. ITO
tell you the truth, you offer too much.
Durant Hall is dilapidated old struc-
ture, and I won't sell it to you except
you see it."
The SPEAKER leaned back in his
chair as he spoke. For two or three
generations the Durants had been go
ing steadily to the bad, and Guy
Durant had been but little wiser than
his immediate predecessors. Not that
he was either a gambler or spend
thrift, but he possessed an easy-going,
generous disposition, some artistic
and expensive tastes, and no business
instincts. He had married pretty
young English girl, who had died.
leaving him with baby two months
old. The child he had placed under
the care Of her maternal aunt, and for
many years he had led an aimless,
pleasurable existence, in continental
cities chiefly.
A few months previously he had
taken up his residence in London, for
the purpose of being near a physi-
clan in whom he had much depend
ence. He had been aware for some
time that his heart was affected, and
DR.. Chalmers had told him that his
length Of days could not be long, and
Tor the first time he had begun to
consider his child. No provision had
been made for her, and Durant hall
and its few hundred acres were heav-
W mortgaged. He had been not . lit
tle surprised when Kirby Ellis had OF.
tered him fancy price for the rem
nant Of his property. He had met
that gentleman once or twice abroad
and had wondered why ne was so anx
ious to cultivate him, once he settled
i IN London.
Well, what do you say?" Durant
demanded, after short silence.
lsupposey you must have your way
Il Ellis replied, rather shortly.
All right then. I'll wire to the ole
Aousekeeper to expect us, and meet
you at Paddington in half An hour,
Durant said, rising.
Ellis nodded and the two men sep
N arated. Three hours later they were a,
Dnrant Hall, and its owner insisted or
Il its would-be purchaser seeing the en-
tire property he was so eager to pos
sess. Evening had closed into nigh
when at length they sat down to dinner
N the large wainscoted library. It wa:
lne most comfortable room in tn,
lower part of the mansion, and various
portraits of dead and gone Durant:
aung upon its dark oaken walls. On
g these seemed to have a special at
' fraction for Ellis, and Guy Duran
0ughed as he noticed it.
Everyone remarks that portrait,
e said. Shall tell you Lady Anna
story2"