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


introduced to his rival and greatly
puzzled Beatrice Derwent by the con-
descending friendliness of his manner.
He seemed almost to pity the foreigner
and acted more like the successful
suitor than the rejected. 1t was at a
reception at the Derwents and as he
made his adieux he whispered to Be-
atrice:
Il have arranged that joust with tho
duke"
And she looked at him aghast and
replied earnestly:
George! Don't you dare make .
scandal"
All the next day she puzzled as to
what Georges mysterious remark por-
tended.
A few days later shortly after six
o'clock in the evening she was sum-
and found George Jones.
There's somebody at the Milwaukee
depot who wants to see you on very i'm
portant matter" he exclaimed, breath
lessly. THE train goes at seven o'clock
and she did not have time to come
here to see you, and asked me to come
and get you. There's carriage wait
ing at the door. Just throw on your
cloak and come on. There's just
time"
Goodness gracious! what is 1t all
about?" she gasped. who is it?"
II don't know what 1t is about" he
| replied mysteriously, "but / suspect
and know you will be sorry if you
don't go. AS to who it Is, promised
not to tell you, but it is a good friend
| of yours Come on, there's barely time
She wants ten or Is minutes to talk to
you"
"But it is SO funny" said the girl.
"Well, suit yourself" replied Jones
stiffening with dignity. "It's nothing
to me. I'm sure I've done my duty
| and he buttoned his coat.
| Curiosity shone in the girls eyes.
"Wilf it take long?" she asked, irres.
olutely. 1--WE haven't dined yet"
THE carriage can be back here be-
fore $780," he replied.
''Well, it's lark anyway" she said
and picking up cloak and hat fol
lowed Jones to the carriage.
i AS they entered. her brother, whit
stood on the steps, shouted:
Hello, Betty, where going?"
ITO the depot" replied Beatrice
Back in an hour"
The boy shouted again and tn
driver pulled up his horses, alread,
started
what did she say?" Beatrice hear
Leo inquire.
"I'll be back in an hour" the drive
reDlied.
They arrived at the depot at tel
minutes before seven. the carriag
having been delayed at several corners
Jones was worrying and pulling hi
watch repeatedly. They hurried to tn
awaiting train and as they entered tn
Pullman, Jones shouted to the porter
What time to you start?"
Beatrice did not catch the answel
= but Jones repeated it.
. Seven fifteen. Oh, we are all righ
! thought it was seven"
He conducted her to vacant sea
1 looked puzzled and said: Here
4 her luggage, but where is she? Sit sti
t a minute. I will find herr"
a He was gone nearly ten minutes an
q returning said:
o "She's in the other car. Well ha,
8 to wait a minute until she ge'
. through talking with somebody. Sa.
it will be in two minutes and she ca
e tell her story to you in five. So we
have plenty of time"
d Then Jones asked her somethir
:. about golf and they plunged into a di
d cussion of a recent game. Present
d she looked up startled:
e "Why the train is moving" she sal
:" $50 it is," replied Jones, cheerful
e looking at his watch. ITS only Sc
It en-, guess they're going to switch
e onto another track. Fifteen minut
IS before train time She'll be here in
It minute" Then he plunged again in
$, golf talk. Presently Beatrice stops
e. and exclaimed:
r why, George. they amt switchil
h. at all; the trains going faster eve
ID minute"
y, "I1l see about It." replied Geore
70 promptly rising and walking to t
;" door. He was gone nearly ten mi
1t stes, during which she watched in d
ly may the lights of the city whiz pa
ID Before he returned she was thorough
,e angry at his delay and generally frigl
if ened at the situation. Her mysterio
re friend had not appeared.
Id Presently Jones returned. calm, SIN
ing, unperturbed.
rs WELL" she demanded, whats
l. natter"
J. Nothing" he replied. seating hi
in self. There was mistake about t
train time. was right at first.
was seven. not 7:15."
id what are We going to do?" S
ir gasped in dismay. Where are "
to Where is the woman who sent
r me?"
It Now, Beatrice, be perfectly cal
and I'll tell you about it, he repli
L. deliberately. You see. there amt a
woman. In fact. / didn't tell you tn.
ur sas-although confess | intimal
t. It. It's q man."
:. avxyhotyn che AxcIaimed "Who