The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1903-12-17
BENTON LOUISIANA, THURSDAY, DECEMBER Il, 1908

the NdnQernOuS 10 lnLrOQuce MIN. Inc
Vanderhoffs had let no celebrity escape
for half century; they saw him before
the others. That was half the reason
for the leadership of the Vanderhoffs.
And so it happened that the lion of
the season, Mr. John Rutherford, was
presented to Mrs. Vernon Mordyke.
Why did my lady turn pale? Why did
she grasp convulsively at the portieres
for support? And why did the great
celebrity start, as though he had touched
an electric battery? And why did his
cheeks grow ashen pale beneath his
black whiskers? All, my readers, the
eyes of love have quality not given to
other eyes. To no other person in all the
great assemblage came the slightest sus-
picion that John Rutherford, the great
celebrity that was, was none other than
Gerald Fuller, the convict that had been
no, not even Vernon Mordyke, with
whom the great celebrity had chatted for
some minutes-Vernon Mordyke who
had been the bosom friend of Gerald Full
Ter. F@ #
But Edith Mordyke knew him the mo-
ment she set eyes on him, the moment
she felt his presence, and he knew that
she knew And so it came to pass, quite
naturally, as John Rutherford was de-
tained in the city for some months pre-
pairing to go to Central America, that
the two old lovers saw each other often
and that it was impossible not to mu-
tually recognize that both knew. There
were mutual explanations and conf
dences-a very bad thing for young
married woman, neglected by her hus-
band to indulge in toward an old lover,
and she learned of her husbands per-
fidy to his friend and heard the story of
the long, hard fight the old lover had
made in new state in the far west to
rebuild his manhood under new name.
Finally the man admitted to himself
that the old love was not dead and fierce
ly proclaimed to his own bosom that he
owed nothing to the traitor who had
robbed him of his reputation and his
bride. So eventually there was scene.
half unwilling and they found them
selves in each others arms.
Then the old, old problem, what to
do. He was for flight; willing and anx-
ious to give up all the advantage and
reputation he had gained, to give up his
great position and flee to some far coun-
try and live only in her smiles. She
not unwilling for herself. but hesitating
to drag him down. At last the time
came when it must be decided.
'T cannot, Gerald" she said, pushing
him away. '1t is Heaven you offer, but
cannot, and if did you would despise
me-"
"No, no" he cried, Il will love you
always Come, come away from all this
pretense and sham l have means
enough. Let US go to Italy and live and
love forever"
She was in his arms before she knew.
What would have been the end is some
thing upon which every man and woman
is entitled to guess. Alas for history.
however, it must remain forever silent
for in response to loud knock at the
door, she responded and received mes
sage that Vernon Mordyke had died OF
apoplexy few moments before.
When John Rutherford went to Gem
trail America a few weeks later, he took
with him bride whose weeds were still
green. OF course society was scandal
ized, but the newly welded couple mad
no sign.