The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1903-12-03

| How was a man of this sort to un-
derstand born aristocrat like Fred |
erick Van Slasson, who was born to
great wealth and taught from his era
die that only the softest things, the
most excellent and delicate luxuries of
earth were for him, and that he was
made of finer clay than the rest Of
Misunderstanding the Van Slassons in
all the collateral branches, and few
other families favored in some ex-
traordinary way by divine providence.
Van Slasson at the time of the shock
was man Of SIS, with hair as white
as snow, although his features were
ruddy and almost youthful. His fea-
lures were delicate and aristocratic,
his forehead distinctly intellectual. He
was scholar and read widely, owning
a great library of the rarest and best
selected books. He was a connoiseur
in art, drew some himself and owned
many rare paintings. He was an in
tense lover Of music and played well
on several instruments, besides pos
sessing charming voice. He was In
every way dillitante, an artist and an
aristocrat
Now it would appear that there
would be no natural way for these two
men to come in contact But in every
situation the woman must be taken
into account or your answer will be in
error
So it happened in this case that
woman brought together these anti
podes. She was Van Slasson's niece
and ward, a beautiful girl whose physi-
cal graces were crowned by an alert
mentality and spirituality which
charmed and attracted all who met
) her.
She was the orphan of Frederick Van
Slasson's only brother, and an heiress
. of considerable wealth. BY the terms
of her fathers will she was made a
t sacred charge upon Frederick Van
Slasson, and all her interests were
placed in his hands. He had accepted
t the charge reluctantly, but discharged
it most conscientiously. Not only had
he devoted himself to the care and en-
n hancement of her fortunes, but had
given his best thought and care to her
e own education and development He
had grown to love her as his own
daughter, all the starved affection OF
\ his nature had turned upon her; and
she had given him all the respect and
love and tenderness of her bountiful
girlhood. To him she was an lido
made of precious dust. To her he was
the best and kindest and wisest of men
He was jealousy careful of her, and ir
his fear that she might meet an un.
worthy man and become interested IL
him, he had kept her from society.
All of which was most foolish, for
le sooth, because when Edith went ives
TT to visit friends in her twentieth yea
ut she met Freeman Dustin and straight
ly way fell in love with him. He was 81
ID different from the type of men sh'
Of knew, so different from her aristocrati
uncle, that his very ruggedness ant
er physical strength fascinated her. Sh,
Or never before had seen man with 81
at fearless an eye, nor one absolutely un
Of conscious of conventionalities, and sh
lg adored his courage and strength. HI
at was in the very prime of his physica
as manhood and seemed perfect god t
1T uCI. u Uc SuiC HC ldChCu Lie HILL
Id refnements and graces of men of he
C. uncle's type, but the very differenc
w attracted her.
nd And Dustin fell equally in love wit
st. the daiAty little aristocrat, as perfec
t. as bit of Dresden china. She wa
lis there but few months, but they wer
ID. sufficient for the development Of tn
an romance. His love was declared an
be accepted with the proviso that sh
re loved and reverenced her uncle abov
en- every being, and would never MARI
g. without his consent.
a, Dustin laughed at the proviso.
nd will see the gentleman said he, IAN
e. reckon it can be arranged"
"You do not know him." replied tn
if girl doubtfuliy. "He is marble whe
h his mind is made up. But some day
he will marry you anyway, sweetheart
ce A few weeks later Dustin was ser
d. east on business for his firm, and SCI
its word 20 the lady of his love that b
he would call on her on certain ev,
in ming. He received in reply pressin
"a invitation to dinner, and went.
1t The house and all the appurtenEnc'
Id. bore the rank of utmost respectable
ip- and wealth. During the dinner Free
us erick Van Slasson eyed the visitt
lot narrowly, but treated him with perfe
W. courtesy. Van Slasson had heal
let enough from his niece to suspect Il
al state of affairs. Her attitude towal
his the young man at dinner confirmed h
ne. suspicious. When it was over he i
ell yited Dustin to his library for a ciga
led That was where he received II
he shock.
len Dustin was in his thirty-eighth ye
ad and perfect master of himself.
he never had acknowledged a superb
Dol and felt himself the equal of any 9th
VS., man. His clothes were not of the late
the cut nor finest texture, but he W
sublimely unconscious.
to ''Mr. Dustin" said Van Slasson, aft
ner the cigars were lighted, 81 am t