The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1904-01-07
A SACRIFICE
FOR LOVE ~
eccpyrisht. 1905, By Dsaly story Pub. Co,
By MARCUS D. BOWERS

Ccpyrisht. 1905, By Dsaly Story Pub. COY
WOs fair women sat on thesveranda
1 of Anchorage" villa, adding their
quota of beauty and coloring to an ideal
but a matured prototypeof her vivacious
young daughter.
Mrs Grace Bernard did not raise her
eyes from bft of embroidery on which
she was making pretense of working
when she made the simple announcement
! that Mr.. Russell Hudson, an old friend
from the city, was at the Bill0w hotel
for a short stay; and in all probability.
they would see quite a good deal Of
him"
You see, dear" she went ON to explain,
very irdifferently of course, he and
were friends when was young girl
younger even than you, Grace. for was
a mother at your age, and-well,
haven't seen him for 20 years.
"Oh, then he is an elderly man"
"Yes, that is, If you consider me ell
'derly, but" blushing slightly, Il am
only 3S-not SO old. Now l call q
woman"
"Is he married, mother?"
Oh, no. dear-he never married" and
Mrs. Bernard's embroidery silk sud
denly became very much entangled.
Then he must be ugly, poor or bow
legged, for
Grace, what are you talking about?"
Then why didn't he marry?
How should / know? L"
'WelF-settling herself resignedly-
II suppose l can be prepared for week
or two Of boredom. These old bachelors
are not only. .conceited, erratic and over
bearing, but they dangle to girls skirt
like tenacious little sand burs."
We'll, mygdear, you may not find the
sacrifice on your part SO great as you
anticipate" and there was an unusual
ring Of sarcasm in the maternal voice.
He was poor when knew him. but is
quoted in the millions now, and million
aires, you know, can afford toSbe old,
ugly and bow-legged-but he is none Of
these-he is very handsome and"
'sYou forget, mother, you haven't seen
ulm III ~ yodAS' anu 0ioSO Aoo6AoU
merrily.
That's true, but I hope you will be
civil. DEAR" and Mrs. Bernard seemed
suddenly to- discover urgent duties
within doors, and bustled away. leaving
her daughter to gaze dreamily out over
the blue waters of the Atlantic. as they
glistened and ripple in the morning sun
shine. -
She was tall, fair and graceful. with
the expectancy and joyousness OF youth
In face, voice and manner. She was now
what her mother had been 20 years ago.
when she, too, had life lying before her,
with all the snares, thorns and pitfalls
hidden meath the roses. When the world.
once her playground had become her
kingdom. and with the egotism thet is
pardonable in a beautiful, spoilt and
pampered young CIR. .she felt she had but
to stretch forth her hand and gatherpr
reject the desires and opportunities Of
life. Nothing was irnpossible-she had
never been denied Ha1piness and COM
fort. riches and power. we're hers hxs61ht
of beauty and birth, and it would -seem
everything had been made subservient
to her wishes. through mothers love
and fathers gold.
-Reaching Aer own room, Mrs. Bernard
restlessly paced Its length. neryously
clasping and unclasping her hands and
anon laughing softly TO herself.
Grace fears he will burden her with
attenti0ns! She doesn't understand, of
course-but-but what If! oh, mol
am foolish! Positively jealous of my
own child!" -
The greatest battles Of life are not
always fought mid the blare OF trumpet.
the roll Of drum, tae screaming of bul1st
the din Of the cannon's roar. Over
30 years ago young girls tender love
had been arrayed against paternal will.
and with bleeding heart and outraged
privileges, she had been torn from the