The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1905-03-09

Frank Carlyle looked down into the
fair, sweet face close beside him. Bet
ty looked at Jack Winslow. He was
frowning. Then. turning her face once
more toward Frank and looking mis-
chievously sideways at Jack, she said.
WHO knows?'
Frank laughed and looked at his
watch.
"Half past A." said he. "Well,
must be off. If you were going" look
ing first at Betty. then at Jack, "why,
It's so beastly unpleasant l thought
perhaps might give you liti in the
carriage" Jack declined with thanks.
A deep dimple shadowed Betty's pink
cheek for moment. Then, looking de-
mureiy at Jack, she answered Franks
question.
Il would be ever SO much obliged to
you if you would just drop me at my
door, Mother scolded because l came
out, and it will appease her wrath
somewhat to know that l came home
without being touched by the rain"
Jack said nothing, but his face was
very pale when Betty gave him her
hand ut the carriage door. Frank tried
to coax him to change his mind, but
Jack was firm, because Betty did not
second the invitation. Just as the car
riage door was about to be closed Bet
| ty leaned out.
"Oh, Mr. Winslow, have decided to
20 to the Freeman dance Friday night"
| Then the carriage rolled away. When
| they arrived at Betty's home neither
Frank Carlyle nor his companion saw
the figure standing in the shadow of Il
tree on the opposite side of the street,
and sprang again into his carriage Jack
Winslow walked away with sigh Of
relief
Anyway" murmured he, "she didn't
ask him to come in.'
Friday night and the Freeman ball
came at last Betty stood before her
mirror looking at her reflection. The
white null gown, gift from her aunt
who rarely gave her niece anything
worth mentioning, was very becoming
to the girl She had arranged her hail
after the style of Mr.. Elfland's famous
picture, and she smiled as size looked
ut the change it made in her appear
ance.
''If I weren't quite so pink and round
l might look something like her, but
she was pale and sad. Somehow l an
not sad don't know why, but fee
happy, wonderfully happy"
Turning away from the mirror, sh'
was just about to wrap herself in he
cloak when her sister entered the room
carrying two narrow, white boxes. Bet
ty dropped her cloak, took the boxes
and. opening one Of them, lifted out I
deep, rich red rose, fresh and fragrant
proudly dropping It's heavy head an,
filling the room with it's odor. Betty ex
Gminel the box. but there was no card
Laying the rose upon the table ant
turning to the other box, she lifte'
from Its depths a long stemmed. hal
blown pink rose. delicate and yet won
derfully sweet. This rose was ais
without card.
How strange" murmured the gir
that they should both have had til
same idea"
For moment Betty stood silent. Tn
two roses lay upon the table. Student
she heard her mothers voice calling t
her that it was time to start Wrappfn
her cloak about her, Betty turned an
ran lightly down the stairs A momel
later the sound of carriage wheel
rumbled along the street.
, But the roses? There was only on
rose now lying upon the table. onl
, one, but its heavy perfume filed th
whole room. and it's heart glowed like
great ruby.