The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1902-02-20
Il Fair
BY JOHN A. ST. CLAIR.

THE tender shades of an August eve
were stealing over the classic
haunts of Macatawa. On the hotel
yeranda sat two lovers. No sweet MUIR
mur of lovers condolences made the air
melodious or mingled with the ripple
Of the waves. That they were lovers
appeared rather from the proprietary
air with which the young woman re-
garded her companion and the tones of
,reproach in which she addressed him.
There they sat, obvious of all around,
needless of many quizzing glance and
significant toss of the head in their di-
rection. The summer brigade from
Chicago was keenly alive to the rela-
tions Of the pair and mortified beyond
measure that nothing of what was TAX
ing place could be overheard.
sMy!' said Grace Medlicott, 81 never
could think what Percy Ten Brock saw
in that green-eyed, red-headed Doro-
thy Smith. She's older than he is, tool"
8 "0h, / don't know" said Tiny Mason.
She's certainly no Venus, that Doro-
thy; but what of him? His face will
never be his fortune, and he has moth
I ing but the few dollars he gets in Law
( yer Shearer's office. His father has to
support him. | wouldn't have him if
every hair of his head were hung with
diamonds"
''You didn't always think so," as
serted Grace. Last winter you and he
we're great friends. It's case of the
fox and the grapes with you"
"It's case of green-eyed jealousy
with you," retorted Tiny, and the pair
Of friends sauntered down to the lake
In search of the eternal male.
Meanwhile the lovers moodily re-
garded each other. Their quarrels had
been frequent of late and had reached
crisis.
I think it is too bad, Percy, the way
you treat me-" said Dorothy, her au-
burn hair cleaning like gold in the twi-
light, her sweet American face with it's
"reminiscences of spirited ancestry
beaming with intelligence, yet over
cast with the consciousness of injus-
stiee. A fair picture she made, with her
hthe athletic figure and look of hon
esty and hatred of all things mean.
! You deliberately Sighted me last
night at Mrs. Browns dance. What is
the meaning of this? You know you
are engaged to me, yet you danced with
me but once and firted outrageously
With that Medlicott girl. Now you re-
sent my speaking about it. Do Sou
think have no spirit? Do you imagine
am going to sit down tamely under in
suit! Never! Percy. You know have
loved you. Through good report and
" report have stood by you. know
you are extravagant. 1 tell you SO,
'nough | have denied the stories when
e'ners have repeated them. Though I
nave Indignantly repudiated the idea
Nnen others said it, l am persuaded
mat 1t is too true that you have been,
a. .ney say. up against every game
that's going
i believe" she went on, passionate
Y that you are in debt; that your
only hope is this Philippine appoint
nent that has been offered you. Yet,
= spite OF all, am willing to marry
YOU II you will only swear solemnly to
seiorm. will go with you at once to
:. ...dinooanga. What do l care for isola-
uoh and want of society. 1 care for
~ .vse' The love you once promised me.
.ne strong, deep, undying affection
~. IVY kindred souls should have for each
sener. l believe in virtue, in honor, in
Aohesty In man and woman, and am
auy TO devote myself to you and to
our household, come what will. You
van say l am unreasonable. | only
ssn s,, That you love me in return. NV
.a'her will object at first, but when he |
ny 81, mat my happiness is involved he
- , give way. Oh, Percy, we could be
young mans somewhat stolid
!. a.enance lighted up for an instant
me enthusiasm of his fair COM
taulon. His better nature stirred |
= 'u'iy beneath its eerements of self
ness !. Tor moment. But immediate
Y selfinterest asserted its sway and