The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1904-03-31

that time l would have told you Ned
Reniich looked like a peach orchard
out of cultivation, but naturally see
things clearer now. Ned was really
good looking fellow and good hearted
one, too, as I've found out many times
since then.
Between Ned and me the rivalry for
Branche Strings heart waged fast and
furious. We hardly spoke to each other
although We had been passing acquaint-
ances before. Blanche never invited us
both to the house the same evening and
so direct clash was avoided.
Every time l called the Widow Stirl-
ing sat there as calm and collected as
you please with pleasant nod for me
always and an occasional word or two IN
the conversation. She never left us alone
in the room and gave me no chance to
speak to Blanche on the subject OF which
my head and heart were full. l paid
both the ladies all sorts of pretty compli-
ments l could think of, but that was
about the limit. Several times when
Blanche and were out together at social
affairs without the chaperonage OF her
mother had started to ask her for her
hand, but she had always stopped me
one way or another before could make
a direct avowal of my love. Usually she
pretended petulancy and, if that ap-
peared about to fail, tears. Against the
latter l was powerless She explained
the tears by nervousness and hysteria
to which she was liable.
Ned Remich and | used to glare al
each other as you've seen bulldogs do
across the street when some ones hold
ing them from each other. 1t was
Blanche Stirling that held us back while
at the same time she unknOwingly incited
us to commit a serious breach Of the
peach.
When my passion had about reached
its height found another chance to dis
tinguish myselfin the eyes of the Stirling
household. Passing the house late at
night, l was astounded to see a man
trying to fit key at the front door.
hadn't heard from Blanche for two days,
but | knew she was at home. The man
| acted as bold as might be and whispered
! to myself: There's q pretty case OF
sneak thieving that don't 60 on my beat!
with that up and grabbed him. He
started to yell, but put my hand over
his mouth. l wasn't going to let him
| arouse the Strings at that hour of the
night. The man fought and struggled
but when he tried to enter into explana-
tions was feeling that savage hit him
with my club until at least he had tC
come along quietly. At the station
hooked him as drunk and what with the
clubbing I'd given him he acted it, too
Il didn't want to be hard on the poor
| devil after the way I'd beaten him and
judged that he'd think himself lucky tc
! be let off with a charge of drunkenness
after what he'd been attempting to do.
THE next morning when went down
to the station there was good sizeG
drama waiting for me. The central fig
ures were the Widow Stirling and hel
pretty daughter Blanche. AS l entered
their backs were toward me and my
prisoner was just being led out of thu
cell.
Blanche's arms were around his necl
in an instant and she was saying some
thing l didn't understand. was thun
derstruck. At last they broke away ant
she, looking toward me, gave suddel
start.
Your father, Miss?" asked.
mo, my husband" was the reply.
"You could have knocked me dow
with chunk of fog was that weak. Tn
floor seemed to open under me and
rubbed my eyes to see if couldn't walk
up. 1t was no go. ! coughed violentl.
and went into side room to get drinl
of water to clear my throat.
when I came back the Strings wer
gone and l was called on for explana
tions, which l gave. The captain of tn
night watch laughed heartily and Ion,
until tears came to his eyes. Hooked o.
but saw nothing to laugh about.
How got out of it don't know, bu
l was the recipient Of many rude jes
for week or SO until l threatened t
kill on sight anyone that said Blanch
Stirling in my presence.
1t seems that her husband had arrive
the day before and was coming in lat
that night when mistook him for
burglar Ned Remich was almost as ba
. of as l was, but the matter soon gre,
quieter as the Strings left town befor
, many days on account Of the notorlet
they'd gained and we're not heard {
, again by me at least"
! Pulling out his watch, the sergear
exclaimed that We had but five mir
. utes in which to reach the theater AN
] we rose hastily, paid our bills ard wer
to watch Rosalind in her Dr. Mary W.
ker suit work out-,he tangle of a cleve
skein.