The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1901-02-21

wv nextweek; she wants me to take
her to board for spell"
Ahby Merrill walked across the
,oom. sat down, and began to knit,
before she answered: "Why? 1t isn't
summer"
.No, but her father and Mrs. STAN
ton are going to Seattle, and Ida
don't want to take the trip. | have
an idea she is not any too fond OF her
etepmother. Anyhow, she wants to
stay here until they come back.
aOf course we shall have to take
her.
Mrs. Merrill looked at her daugh-
fer in astonishment. ''Of course!
Have you anything against it?
thought you would be delighted.
You didn't want to let her out of
your sight when she was here two
years back. For my part. I'm glad
she's coming. She is such good COM
pany, and she never gives a mite OF
trouble, just fits in, and is always
ready to help. 1t isn't every girl
who has been used to the best of
everything, like Ida, who would be
80 fond of her country kinfolks.
I'm sure, mother, her mother was
your own first cousin"
aYes, but some girls wouldn't like
me any better for that. To be sure,
we are not to say poor, but we are
different to the fine folks Ida goes
with in town."
"Yes,' assented Abby. 81 suppose
We are. But l don't know why you
think I mind her coming. I just
thought It queer"
To tell the truth, Abby Merrill did
not share her mothers satisfaction
In the expected arrival. She admired
her cousin extravagantly. and it was
Tor that very reason that, just now,
she would have preferred that she
should stay away. Abby understood
perfectly that she was overshadowed
BY her brilliant cousin. Ida Stanton
was unusually pretty, she had had
every advantage of education and
travel; moreover, she was clever, and
possessed of personal magnetism in
high degree. Abby dreaded her
coming; how much she did not want
her mother to know. For the girl
was in love, and believed her affec-
uon returned, although no vows had
passed between her and her lover
There was new minister at Mer-
!iiis Corner, young, unmarried, and
70 Abby's eyes altogether lovely. He
llked her better than any other girl
N the congregation, she was sure OF
mat. But Cousin Ida was coming
ana how could any man fail to fall
IN love with her? 81 wouldn't mind
poor Abby said to herself. ''if there
"as any chance that she would fall
N love with him. But she won't, she
Wili Just break his heart, and make
MN miserable. l always feel like a
sparrow by the side of an oriole wher
am with Cousin Ida, and I don't
suppose Mr.. Kirkland will look at me
while she is here"
iaa stanton was really fond of he,
soasihs. She was a born flirt an6
ae'a all men as her legitimate prey
.ae she would not have hurt Abb,
TOT a great thing. still less a small
Oae When Mr.. Kirkland called soor
slser her arrival, she welcomed hin
q something superior to the young
alnaers whom she expected to meet
however. her long-lashed. hazel-pra,
es We're quick to see, and ABBY.
rus, n.asn and look of apprehension en-
s sn'ened her instantly. Hands off,
sala to herself, and gave he1
snoie attention to the shawl wbicl
sae was knitting for her cousin Jane
ssssrtheless, i she was conscious tha
~ minister looked, not once. bu
ln9 umes, in her direction. al
nough, like a good little p;rl sb,
poke only when she was spoken to
!, mas u her fault that Mr.. Kirklan,
ash. her voice one of the sweet
Is mad ever heard, and listene,
.l'sntiy TO the few words which sb
foAe curing his visit? When he lef,
III. .s,ohs were not of Abby's child
@ Diue eyes, but of hazel ones
LEO by long lashes, and of slin
q ,se nngers fitting among meshe
Y crimson wool. 'N
Zen ne called again, matters wer
8. s'xa worse. Mr.. Merrill was at bomx