The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1902-02-06


tlement."
Now Jim could see the light of her
mothers cabin far up on the mountain,
and he turned into the trail which
would soon lead him to the side of
Sally Ann. His heart beat faster as he
approached the dwelling. This would
be, perhaps, his last visit. Afterwards
he planned to go into the far west, any,
where, he thought, to escape the MEM
ory of his blighted hopes.
The door was open, and after stop
ping a moment to speak to the dog,
who had recognized him, he crossed
the narrow porch. His steps were ar
rested, however, as he saw the Widow
Larkin bending over the bed, tanning
Sally Ann, whose face seemed very pale
to him, as he stood there in the shadow
watching. The widow looked up, and,
smiling family, came outside, shutting
the door after her. "She's asleep"
"What's the matter, Martha?
hedn't heared that she wuz sick abed."
"She hain't been on her feet fer these
two weeks. Ye ricollect she wuz right
puny when ye wuz hyar the last time.
Two or three days after that she TUX
to her bed, an she amt eat skasely
anything since. Hits the kinsump-
ton, Use afeared; an then too she's
that crazy over Bud that hit makes it
all the wusser. At times think that
his fergittin' her has brung it on soon
er. She KEEP expectin' him to write,
an ontil she TUX to her bed, she never
failed a-goin' down fer that letter
which never come. Thar, she's woke
up, an I reckin she'll be glad to see ye,
on'y she's that weak sne can't talk long
at a stretch Here's Jim, Sally Ann,
come up fer to see how yer farm"
"Oh, I'm a-gittin' pretty weak, Jim;
I reckon we won't fuss at each other
much longer. Ye've alluz treated me
! fair an squar', Jim, an I'm 'bleeged to
| We fer that; ye've never lied to me, an
p'raps that's more than I kin say fer
some of my friends"
"Air ye talkin' about Bud, Sally
| Ann?"
s'Did say anythin' about Bud, Jim?''
she said, family.
! "Nary word, Sally, but lowed ye
meant him, an eff ye did, hit may be ez
1 kin hep We little. Here's letter
that lowed come from him.
A cry of JOY was the only response
and he saw that the news had made
her faint away. In an instant her
mother was at her side, and in short
while brought her back to conscious
ness. Sally Ann snatched the letter
from his grasp, and pressed it first tc
her lips, then tightly against hel
bosom. A smile of satisfaction lighted
up her thin wan face, and the watchers
could see that the death angel hovered
I over her head, that her frail body
would soon be tenantless.
Slowly she extended her arm to jim
and handed him the letter.
"Mammy's no scholar, Jim; ye reat
it fer me? Yer my friend, amt yt
Jim?'
With trembling lips he began t.
read, while she strained every nerve II
it's utmost tension, listening eagerly
her eyes fairly glowing with expec
fancy: "Dear Sally Ann, I love"
He got no further. Those word
were like breath from HEAVIER. He,
face flushed, then grew deathly pale
and with the word bud" upon her lip!
she died, fully convinced of his faith
fulness.
While the poor widow wept over tn
body of her daughter, Jim drew out tn
letter which Sally had intrusted t.
him. and by the Pickering fireligh
finished the sentence that he had be
gun to the dying girl. AS he read it hi
face grew livid with emotion, and h
crumpled the letter in his hand
Hoarsely whispering to himself
damn him! eff he'd only knowed," h
threw the paper on the fire. watched
burn for an instant, and, with one las
look towards the death-bed, tiptoe
out into the darkness.