The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1903-12-17
A WOMAN AT THE
BOTTOM
By PERCY CHAMBERLAIN
Copyright. 1908. by naily Story Pub. Coz
nj EVER were the spacious parlors OF
IN the Vanderhoffs more brilliant, nor

nj EVER were the spacious parlors of
IN the Vanderhoffs more brilliant, nor
never had they held gayer throng. To
look upon the gorgeous assemblage no
one outside the charmed circle of the
Four Hundred would suspect that it had
been a BLACK Friday" on Wall street.
It was useless to designate which partic-
ular Black Friday" there have been SO
many Of them and all so much alike
that it really makes no difference which
particular year it was.
1t is fact, however, that beneath the
immaculate shirt bosoms of the male sec
ton of the guests there were many leaden
hearts and many more sick with ap-
prehension and mad with the necessity
of acting part in the passing show
when wild to be spending the golden
moments alone with figures and plans
for the feared tomorrow. But it was
necessary above all things to appear
calm and unperturbed and so the even
ing was rather gayer than usual because
forced gayety is always more emphatic
and aggressive than the real sort.
In the conservatory apart from the
feverish life of the parlors, two young
people were engaged in earnest
conversation. One was a beautiful girl
with reddish, auburn hair. features like
a Greek goddess and a figure to rave
over. The other was manly young
fellow in his early twenties, well set
up, fine looking and with that perfect
carriage which betokens the gentleman
born.
Edith" the young man was saying,
1T have been very foolish. In the hope
OF making fortune sufficient to war
rant our marriage have lost every dol
lar of my patrimony. am practically
penniless. The Wall street fever was too
much for me. | did not intend to-but
| have succuInbed. have no right to
hold you to your promise longer. | re-
lease you-God knows what it costs me
to say it, but release you."
The clear laugh of the girl interrupt
ed him. Don't be melodramatic, Gerald,
please" she said, Il don't know any
thing about your horrid business, and
never knew anybody in our set to starve.
I told you that loved you, and while
/ don't anticipate taking in washing or
anything of that sort, think we can get
along without all the luxuries We have
been accustomed to-"
The face of the youth. Frightened.
Heaven knows. Edith, you are the one
goal for which am aiming and if you
feel that way all the rest is not worth a
picayune. But understand, have squan-
dered my patrimony and all can offer
you is what | can earn-and that is not
more than the average bank clerk"
"You foolish boy" she replied. Il have
something and both of us have connec-
tions. We will get along all right. Now
run along. am engaged for this dance. =
He led her back to the ball room ra-
diant and fortified against the struggle
he knew was coming. During the even
ing he looked up his friend Vernon Nor
dyke OF the same set and driven from
the same necessity that faced him-the
necessity of one born to the Four Hun
dred, but left with small patrimony-to
lace the world, to go out and labor in
the world of commercialism, his friend
and companion since boyhood and now
his colleague in the great brokerage
Office Of Durand, Durand & Durand.
Vern," he said, Il want to tell you
something, so there will be no chance
for mistake. have been fool and
got caught in the slump. This afternoon