The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1905-07-13


began tentatively. Still l would like
to say word in self defense. May IT.
$50 on" said Lady Gatacre coldly.
well, thought the scene demanded
It. It seemed to make it more real. In
everyday life the man would have done
It,"
"Well?" she said in challenge as he
paused.
"And-and so did," he said lamely.
"And that Is your excuseY' she ask
ed, with considerable asperity.
IF I need one, yes" said he.
Lady Gatacre regarded him icily. Her
nose was elevated the fraction Of an
finch.
II suppose you realize fully the EN-
barrassing position you placed me inf'
she said.
"Believe me- 1 didn't intend TO-. he
demonstrated.
"Of course you heard, that very au-
dible litter in the audience7' she went
on.
! He nodded
'It was none of their business" he
complained
IT." she said quickly, 'you hadn't
made it so apparent; if You hadn't
paused, debated as it were. it wouldn't
have been quite SO conspicuous. But
when you stopped and looked about
and the-and them
Kissed YOU" he supplied, almost tri-
umphantly.
ooh, it was too CHASTITY evidentst that
it was impromptu," she flushed.
II was perfectly willing to rehearse
that piece of business" he suggested.
ut was unfair Of you," she said hot
~. Eve agreed to leave 1t out-that 1t
was ridiculous and unnecessary"
ut became quite necessary when you
appeared In that gown. I'm only hu-
man. you know"
"You are quito inhuman sometimes
she observed.
II couldn't help IT," he said with
affect humility.
"Your only excuse seems to bela re
tterated plea of irresponsibility." said
she.
Sir Charles scratched his head\ and
smiled hopefully.
II am an irresponsible party, that's
a fact" said he. Look here, II say
I'm sorry, do you forgive me?"
"Sorry for what? For-for''-
"For putting you in an embarrassing
position; for the other, never"'
Lady Gatacre frowned and flushed.
/ You'll have to be sorry for both be.
fore you're forgiven" she said.
'Then shall die unabsolved," he de.
elared with f1nality.
ut seems to me you're making bad
matter worse" said she.
well, turn about is fair play" he
replied. THAT is just what you've
been doing the past three weeks
II fear don't follow you" said
Lady Gatacre.
when we started rehearsing this
time" said he, r was beginning to fall
IN love with you That was the bad
natter Since we've been Yehearsdne
you have completed what was already
begun. That's the worse"
He looked at her steadily. Lady Cat
acre studied the toe OF her shoe. He
could see her cheeks were crimson.
! THAT was why kissed you as I did
in the garden scene," he said.
/ Lady Gatacre did not deign to look
up from her shoe.
"Are you really very nngryT he
asked.
Every" she replied.
! He slid down from his perch and
stood beside her.
"What are the specific causes Of your
angerT he asked.
Everything" she said vaguely.
| Are you angry because SAID
loved you" he questioned
She was silent. IA
"Are your" he persisted !
Still she was silent.
Sir Charles permitted himself GOV.
ert smile.
IF it's only the kiss"e be began
She sat up suddenly.
1T was the way you did I'll" she
flashed, and her eyes again sought the
Interesting shoe.
1.-THE way I did It." he chuckled. II
thfnk-well, I hadn't rehearsed 1t, you
KNOW think with few rehearsals I
could do it better"
He came close beside her and laid a
hand on her hair.
Il want to rehearse it through all my
lifetime" he said earnestly.
He waited patiently. Presently Lady
Gatacre looked up at him and smiled.
You-you really do need rehearsing
IN that lihe,' she said.
But the villain and the pair Of Sec
ondary lovers were lacking to com.
plete the tableau.
FORBES DWIGHT.