The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1905-01-05

scorn. ''It's very unique excuse she
said. "but it happens that the name
was written there some time ago, ana
I do not think it happens to be yours.
The gentleman TO whom this belongs is
out west somewhere, and | had the
loan of it from his sister l am taking
it to her now"
Preston suddenly became aware that
the girl was very pretty. He sat up
straighter and began to be interested.
"Well, well.' he exclaimed cheerfully.
Il am glad that you are friend of my
sister Lonesome work. travelling alone.
isn't it."
Miss Vincent gasped. .'See here" she
said decidedly. you have been very
annoying ever since we left Washing
ton. This subterfuge of taking my
magazine and pretending that it is
yours is very clever. but must decline
to hold any further conversation with
you. Unless you Immediately turn
your seat around and refrain from adj
dressing me or even staring at me
shall appeal tC the passengers. There
are some men in the ear
The stress she placed upon the
'men' made Preston vince, but he
would not give up SO easily. LET me
show you,' he said, drawing some pa
pers from his pocket, that | am really
Paul Preston"
will you turn around, she de
maaded sharply, "or will you force me
to make scene?' Preston sank weak
ly back in his seat and wheeled it
about until it face,, the forward end Of
the ear. The Pullman was one of those
built with bay windows, and tiny
strips of looking glass We're 50 placed
between the windows as to enable him
TO see behind him. Preston watched the
clean cut profile ;lttentively.
This young woman interested him.
He was not much used to feminine so
ciety. What with his self absorption
and his nearsighteJnesS he was scarce
| ly fitted TO be, ladies' man. and he
had permitted lis business TO complete
ly absorb him. Now lie glued his eyes
he had found himself in situation
| from which he was unable to eXtricate
himself. HIS sister Mabel had been
visiting in Washington. lie must have
given her the magazine and she III turn
| have loaned it to friend. 1t would
| be easy enough to find out from her to
whom it had been loaned, but mean
while tie state of affairs was decidedly
| unpleasant. He had been accused of
| flirting, 4 thing he most cordially de
tested and this resoIute young woman
! absolutely refused to permit him to
make any explanation.
When the train reached New York
he took one of the downtown ferries.
/ going direct to his office, and it was not
until dinner time that he met the mem
| prise-ond hers-he met Ruth Vincen.
formally. 1t was an awkward mo-
ment. and if he had felt i'll at ease that
afternoon his revenge was ample. Miss
Vincent was profuse in her apologies
he was elaborate in his explanations
and it was not until dessert was reach
ed that they felt that a treaty of peace
had been effected
1t was not until two weeks after that
that the final treaty was entered into
and Ruth promised that she would be
come Mrs. Preston and see that Lis
Observation-Disclosures did not lead him in
to further trouble.
Now when he travels she accompa
nies him, and you could net induce hin
to lay claim to any periodical unless
she first assures him that it is all right
He says that having made one very sat
isfactory mistake he has no desire t.
spoil the record. Ruth, though laugh
ing, knows that had it not been fo'
the contretemps he would never hay,
noticed his sisters guest sufficiently II
fall in love with her.