The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1905-11-02
LITTLE
LANTERNS of
THE SOUL
By SIDNEY b. COLE
Copyright, 1905, by T. c. Mcclure

shaded lamp dimly lighted the big, lux-
urious room. Outside the last traces Of
the soft Italian twilight We're fading in
the west, and the first Of the myriad
stars were blinking, uncertain yellow
dots in the blue velvet sky.
Orne senior lifted his piercing black
eyes and looked at his son searchingly.
You're a common neer do well. he
burst out, "a gambler, loafer, rake.
You squander fortune at the gaming
tables and come whining to me for
more money to lose. Get your money
where you lost it. I'm through with
you"
Young Orne drew himself up. ''Fa-
ther''- he began.
I'm done with you," the older man
thundered. II wash my hands of you.
As God is my judge, I'll cut you off
without cent Go out into the world
and stand on your own feet or sink
into the mire Of ruin you've been delv-
ing in. It's all one to me-"
Young Orne strode silently to the
door, turned, hesitated. then hurried
through the hall into the soft night
without. The last streak of red was
gone from the west. Far below him at
the foot of the slope the little village
was agleam with lights. He noticed
that even in the trees tiny luminous
pin points of light shone steadily. Then
he remembered that it was st. Johns
nd hof iul,f n 0,.f Of
| the fiesta.
He descended the steps and strobe
across the terraces and through the
villa gardens. AS he came to a group
Of olive trees just beyond the sundial
he saw dimly a girlish figure standing
beneath one Of the trees. There was
the rasp Of a match, q tiny Chinese
lantern was lighted. and in its mellow
glow he saw plainly the girls upturned
face as she reached up to fasten the
lantern to low hanging branch. II
was Ethelyn Hope. the daughter OF
his fathers oldest friend, who had made
her home with the Ornes since her par
ents' death. That was years back
when Ethelyn was a little girl il
frocks. Now she was eighteen, tall
graceful and sweet alike in feature ant
in temper.
Young Orne came into the little circle
Of light cast by the lantern. There wa'
an old stone seat beneath that particu
lar olive tree, and he sank into it.
Celebrating he asked.
eyes," she said, pointing to the LIN
tern. ''It is little lantern of th
soul"
"A what?" he asked in laughing per
plexity.
"a little lantern of the SOUL" she re
peated. You hang them OH olive tree
and say little prayers for the soul
they represent l heard rietro an
the cook talking about them today.
made them explain"
II see," said he. who's soul
this?" And he pointed to the lantern.
: II haven't decided as yet" she sait
: and added quickly, Il think it will b
! yours
) "By all means let it be So he al
( auiesced. Heaven knows I'm sadl
in need Of pious prayers just now
/ Are you in trouble?" she asket
e Have you and Uncle Orne been qua
e reling again!"
1 He smiled with ironic bitterness
3 "Oh, there's been a slight til!'' he sal
easily.
l ..That is bad" she said, with read
n sympathy.
: 1T ended by-by-well, to use bo
9 words, by his kicking me OUT said h
Her face became serious. He didn
d really mean 1t, Of course. He'll be SO
ry before morning."
:. II hope So" he said. "You can let II
know IL he is," he ended lightly.
II let you know p she said, frightent
by his tone. You're not-not real
going?"
Orne's face darkened. All the ra
. king bitterness his fathers words h;
inspired was upon him again.
1t 81 may be all he called me al
more" he said, with an ominous cali
u, ness, "but still have some pride LEI
have to be shown the door but once
n The girls hands tre'nbled violent
as she leaned against the olive trt
ID Orne, with his head bowed sullenly, d
n. not notice this. When he raised |
[e eyes she was still leaning against t
10 tree. He saw a strange new light
4 her eyes, and all at once he realiZ
er that she was no longer child. but
woman and that her wOmans hef
lg was his. The fact that there was 10
r. in his own heart was as much of
r. shock to him as the discovery of Il
answering love In hers. He could ha
he cried out with the Joy and pain OF
He rose to his feet pale and shaken.
ar II must be going" he said roughly
ID: "Going?" she asked blankly. "Goi
nd where:''
He laughed harshly. 1--WE all
b. world to choose FROM" he said bitter
to He drew her gently to him. For {
ce moment her head rested on his sho
der and her soft brown hair brusl
m his Gu eek.
en-
Orne senior had long entertained
idea. 1t was that some day his
~. would steady down and marry Ethel
D." But, being a wise old man and KIN
at ing too well the dangers Of ma
Gle making, he said nothing Of this cit
to to his son or his ward. Now as he
ce- in the library after the stormy in
view with his son he felt that his ho
Ing had received their deathblow. Fo
en- long time he. sat by the red sha
lamp, pondering deeply. Then he !
ers and went into the gardens.
He walked rapidly up and down