The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1905-01-12

cOuntenance Of TamaSa until at last,
Just after they had passed the sullen
Miguel, her resentment got the better
Of her tenderness, and she turned with
sharp reprimand.
But Fana 1ad not yet raised her eyes
from her feet, and the consequence of
Tamasa's decking the regular motion
Of the chair brought them together
and swayed the bunch of bananas from
its delicate balance. Fana tried to
right herself, but in vain. A moment
later there was a loud splash in the
water twenty feet below, accompanied
by scream from Tamasa. who was
peering down with wild, frightened
eyes.
Miguel was not ten feet away, but
his face was sullen with resentment
there were a swift rush from the hold
and second splash, and Rafo's head
rose to the surface with a merry shout
Of encouragement.
A rope was dropped from the YES
sel and even as Rafos left arm en-
UP and caught It, Then he whispered
something to her, and, with quick
intuition and courage equal to his
own, she placed her arms over his
shoulders SO as not to impede his
movements. and then, hand over hand,
he went up the rope until he could
swing himself across the gang plank.
It was a rare exhibition of nerve and
muscle, and the spectators sent up an
involuntary shout of appreciation-a
except Miguel and Tamasa.
The old woman's face was drawn
and tremulous, but the look she cast
upon Rafo was as black as ever.
'Come, Fana," she whispered hoarse-
ly, 1--WE will not work any more today.
We will go home and rest
But Fana was leaning against Rafo,
smiling happily. Instead Of recover
ing from fright she was perfectly
calm. Those few moments coming up
the rope, borne by the strong, confident
Rafo, had been the happiest Of her life.
And now, upheld by his encircling arm,
IL
and her mother, too-were looking.
"Fanav' sharply. You must not
stand hike that It is not proper. !
RilP'-
Let the little one rest" interrupted
Rafo pleasantly. Don't you see how
weak she is. And like it."
"You-like itv' screamed Tamasa,
losing control Of herself entirely. You
you nineteen cent man! You grinner
and jester! Oh, Miguel, come here!'
But, instead of Miguel, another man,
brisk young Englishman, pushed his
way across the gang plank toward
them
'Rafo," he called imperiously. Here,
quick! | want to see you. I'm in
hurry. Oh, there you are" as he saw
the group. well, I'm sorry to disturb
you, but every second is precious to me
now. l have an imperative summons
to England to settle up an estate ard
will have to be gone two years or more
l want you to take care Of my tinca
until | return. I've had you work for
me, Rafo, and know you are perfectly
honest and trustworthy. What do you
say? Quick! l must get my things
ready and take this boat back. You
will know how to cut and ship the
bananas, and will give you $50
month and pay all the expenses. And,
oh, yes'-as he noticed for the first
time the figure encircled by Rafo's
arm-'this will be good time for you
to get married. There is comfortable
house on the plantation you can live in.
What do you say?
Rafo made him a low bow, show
ing his teeth. Isl, senor," he answer
ed, 1--WE will be married in twenty
minutes, and you can leave in thirty
as soon as you have kissed the bride"
And then his merry, infectious laugh
rang out SO heartily that all had to
join In, even Tamasa.