The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1904-11-10
BENTON, BOSSIER PARISH,

come home tits maxim yer sowl you'd
be-"
When morning came he relieved
Johnny at 8 o'clock. the latter having
seen no one "comin' or goin'." and again
took up his surveillance Of the house.
1t was dusk when Mt last the figure he
, had been looking for came slowly
down the steps. She had almost reached
the gate when Jerry. his old heart beat
! ing in his throat. stepped out on the
gravel walk beside her
II dunno IL you noticed. ma'am." he
said casually. touching his hat. 'but
I'm afraid tits dying the rosebush b.
the south wall is"
She had halted, looking at him in
uncertainty. bewilderment for mo-
ment dsphcing the listless despair of
her face
""TwIl be ten year ago come to-
morrow week since planted it." Jerry
went on reminiscently. 81 mind well
twas the very day the master brought
ye home. ma'am. l can see yez now.
standin' hand in hand lOokin' at me-
Her fingers had gone swiftly TO her
throat as IL the lace there strangled
her. Jerry watched her for a moment.
AN sure there never was such q
tree for blossomin'." he went on slow
". II used to think that the love In
the eyes Of yez both that day blessed
1t. Sure it's bve bush,' sez to me-
self. An 'tisn't In yer two arms ye
could carry the roses on it when it be-
gun to bloom. am they the sweetest
that ever grew. But .lately-somehow
| Il dunno
| His voice had trailed off into the
inexpressibly sad monotone of his race.
The slender figure before him quivered.
her hands twisting themselves convul-
sively in the folds of her cloak.
Last year." he quavered on. there
was but three small buds on it: this
year there's but wan. misdoubt II
it's alive at all-the love bush II be-
another year"
She moved stumbHngly away from
him across the grass to the south
wall. Jerry scarcely breathed as he
followed and stood behind her. Oh,
the wealth of blossom the love bush
had once borne! She remembered how
the old gardener delighted to bring the
fragrant armfuls to her on the ami
versary of its planting-the day that
Aleck had brought her home. Now
She looked at the blighted. twisted
leaves, clinging as If for shelter to the
wall. and sob. which was the upheav-
! 01 nf oil fhea nj ir in 1,oys
heart. tore her delicate throat Her
face as she turned it to Jerry was an
agony.
"Save itr' she pleaded. "Oh. Jerry. IL
1t is not quite dead, save ,it!'
Eyes, ma am" Eut Jerry's voice was
husky and he drew his coat sleeve
across his eyes. "'Tis safe enough
she is now. glory be to God"' he added
in whisper
he stood in the shadow Of the wall
until she had stolen back to the house,
carrying the one poor blossom of the
love bush with her. Then he made his
way to where beyo ond the grounds lay
strip Of moonlit road.
At sight Of the figure which paced
impatiently back and forth there Jer-
rvs body was contorted again, but this
time with savage triumph.
AYE" be hissei slowly. "ye may
walk. an ye may walk ag'in. an ye
may keep on walkfn' till the feet drop
OF ye an the Divil gifts his own-bu,
yen never git what yer waitin' for
an the Lord be praised for 1t"
1t was the one regret Of Jerry's life
that he was in bod and asleep that
night when the master got home. Evi
IDENTIFY Johnny. with the aid Of sudden
and suspicious ailment Of the bay
mare. had made his sour to some
purpose that morning. The master had
arrived at 10 O'Clock. according to Mrs
Riley. the cook. and. to the best Of bel
belief. he and the mistress had talked
all night
Jerry was assiduo<lsly doing bis bes1
for the love bush the next morning
when they came out Of the house. Mr.
Alexis strong shoulder behind the mis-
tress. she leaning back against him
her face white and shining with love
The old gardener rose quickly and
came to meet them.
III you'll believe me. ma'am." he be
gan eagerly. "'tis a new shoot Just
this mint found on the rose bush be
the south wall. an. us true as I live
II 'tisn't covered with strong, healthy
budsv'
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