The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1901-06-06

IT WAS a perfect moonlight night,
and two people were slowly pacing
q secluded path in the grounds of the
Darncombe Cliff hotel. The man was
about 35 years of age, powerfully built,
with a strong, good-looking face and
a bronzed complexion. His companion
was young and radiantly-pretty girl,
not more than 81.
They stroIled for some moments in
silence. The man, with his hands
thrust deep in the pockets of his jack
et was thinking hard, thinking of the
thing that had happened to him.
He was in love-in love with the girl
who was walking so calmly by his
side. And it could have no result! 1t
was impossible!
They had come to a seat on the cliff,
and the girl touched him lightly on
the arm. He awoke from his reverie
with start.
"Shall we sit down for moment ?'
eLc sdld. lpu maven L loi1I HiC huIt
of what want to know, yeti"
He dropped into the seat by her
side. Below them was the sea, its rip
pling surface glittering under the light
of the moon.
"You can't think" she continued,
smiling at him frankly. chow dread
fully nervous | was when Cyril told
me you were coming to England!"
Dalyell forced smile.
Had he drawn such terrible pic
ture of me, then?"
"Oh, no! He is very proud of you
proud of what you have done. But
thought that, perhaps" she hesi-
tated, and her eyes fell on her engage
ment ring, that perhaps you would
not approve of his choice"
sudden cold feeling crept over
him.
Who could help loving him?" she
cried, eagerly. "He is so good - so
clever. so handsome!" She paused.
Weren't you pleased, after all these
years. to find him as he is?''
Her face, sparkling with enthusi-
asm, was turned appealingly to him.
he looked at her for a second, then
pulled himself together and lied
bravely.
Yes; he is brother any man would
be glad to own!" he said. in a voice
lhat seemed strange to him.
She did not notice it, however. Her
cheeks were flushed, and she laughed
softly.
Il didn't know the world held such
happlness!" she said, in a low tone.
As what?" He could not resist the
question.
The JOY of being loved by Cyril, and
the prospect of being his wife!" she
said, proudly.
he turned his face away, that she
might not see the bitter look that had
crept to it. Years ago, when hardly
more than boy, he had gone abroad.
ne had worked hard, was clever, and,
oest OF all, lucky. In a few years his
means were considerable, and. his faith
CT dying, he had made an allowance
OF some hundreds year to his aunt
ior the purpose of educating his young
Ct brother. With these funds he was
sent to college, but his career there
was not particularly brilliant. Then
~ was discovered that he had a crav-
'hg TOT art, and he was given the best
opportunities. Dalyell, to whom
.iohey was now but a secondary OBJ
jeet' good-naturedly continued the al
.'"ance. Occasionally Cyril wrote en-
.uussastlc letters about his progress,
out they always contained a request
4or more money, and Dalyell, sitting
a.ohe IN his bungalow some thousands
VI miles away, would smile contemptu-
ously and sign a check.
Immediately on landing, Cyril had
INSISTED on dragging him down to
oarncombe, where Madge Escott. to
"hom he had lately become engaged,
sho her aunt were staying. They had
oeen together day or two, then Cvril
uaa gone to London to execute a com
misslon for portrait, leaving him be-
a.no, and for ten days he had prac-
.,caiiy been alone with her. She felt
'nae Iyrll had left him in her care,
sho mad devoted all her time to him:
sno this had been the result-he had
'aiien madly in love with her,
May l tell you secret?"
ne gave slight start as her gentle
voice fell on his ears. he turned his