The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1904-07-28
His
By n. Louise CumninS
Copyright. 1901, BY 7. c. Mcclure

II Copyright. 1901. BY I. C. Mcclure
Lucy Grierson knocked at the door.
Of her Cousin Royce's ''den," holding
q bundle Of letters and papers which
she had just taken. from the maid. Z.
In answer to deep toned, muffied
''Come in," she entered the snug bach
elor room, with its rows Of bookshelves,
and stood for moment contemplating
the sleek, dark head and square shout.
ders bending over the desk.
He threw an impatient glance over
One shoulder Mt the interruption. but
swung around with Cheering face when,
he saw who it was.
''Say. Luce" he said eagerly, "how's
this for an idea3 The hero Is des-
perately in love with the heroine, who
cares nothing for him. In his despair
he remembers the old college profess
or who always helped him out Of his
dilemmas and forthwith goes to him
for advice. The professor. who is an.
interchangeable microbe hunter and has
been for years trying to discover the
germ Of love, thinks With glee that in
this unusually bad case Is his chance.
After much research be finds the love
germ and carries it carefully to his
laboratory. But sportive' soph lets
1t loose among the co-eds.' with the
disastrous result that every one begins
promiscuously to fall in love with ev-
cry one else. OF course the heroine gets
inoculated and falls in love with the
hero"
"And the professor himself becomes
enamored Of the laundress." she put
in laughirgly.
"Just SO! l was working on his So
lloquy prior to the advent of the love
lorn youth when you came In"
"And of course began at the end, az
usualr'
"Y-yes. But the rest viii come to
me. Here's the last verse anyhow:
II have found the germ Of health.
The germ Of melancholia and paresis,
But my reputation's lost
If can't at any cost.
Describe the germ OF love In my great
thesis.
flows thatY'
"Greatr
She smiled encouragement with ap-
preciatlve eyes and lips, but the light
died from her face as he swung back
to the desk, waving the paper hilari-
ousiy above his head. She bit back
q sigh between her teeth and, laying
the bundle of mail beside him, turned
away.
Don't CO." Royce was bending over
his papers and did not look up.
Wont 1t disturb you If remain?"
"No: 1t will help ME; it always does
think you are my inspiration"
The blood flashed to her face SO sud
denly that she was thankful he did
not look up and see it. She sank into 9
big leather chair before the open fire
and took up a magazine. Speed
Royce's fox terrier, got up from the
rug, stretched himself lazily and jump
ed upon her lap. The young man lift
ed his head and looked across at hel
sideways.
'What picture you maker he sait
meditatively.
The girl gave an unconcerned shrul
to hide the suffocating beating Of hel
heart In her throat. 1t was terrible
to her, the suggestion Of demesticity
in their attitude. and to think 1t mean
nothing to him beyond the fact that IL
the cozy setting of the ''den" she mad,
an artistic picture.
Royce was deep In his work again
scarcely conscious Of the fact, wher
she rose and left the room In answer
to ring at the bell and the maid.
knock. He heard the soft pitpat Of
her feet as she ran upstairs few min
utes later and then the clash Of tn,
front door.
Having finished the professors 80
liloquy he rose and strobe into til,
drawing room Just In time to see Luc!
being helped into high dogcart by
fair faced individual in immaculate
light overcoat and dogskin gloves. TIL
horses paved the air when the diminu
tive tiger left their heads and spran;
into his place. Royce had a glilnps
Of Lucy's bright face as 1t was lifte,
to her companions. How entirely II
her element she looked! He turne,
away from the window, his foot trip
ping in a rug. which he kicked savage
~ back into place. 'Confound thos
things that are always catching in pee
pies feet" Well, here was another da,
wasted. That stun he had written wa
rot He strobe back into his room an
tearing the sheets in two flung then
Into the waste paper basket. Then b
threw himself YEARLY into the chat
which the girl he called cousin, becaus
be had known her all his life, thong
the tie between them was remote, LA
90 lately occupied.
How pretty she had looked sittin
there in the fire light! What could sh
see in that empty headed numsku
that she should care to go driving wit
hint Was she, after all, one of tn
girls to whom q well weighted poke,
book atoned for any mental lack?