The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1904-08-11

nOr1ng his remark.
"Oh, don't l. though! You tripped,
and l had the delirious JOY Of catching
you in my arms. But do you remember
how l saved money? I've roared over
my witness more than once. You
know l had only $25 to my name, and
l said that carriages We're too slow and
that we would much better take car"
Il had forgotten that" Peggy said.
''but remember how fighting mad you
We're when papa rushed in. You stood
between bin and me and said, Sir.
your daughter has consented to be-
come my wifer Oh, Dick, wasn't it
funny"
Yes" he said slowly. Sometimes
it seems funny to me and sometimes 1t
seems strangely tragic. That we We're
such babies is the only saving fact
Poor kids!' He sighed and turned his
eyes from the girls face. II suppose
you're engaged now!" he said.
NO"
''IIow does that happen?"
She shook her head. "And you?'
she said.
Engaged? No. indeed. never saw
but one lovable girl in my life"
And she wouldn't marry you?"
She wouldn't. There will never be
another. l lost track of her,
but you didn't forget her?" the girl
asked softly.
Il never forgot her for a minute.
But it's too late to find her now. She
doesn't care for me anyway"
"Oh. Dick, don't say that. Any girl
ought to care for you. Just the fact
that you stay true to one woman
should be enough. Don't give up and
spoil it."
"Wili you give me a recommended
tion?" he asked. smiling. Say that
none Of my relatives were hanged or
something like that?"
II could say much better things. 1t
is eautiful that you want to find her.
l like it. Dick. And l think the girl
will like It."
Roberts looked deep ir-f her eyes,
but he saw no self CONSCIOUSNESS He
that women are clever actresses
''Your advice may be good" he said
after few moments of silence but
what would you have said yourself,
Peggy, If had hunted you up and had
told you about caring for your The
girl is very much like you. What would
you have saidY'
"Oh, that's silly. Dick" sha said
quickly. You know you wouldn't"
She looked past Roberts and frowned
uneasily. Its going to rain" she muir
INJURED. ''and I'm cold"
"Oh. suppose So" Dick said gloom
ily. shed say that too. That's why
! didn't hunt her up
"But it's going to rain. There. I felt
drop. Dick
Roberts rose quickly and looked to-
ward the fort.
by Jove, it is. Peggy. I didn't no
| tice those clouds. Here comes the
wind Well have to stand under those
| trees till it blows over I'm mighty
sorry that I didn't notice it." He
slipped off his coat and wrapped it
about the girls shoulders.
'.Oh. don't. Dick" she protested
"Please. You know girls don't take
cold as easily as men. They're used
to exposure"
They ran to clump Of trees and
Roberts made the girl kneel by low
stone wall that ran ut the side Of the
road.
'Dick, I don't want You to stand
there in the rain. Please take your
coat"
He smiled down at her. What a
foolish little girl it is," he said. "Bui
I'll kneel beside you If you think its
safe''
She raised her questioning eyes tt
his. Il wish you would" she said
II don't like to have you take such {
terrible risk, and just to protect me
when can keep dry in this corner as
well as not
Roberts dropped to his knees ant
leaned against the. wall.
Peggy" he said, 'just to protec
you would give my life. Didn't 70,
know that, DEAR? There was tender
ness in his tone and conviction. FL,
spoke not passionately, but truly.
Peggy locked her hands tightly to
gether and her lips quiyered. 1t seemed
a long time before she could raise he
eyes. Then she met the earnest, ques
tioning gaze of the man.
/ "You may" she said simply. "Dick
you may"
The rain had ceased and the cloud
had hurried on their way toward tn
east when Peggy and Captain Robert
entered the reservation and were me
by the jovial colonel.
WELL" he said heartily, Peggy
I've had searching party out for you
but l just heard that you two wei;
coming up the river road. This look
bad. bad. Why, we began to thin
you and the captain, here, had eloped.
Peggy flushed and glanced at th
younger man. Then she smiled at th
colonel.
I'VE did," she said demurely. Isl
wears ago"